Meeting documents

Apologies were received from Rob-Michael Phillips, Neil Oldfield, Daniel Herbert and Jacci Fowler.

Of the meeting held on 15 May 2013 to be agreed as a correct record

The minutes of the meeting held on 15 May 2013 were agreed as a correct record.

Presentation from Mike Walsh, LATC Consultant

Mike Walsh was welcomed to the meeting and gave a presentation on the Local Authority Trading Company.  He referred to the changes in Social Care to personalised and self-directed support.  There is a legal issue in that neither those having direct payments or self funders are able to buy services from the County Council. There is a need to find a way to overcome this.   in 2012 a soft market test was undertaken in relation to some services, which received a muted response.  Ernst & Young was asked to carry out an options appraisal the outcome of which was the suggestion to set up a Local Authority Trading Company (LATC).  This is in line with national policy for County Councils to be commissioners of services and not providers.  The following services will be part of the LATC and form the basis for the new company at a total cost of £8m:

·         Day Opportunities Services, including OPMH Day Services

·         Respite (Seeleys House)

·         Laundry Service

·         The new Reablement Service

This way forward was also in line with the Council’s need for financial savings outlined in their medium term plan and Cabinet agreed to implement this from 1 October.

The County Council is the 100% shareholder in the LATC but the company is independent of the Council.  Services can be sold to those with private income and services can also be sold to other authorities. However, any services have to be part of what the County Council would normally provide.

It was noted that service providers are often the subject of savings and the LATC will stop those cuts continuing and also achieve sustainability.  It can compete for business or take on new services and service users.  Savings will be achieved but there would be no reduction in the amount or quality of service.

One benefit to the Council might be achieving a dividend from any profit.  The Business Plan is based on gaining additional work and income from other services, whilst having a contract with the County Council.  There would be no change in what people are already getting, i.e. it will be the same staff providing the same service.

With regard to staffing, 280 staff will be transferring and will be TUPE’d across on the same terms and conditions. The formal consultation is under way and staff have been talking to service users and carers about the changeover.  Communication will take place with all stakeholders and a letter will be sent out explaining all the changes.

There was a need to look at how service users and carers can take part in governance of the LATC and Mike Walsh asked for members’ comments/views about how they can play a role in this and influence the work.

A Board of Directors will be set up comprising, Chairman, Managing Director and Finance Director, as well as three non-Executive Directors.  This may grow over time.  Non-executive directors will be non-remunerative and only the Chairman will be paid.  A Scrutiny Liaison Group will be looking  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

At the last meeting it was agreed that the Plan would be broken down into sections and discussed in greater details.  This meeting will look at Commissioning and Community Engagement.  A copy of the plan is attached for information.

At the last meeting, it was agreed that the Integrated Plan would be brokown into its objectives and one section would be discussed at each meeting. 

Community Engagement

The Chairman welcomed to the meeting Simon Garwood, Community Links Officer.

Prevention Matters is a partnership programme between BCC, NHS, District Councils and the voluntary sector, funded by NHS and BCC.

Simon gave a presentation on the role of the Community Links Officers, which included:

·         The main drivers for the model. These were an ageing population, reduced budgets from central government and changes to the social fabric of communities.

·         It aims to support vulnerable adults. Whilst the primary cohort will be supporting those people with medium to high needs who are not currently eligible for adult social care with low level support to help them maintain their independence, there is a secondary group made up of (a) those with lower needs and (b) those with higher needs already in receipt of care who may be able to regain their independence with a little bit of extra help.

·         Key areas for maximum impact will be reducing social isolation, promoting volunteering and good neighbourliness and expanding informal services that provide low level support.

·         The key principles behind the work: Intelligence, bridging, connecting, maximising existing resources and motivating and enabling.

·         How the Community Links Officer work: Mobile and flexible in the community linking with the voluntary and community sector, district councils and community leaders.

The CLO will work in the community with existing volunteer groups, as well as recruiting new volunteers. It was suggested that this could be difficult because people are now working longer. Young people as volunteers was also raised and Simon said he has previously worked on intergenerational projects and there could be benefits. 

Steven Archibald referred to the role of the Community Practice Worker, who can refer vulnerable people and the need for GPs to be aware of them.   Community Practice Workers were attached to GP surgeries and will play a role in placing people with services, who may need support in becoming less marginalised and eventually needing more intense support. The CLO can work with the CPW by putting them in touch with other groups.  Steven said the job of the CLO was more challenging in making this happen.  Simon said there were groups of people in the community who were not recognised but had a great role to play.

With regard to providing information to the CPWs about their area Simon said he planned to meet with the CPWs in his area on a fortnightly basis to provide and receive updates. The CPWs will be visiting vulnerable people in their homes, working with them for a period of time, until they were successfully engaged in the community.  Currently, across the County, there were 7 CLOs and 14 CPWs.  They are allocated to CCG locality areas and linked with GP surgeries.  In Simon’s Area in North Bucks there are seven surgeries, covered by two CPWs.  Simon agreed to send a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The minutes from the last meeting of the EPB were not yet available. 

Debi Game referred to the workshop being co-ordinated by herself and Rob Michael Phillips and Kurt Moxley had agreed to provide funding to support the event.

Action:  Kurt Moxley

In further discussion members agreed on the need to engage more with younger people and how this could be done on a flexible basis.  Also noted was the perception of schizophrenia versus bi polar disorder and the sensitivities of the police in dealing with this issue.  It was agreed that prevention work would help to keep people well.

Pat Milner informed members that Oxfordshire was co-ordinating two workshops on the Third Sector and one would be held in Buckinghamshire on 2 September.  Rob Michael Phillips wold be attending and it was suggested that Debi Game also be invited.

Any Other Business

The Chairman asked for an update on the election process and it was noted that once the board membership had grown sufficiently the process would be put in place.

The next meeting of the Mental Health Partnership Board will be held on Wednesday 18 September 2013 at 2.30pm in Mezzanine Room 1

Dates of Future Meetings (all commence at 2.30pm and will be held in Mezzanine Room 1)

20 November

The next meeting of the Mental Health Partnership Board will be held on Wednesday 18 September 2013 at 2.30pm in Mezzanine Room 1

Dates of Future Meetings (all commence at 2.30pm and will be held in Mezzanine Room 1)

20 November