Meeting documents

            Meeting: Communities Scrutiny Sub-Committee (County Hall, Durham - Committee Room 1A - 03/03/2003 12:00:00 AM 30/12/1899 10:00:00 AM)

                  Item: A10 Work Programme

         

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Scrutiny Sub-Committee for Promoting Strong, Healthy and Safe Communities 3 March 2003 Work Programme

Report of Head of Overview and Scrutiny

Purpose of the Report

1. To up-date Members of the Sub-Committee about the work programme for the Sub-Committee.

Background

2. The Work Programme provides the opportunity plan the work of the Sub-Committee. The programme, however, does change in response to new issues which arise. The Work Programme, therefore, provides a guide in terms of forward planning and project management. The timing of projects in the programme constantly needs to be adjusted.

Current position

3. A progress report about the Mental Health project is included on the agenda. There is also an update about progress towards reducing child road deaths and injuries which forms one of the elements of Target 8 within the Local Public Service Agreement.

4. One issue, which arose from consideration of the budget submissions, was sickness absence in the Social Services Department. The Human Resources Committee has an important role to play in monitoring sickness and if the Sub-Committee wished to consider this issue in more depth, consultation with this Committee would be essential.

5. Following the Comprehensive Performance Assessment, a key priority will be services for older people in relation to Social Services.

6. The Best Value Review of service provision to support and protect vulnerable children and young people is underway. It is looking particularly at concerns surrounding the outcomes for young people aged 14-16.

Recommendations

7. You are recommended to consider and note the current Work Programme.

Contact: Tom Bolton Tel: 0191 383 3506

CALENDAR	PROJECT	REVIEW
2002
January
February
March
April	Carrier bag culture
May		Strategy for Learning Disability
June
July		Investing in Modern Services for Older People
August
September		Performance Management - Social ServicesAids and Adaptations
October
November	Mental Health Seminar	Performance Management - Social Services
December		Investing in Modern Services for Older People
2003
January	Mental Health 16-25 Yr Olds
February
March		Regular Performance ManagementReducing Child Road Deaths and Injuries
April
May
June

PERFORMANCE - KEY ISSUES

Lower quartile performance on:

· BV 56 - speed of delivery of aids and equipment

· BV 127 - violent crimes.



MENU OF TOPICS RAISED BY MEMBERS

· Administrative arrangements in the Social Services Department.

· Annual Social Services Review.

· Children’s Services.

· Provision/facilities available to those with adult learning disabilities.

· Improving services through integration with health.

· Services to children with a disability.

· Measuring performance of services.

· Policy issues


COMPREHENSIVE PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT

PRIORITIES

The main areas have been:-

· Supporting and protecting vulnerable adults, young people and children
· Helping to reduce crime and fear of crime

An added priority this year is to:

· Help to improve the health of local people and make County Durham a safer place



AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT

· Enhancing support for children in care, including the review of child protection cases, better health care assessment, providing personal education plans, improving educational attainment and increasing the level of adoption, the latter two being LPSA targets

· Achieving stability in the residential and nursing care market through agreeing payment rates and arrangements for regular review

· Developing whole systems approach to intermediate care services, including improving hospital discharge arrangements

· Better use of community buildings and compliance with DDA access requirements; and

· Improving road safety in relation to child deaths and casualties, which is the focus of one of the LPSA targets.


Attachments

 Item No. 10.doc