Meeting documents

Communities Scrutiny Sub-Committee (DCC)
Monday 2 June 2003


            Meeting: Communities Scrutiny Sub-Committee (County Hall, Durham - Committee Room 1a - 02/06/2003 01:00:00 AM 30/12/1899 10:00:00 AM)

                  Item: A7 Work Programme


         

Scrutiny Sub-Committee for Promoting Strong, Healthy and Safe Communities

2 June 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 to 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. The Mental Health project continues and will shortly be considering evidence from young people with mental health needs.

4. The initial meeting of the Working Group looking at sickness absence levels in Social Services Department has recently been held. The Human Resources Committee has an important role to play in monitoring sickness and members of the Committee are involved in this review.

5. An issue has been raised recently by Members about unauthorised Travellers’ encampments. This would encompass the remit of both the Communities and Environment Scrutiny Sub-Committees. Members of the Sub-Committee may wish to consider, in the light of the work programme, whether this is an issue about which members of both Sub-Committees should receive further information.

6. The Aids and Adaptations Review will be held on 1 July, when stakeholder groups will be present. Whilst all Members of the Communities Sub-Committee will be invited to the Review, any of the remaining non-executive Members who are interested in this issue are welcome to attend.

Recommendations

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

Contact: Tom Bolton Tel: 0191 383 3149


To view the Work Programme please click the attachment in blue at the foot of this page (under attachments). Alternatively please refer to hard copy records held in the Corporate and Legal Services Department or the County Record Office.


PERFORMANCE - KEY ISSUES

Lower quartile performance on:
· BV 56 - speed of delivery of aids and equipment
· BV 127 - violent crimes.
COMPREHENSIVE PERFORMANCE SELF ASSESSMENT

PRIORITIES

The main areas have been:-
· Supporting and protecting vulnerable adults, young people and children
· Helping to reduce crime and fear of crime
· Helping 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.


IMPROVEMENT PLANNING PRIORITIES FOLLOWING CPA
· Focus on services for older people (Service priority)
· Further development of support for LSPs, looking to increase community engagement and involvement to improve the capacity of communities to participate in democratic and service delivery processes (Corporate priority).





Attachments


 Item 7.doc