Agenda and minutes

The Committee noted that following receipt of the temporary resignation of Councillor McEwing from the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee, the Head of Legal and Democratic Services, acting under delegated powers, had appointed Councillor Tucker to replace her for the purposes of this meeting.

To approve and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 13 August 2015 and to deal with any matters arising, attached.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 13 August 2015 be approved and signed as a correct record.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services detailing the item, “Consultation on proposals for an integrated service for crisis response, rehabilitation, reablement and hospital discharge” requested for discussion from the current Forward Plan.

Councillor White (HOSP Member) was present and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care offered a briefing on the proposals for integrated services to all Members as part of the consultation.  This offer was welcomed by the OSMC.

RESOLVED that the Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel formally respond to the consultation following the proposed Member briefing.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services detailing the item “Update on the closure of Woodside Lodge and the restructure of day and respite services” requested for discussion from the current Forward Plan.

Alex Isles (Southampton Mencap), Jon Searle (Member of the Public), Councillor White and Councillor Houghton (HOSP Members) were present and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED

(i)  that information be circulated to Members outlining the current position with regards to the replacement care service (respite) at Kentish Road;

(ii)  that lessons learnt from the decisions relating to the closure of Woodside Lodge residential care home and the restructure of day and respite services be applied to future transformation projects within Adult Social Care and across the Council; and

(iii)  that the HOSP continue to have oversight of the performance of Adult Social Care with regards to undertaking timely assessments.

Report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services detailing the Call-in of Executive Decision CAB 15/16 15193 - The Future of the Southampton Library Service, attached.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services detailing the call-in of Executive Decision CAB 15/16 15193 – The Future of the Southampton Library Service.

Ann MacGillivray, Kevin Lancashire, Lindsi Bluemel, Tim Forcer (spoke on behalf of Cobbett Road Library), Denise Wyatt (spoke on behalf of Millbrook Library), Sarah Dockree, Suzanne Baker (spoke on behalf of Burgess Road Library), Anne Sutherland (Member of the public), Tom Doak (spoke on behalf of Weston Library), Councillor Pope and Councillor White were present and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED that Cabinet reconsider the called in decision at the next decision meeting. 

The following points were sought to be addressed by Cabinet if, at the meeting on 15 September, Cabinet confirm the decision taken on 18 August:

(a)  that Cabinet commit to ensure flexibility within timescales for community led initiatives to be established within the six libraries should formal arrangements not be in place by 31 March 2016;

(b)  that, to enable effective scrutiny, Cabinet clarifies the timetable and the process for the establishment of community led libraries;

(c)  that Cabinet identifies the financial support the Housing Revenue Account would be able to provide in relation to the Library Service;

(d)  that Cabinet provide details, including outcomes, of discussions that had taken place with other local authorities regarding sharing library services;

(e)  that, due to the change in location and increased usage since the consultation commenced, Cabinet review the position in relation to Millbrook Library; and

(f)  that a confidential briefing be provided to Members ahead of Full Council on the Expressions of Interest received on the Library Service. 

NOTE: Councillors Tucker and Jordan declared a personal interest in the matter set out in the report.  Councillor Tucker was a board member of the Arts Council South West and Councillor Jordan was a board member of Plus You Limited.  Thornhill Library was occupied under a licence with Plus You Limited.

NOTE: Councillor Moulton declared that the Conservative Party position was to oppose the closure of libraries in Southampton.

The Committee considered the report of the Leader of the Council detailing the Council’s performance in Quarter 1 of the 2015-2016 Municipal Year.

The Committee expressed concern in relation to the figure for care leavers not in contact or NEETS which had been considered by the Children and Young Families Scrutiny Panel.

RESOLVED that at the next meeting of the Children and Families Scrutiny Panel on 22 October 2015 an explanation be provided reconciling the quarter 1 NEET figure with information provided to the Panel Chair at the meeting on 3 September.

Report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services detailing the actions of the Executive and monitoring progress of the recommendations of the Committee, attached.

The Committee received and noted the report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services detailing the actions of the Executive and monitoring progress of the recommendations of the Committee.

An update was provided on Appendix 1.  It had been agreed that the Committee would be circulated a monthly financial report for the last item in the table.