Agenda item

To consider the results of the public consultation on proposed changes, and the proposals in the Business Case. 

(A copy of the full petition is available on request and will be available at the meeting).

Consideration was given to the results of the public consultation on proposed changes to enhance facilities and to transfer some day and short break services, the aim of which was to improve services and match supply with demand.  The report included a detailed business case for the proposals made now made.

In developing the final proposals it was stressed that Officers had been proactive in their engagement with the community, had listened to the wide range of opinions expressed by the public during the consultation, and had incorporated them where practicable into the final recommendations; this included a full debate on the petition from KafKa (Knutsford Action for Knutsford Area) by the Council at its meeting on 23 February 2012.

The Adult Services Portfolio Holder gave a detailed resume of the process leading to the proposals now under consideration, the aim being to provide the best possible level of adult social care provision with facilities that were fit for this day and age, that those services were affordable, sustainable and in the right places. 

Councillors welcomed the very comprehensive consultation exercise that had been carried out and thanked both the Officers concerned and the public for their extensive involvement.  All the responses received during the consultation exercise had been looked at in depth as evidenced by the time it took to analyse and evaluate them, and to the changes made to the original proposals.

RESOLVED

1. That the importance be recognised of ensuring that the outcome of the public consultation was carefully considered in the evaluation of the proposals in the business case. 

2. That approval be given to the recommendations in the business case (Appendix B of the report) summarised along with the key considerations as follows:

KNUTSFORD/WILMSLOW/POYNTON

Overall 23 options were considered. There was additional consultation specifically related to the Knutsford developments and the original proposal to close the Stanley Centre and to re-provide locally has been modified to retain local services whilst releasing Stanley House.  Work continues to engage with Health regarding future opportunities with local development on the Bexton Court site.

a)     Invest in new Changing Places facilities and enhanced lifestyle facilities at Wilmslow Leisure Centre;

b)     Separate the Stanley Centre from Stanley House and make improvements to bathroom facilities. This will permit Stanley House to be returned to the corporate landlord property pool whilst retaining local Learning Disability day care facilities;

c)      Confirm the permanent closure of Bexton Court acknowledging that local demand for dementia respite is adequately provided for by the independent sector.  Work with partners from Health to assess the future usage of the site;

a)     Invest in modifications to Redesmere to develop it as a multi purpose centre and permit the transfer of Learning Disability day care services from Dean Row.  Subsequently to declare Dean Row surplus to requirements and return it to the corporate landlord property pool.  The longer term goal is to move as soon as possible towards an integrated service which includes an integrated SMART, Frontline and Independent Living Centre (ILC) alongside the Lifestyle developments.

MACCLESFIELD

The alternative, more cost-effective, proposals for Hollins View now avoid disruption to customers during developments and significantly enhance local dementia services by providing a separate day centre provision which increases capacity and retains flexibility for future developments on that site.

b)     Invest in new Changing Places facilities and enhanced lifestyle facilities at Macclesfield Leisure Centre;

c)      Convert the current Youth Offending Team building at Hollins View into specialist dementia day care facilities with secure garden areas. This will permit some local customers to transfer from Mayfields; 

d)     Transfer day care services from Peatfields to Mayfields, declare Peatfields surplus to requirements and return it to the corporate landlord property pool.

CONGLETON

Following consultation feedback the original proposals to provide additional complex Learning Disability (LD) respite at Mountview as an alternative to Queens Drive have been reconsidered. Therefore significant respite over-capacity will remain and further work will be done to explore options including Carter House where short-term investment is required. This work will need to examine independent sector alternative provision, the potential future use of Hollins View, and will require close monitoring of all service usage for the immediate future. The high level of demand for dementia care in this area is acknowledged.

e)     Investment in Mountview to convert some existing Older People (OP) bedrooms into 10 additional dementia respite beds;

f)        Closure of offices at 48/54 Lawton Street;

g)     Possible investment in Carter House for the essential improvements to make it fit for purpose.

CREWE

Following consultation feedback the original proposals to provide additional complex Learning Disability respite at Mountview as an alternative to Queens Drive have been reconsidered and supplemented with proposals at the more local Lincoln House.

h)     Investment in Lincoln House to create 5 additional Learning/Physical Disability respite beds;

i)       Transfer of respite services from Queens Drive to both Lincoln House and Mountview, the subsequent closure of Queens Drive and its return to the corporate landlord property pool.

1. That approval be given to the renegotiation of the Service Level Agreement with Care4CE realigned with the anticipated future demand and incorporating appropriate staff consultations.   Whilst these proposals will have a significant impact on the current double running costs (services being commissioned by individuals personal budgets in the independent sector and continued surplus services remaining within internal provision via Care4CE) it is anticipated that there will continue to be some surplus capacity within Care4CE both in the short and medium term. The continual review of capacity will be needed both in the medium and longer term.

2. That it be confirmed that that the Places and People Directorates will work together to support the alternative, but minimal, transport provisions that might be required as a result of these proposed changes.

3. That approval be given to the joint exploration of additional Lifestyle bases in line with the positive endorsements of the Lifestyle concept received during the consultation, working with the Places Directorate.

4. That as part of the next phase of the review, the exploration of further solutions for delivery of Complex Learning Disability respite be endorsed, to possibly include additional development of the Hollins View site and options for services currently delivered from Warwick Mews.  Additionally this work to incorporate the changing levels of Intermediate Care demand and possible developments on the Tatton site. Any proposals would be subject to consultation and future Cabinet decisions.

5. That other ongoing work with Local Engagement Groups and other partners be endorsed, exploring future service developments and working to promote the development of a mixed economy for service provision providing greater choice and flexibility for customers.  The outcome of this will result in further proposals being presented to Cabinet at a future date.