Issue - meetings

Report of Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee, seeking a response to recommendations made by the Committee at the meeting held on 29 November 2017 regarding decision number CAB 17/18 19659 - Future of Kentish Road Respite Centre.

DECISION MADE:  (CAB 17/18  19659)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Adult Care, and having considered and addressed recommendations made by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee at the meeting held on 29 November 2017, and having received representations from Members of the Council, parents and carers, Cabinet re-confirmed their decision taken on 14 November 2017, having taken into consideration the following:

(i)  That Cabinet agrees to keep Kentish Road Respite Service open whilst it undertakes a wide ranging procurement exercise for the existing site.  The Cabinet then has the opportunity to move the service to the smaller annex (known as 32b) dependent upon the occupancy levels and demand following the operation of the site by the chosen provider.  In addition, Cabinet works with providers to mitigate risks associated with this exercise. 

(ii)  That effective and proactive transition plans are put in place immediately and resourced appropriately. 

(iii)  That a detailed protocol was developed detailing the range of services to be provided at Weston Court and how usage was to be prioritised.

(iv)  That Cabinet reviews the processes that have been followed relating to the Kentish Road Respite Service decision and identifies any lessons that need to be learnt for any future decisions of this nature. 

Cabinet rejected the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee’s recommendation (i) and accepted recommendations (ii) – (iv) above.

The Committee considered the report of the Service Director, Legal and Governance detailing the call-in of Executive Decision CAB 17/18 19659 – Future of the Kentish Road Respite Service. 

Alex Isles (MENCAP), Clare Mar-Molinero, Dan Mar-Molinero, Amanda Guest, Lisa Stead and other carers, parents and other interested parties 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 made to be addressed by Cabinet if, at the meeting on 30^th November 2017, Cabinet confirm the decision taken on 14^th November 2017:

(a)  That Cabinet agrees to keep Kentish Road Respite Service open whilst it undertakes a wide ranging procurement exercise for the existing site.   The Cabinet then has the opportunity to move the service to the smaller annex (known as 32b) dependent upon the occupancy levels and demand following the operation of the site by the chosen provider.  In addition, Cabinet works with providers to mitigate risks associated with this exercise. 

(b)  That effective and proactive transition plans are put in place immediately and resourced appropriately. 

(c)  That a detailed protocol was developed detailing the range of services to be provided at Weston Court and how usage was to be prioritised.

(d)  That Cabinet reviews the processes that have been followed relating to the Kentish Road Respite Service decision and identifies any lessons that need to be learnt for any future decisions of this nature.