Agenda and minutes

The Committee considered the decisions taken since the last meeting of the Scrutiny Committee by the Executive and Cabinet Members.

A question was raised in relation to decision number EX/47/2014 ‘Community Trigger Thresholds’, with regards to how the community trigger would be publicised. As the relevant Cabinet Member was not in attendance at the meeting, Mr C Kelly, Senior Democratic Services Adviser, advised that an answer would be sought for Committee Members.

The Committee agreed to note the Executive and Cabinet Member Decisions.

The Committee considered the items contained within the Forward Plan, issue number 09/2014.

A question was raised in relation to decision reference 21/2014 regarding proceeding to phase two of the redevelopment of the Queens Park Estate. Further information was sought on details of the proposed budget for the redevelopment. As the relevant Cabinet Member was not in attendance at the meeting, Mr C Kelly, Senior Democratic Services Adviser, advised that an answer would be sought for Committee Members.

The Committee agreed to note the Forward Plan items.

Ms Lynn Gornall, Head of Adult Safeguarding and Principal Social Worker (Adults) presented the Year End Alerts and Referrals Analysis Report covering 1st April 2013 to 31st March 2014, together with the Alert and Referral Analysis and Practice Update for Quarter One 2014.

It was reported that in 2013/2014 Adult Social Care Services had actively supported 4,844 individuals out of a population of approximately 113,000. It was noted that 3,324 of those individuals supported were aged 65 and over. However, the Safeguarding Adults Framework was accessible to all individuals aged 18 and over, if they had been harmed or were at risk of harm and unable to protect themselves.

Ms Gornall advised the Committee that 771 safeguarding alerts had been raised with the Council in 2013/2014 relating to adults thought to be at risk. Of those, 402 were deemed to be ‘not safeguarding’ or ‘incident only’ issues and 328 were referred for investigation. It was explained that of those cases referred for investigation:

• 89 were not substantiated
• 67 were partly substantiated
• 79 were substantiated; and
• 30 were inconclusive due to insufficient evidence available.

Members of the Committee were also provided with details of the types of alerts received, of which the main types cited were neglect or mistreatment, institutional abuse, financial abuse, emotional abuse and physical abuse. Often alerts could cite more than one type of abuse. Details regarding the location of the abuse were also provided and it was noted that of the 464 abuse types, 304 had occurred in residential or nursing care settings, 116 in a person’s own home and eight in a hospital.

It was reported to the Committee that Adult Services had provided training to staff and managers in more than 50 residential and nursing homes in Blackpool and that the Service had worked in partnership to ensure consistency. Safeguarding information leaflets had also been produced to help widen publicity regarding adult safeguarding.

The Committee was also presented with details regarding service developments ahead of a Local Authority Peer Review of Blackpool Council Safeguarding Adults activity, which was scheduled to take place at the end of January 2015. It was reported that an advocacy agency (Empowerment) had been commissioned to carry out a series of Listening Reviews to identify where changes in the service could be made to improve people’s experiences.

It was also reported that from March 2014, changes had been made to the way in which the recording of safeguarding alerts, referrals and actions taken to protect individuals were made. The stated aim for making the changes had been in order to improve analysis of the statistics in the future and subsequently improve outcomes for individuals.

Members queried how those in care in private homes were monitored. Ms Gornall reported that, whilst this issue presented difficulties, domiciliary care contracts were being reviewed to improve safeguarding procedures and a domiciliary care survey was undertaken every year.

The Committee also discussed how Adult Services worked in partnership with mental health services to provide appropriate  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Mrs Clare Nolan Barnes, Head of Coastal and Environmental Partnership Investments, provided the Committee with a progress report on Flood Risk Management and Drainage.

The Committee was provided with a progress report on recommendations from the Flood Risk Management Scrutiny Panel. Mrs Nolan Barnes reported that an annual report on the Flood Risk Management Strategy would be produced at the end of October and provided Members with an overview of progress and performance to date.

Mrs Nolan Barnes reported that the Council had been working in conjunction with Lancashire County Council to address the responsibilities under the Flood and Water Management Act and proposed guidance. Members considered the draft Flood Investigation Policy and noted that it was due to be submitted to the Executive for its approval.

The Committee was also provided with details of the work undertaken regarding the Flood Risk Management Scrutiny Panel’s recommendation to establish a working group to ensure that a mapping system was kept up to date and the Council continued to meet its statutory obligation to maintain a register of assets and designate third party assets. It was explained that the Council had established a Corporate Water Management Team and invited United Utilities and the Environment Agency to attend, in order to ensure a collective approach was taken to delivering the Council’s duties.

The Committee discussed the issues relating to another of the Flood Risk Management Scrutiny Panel’s recommendations to undertake a piece of work to consider the risks and potential costs of the responsibility of the Council to maintain new drainage systems. Mrs Nolan Barnes advised that the relevant section of the Flood and Water Management Act had yet to come into force, but that the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs had recently sent out consultation papers in respect of the issue.

A question was also raised with regards to drainage on Mere Farm. Mrs Nolan Barnes reported that the Council had been successful in obtaining funding for a drainage project and was currently in the process of starting investigations before installing a proposed wet well and new water pumps.

The Committee agreed to note the content of the report

Background papers: None.

Councillor Stansfield, Lead Member for the Education Scrutiny Panel presented an update report, summarising the work undertaken by the Panel since its last report to the Committee.

The Committee agreed to note the report.

Background Papers: None.

The Committee considered a progress report on the appointed Scrutiny Panels.

Councillor Stansfield reported that, due to a change of career that would potentially involve a conflict of interest, he would no longer be able to take part in the Scrutiny Members’ Visits to Care Homes.

The Committee agreed to note the report.

Background Papers: None.