Issue - meetings

A total period of 15 minutes is allocated for members of the public to make a statement(s) on any matter that falls within the remit of the Committee.

Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes, but the Chairman will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned, where there are a number of speakers.

Note:  In order for officers to undertake any background research, it would be helpful if members of the public notified the Scrutiny officer listed at the foot of the agenda, at least one working day before the meeting with brief details of the matter to be covered.

Mr. Fagan, a parent of a disabled child who had been using the Langley Unit as a facility for respite, attended to express his concern over the future of respite provision in Cheshire East and the future of the staff employed at the Langley Unit.

Mr. Fagan explained that the families with children involved in the Langley Unit had been told prior to Christmas 2010 that they would have replacement provision provided but it appeared that this promise had been reneged on. He therefore wanted reassurance that alternative provision would be provided for the families affected.

Cath Knowles responded by firstly making clear that the closure of the Langley Unit was a corporate decision due to health and safety issues rather than a social services decision as a result of budget cuts. It was agreed that it was very unfortunate that the Langley Unit had not been able to stay open long enough to provide an overlap whilst moves towards a personalisation agenda were completed. It was asserted that all efforts had been made to keep the facility open for as long as possible and that the service was putting together personal plans for the children and young people affected as an interim measure. Mr. Fagan was also reassured that the service was working closely with Human Resources in attempt to retain the skilled staff based at the Langley Unit. It was also accepted that the service would work harder to communicate these key messages to all staff so that the information that parents receive would be consistent and clear.

RESOLVED –

That an item on the future of alternative provision following the closure of the Langley Unit be placed on the agenda of the next meeting.