Agenda and minutes

1.1          The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 24 April 2018 were agreed as a correct record.

Disclosures by all members present of personal interests in matters on the agenda, the nature of any interest and whether the member regards the interest as prejudicial under the terms of the Code of Conduct.

2.1       Councillor Bentley declared a personal non prejudicial interest in items 7 to 17 (and in particular items 7 and 15) as carer.

2.2       Councillor Field declared a personal non prejudicial interest in item 18 as a Member of Rother District Council and a Member of the Rother District Council Task and Finish Group regarding the proposed civil parking enforcement in the District.

2.3       Councillor Maynard declared a personal non prejudicial interest in item 18 as the Leader of Rother District Council.

2.4       Councillor Standley declared a personal non prejudicial interest in item 6 as a Member of Wadhurst Parish Council and Wealden District Council

2.5       Councillor Webb declared a personal non prejudicial interest in items 9 and 12 as friends were on the Management Committee of Marlborough House and that he had organised a fund raising event for the Stroke Association.

3.1       Copies of the reports referred to below are included in the minute book.

Report by Chief Executive

4.1       The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Executive.

4.2       It was RESOLVED – to note the end of year outturns for the Council Plan, revenue budget and capital programme for 2017/18.

Reason

4.3       The report set out the Council’s position and year end provisional outturns for the Council Plan targets, Revenue budget, Capital Programme, Savings Plan together with risks for 2017/18

Report by Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

5.1       The Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport together with comments from the Place Scrutiny Committee Waste Review Board. The following people addressed the Cabinet on behalf of petitioners: Councillor Rowena Moore (Forest Row Household Waste Recycling site) and Councillors Anthony Dunnett and Graham Wells (Wadhurst Household Waste Recycling Site)

5.2       It was RESOLVED to –

1)            i) introduce disposal charges for rubble, soil, plasterboard, asbestos and tyres and delegate authority to the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport, in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer, to set appropriate charges to cover the disposal costs incurred by East Sussex County Council for non household waste;

ii) close the two part time Household Waste and Recycling Sites at Forest Row and Wadhurst with effect from 30 September 2018;

iii)  reduce opening times at Lewes and Mountfield to 9am - 4pm daily; and

2)            ask the East Sussex County Council Waste Team to continue to engage with Charitable Organisations currently using ESCC facilities for the disposal of their waste to understand the sources of this waste better and the impact the introduction of any restrictions may have on their organisations, and to report to the Lead Member for Transport and Environment on the findings and options for a Charity Waste Policy in the Autumn of 2018.

Reason

5.3          It is estimated that the savings target will be met if all the proposals are implemented. It is also known that there will be additional revenue budget pressures as funding levels decrease in future years. Therefore, the Cabinet has agreed that the following changes are made to the Household Waste Recycling Site (HWRS) service –

·         Charges are introduced for rubble and soil, plasterboard, asbestos and tyres at all HWRSs

·         Closure of the two part time HWRSs at Forest Row and Wadhurst

·         Reduction in opening times at Lewes and Mountfield HWRSs to 9-4pm

5.4       We have considered all of the feedback and concerns received during the consultation process and do not feel that the proposals should be withdrawn as a result of the information that our stakeholders have provided. We have learnt of the strong desire for the community to investigate whether they can run a site and we will support by giving advice and guidance. We will also explore whether a full day closure at certain HWRSs might offer further efficiencies beyond a shorter working day. The changes to the HWRS service will enable East Sussex County Council to deliver required savings against its reduced waste budget.

5.5       The implementation of the proposals resulting from the Household Waste Recycling Site Review will enable the waste service to continue to provide high quality sites and a wide range of materials for recycling and disposal. The changes will also mean that East Sussex County Council continues to comply with its statutory obligations to provide sites that are reasonably accessible to residents of East Sussex and available for the free disposal of household waste.

5.6                   East Sussex County Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Report by Director of Adult Social Care and Health

6.1       The Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Adult Social Care and Health together with the comments of People Scrutiny Committee Review Board.

6.2       It was RESOLVED to:

1)    note the background to the Adult Social Care proposals for 2018/19;

2)    note the reports on actions taken to deliver staffing savings; and

3)    note the proposal to use the additional 2018-2019 Government funding allocation of £1.616m to fund and partly mitigate Supporting People Community Based Services and Supporting People Accommodation Services

Reason

6.3       If the recommendations in this and the supporting reports are agreed, it is proposed that reports are made to the Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Health every six months setting out progress with implementation.

Report by Director of Adult Social Care and Health

7.1             The Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Adult Social Care and Health together with the comments of the People Scrutiny Committee Review Board. Chris Hartley addressed the Cabinet on behalf of petitioners (Milton Grange and Firwood House)

7.2      It was RESOLVED to –

1)    agree to the reconfiguration of all intermediate care beds into MiltonGrange as set out in the report;

2)    agree to the reconfiguration of all day services into Milton Grange as set out in the report;

3)    agree to the closure of the 19 intermediate care beds at Firwood House;

4)    agree to the closure of the 25 place Warwick House Day Service; and

5)    delegate to the Director of Adult Social Care and Health authority to take all necessary actions to give effect to the implementation of the above recommendations

Reason

7.3       There is strong local support to retain the Firwood intermediate care beds and Warwick House day services.  However, these can be re-provided more efficiently and effectively at Milton Grange whilst maintaining standards of care; retaining quality; retaining workforce expertise; and operating within the reduced budget.

7.4       Combining the Milton and Warwick House day services will provide a more cost effective service and ensure people are able to continue accessing an appropriate day service.  Individuals will be supported through the transition of the services.

7.5       Implementation of the decisions will continue to meet the needs of local people by providing a unique short term rehabilitation services, and also ameliorate the impacts on staff of compulsory redundancies

Report by Director of Adult Social Care and Health

8.1              The Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Adult Social Care and Health together with comments of the People Scrutiny Committee Review Board and representations received from Sussex Development Community Association.

8.2           It was RESOLVED to –

1)    agree to continue the model of service at the Phoenix Centre and to re-tender;

2)    agree to close the services delivered through the Charter Centre and Isabel Blackman Centre and re-commission this care in the Independent Sector; and

3)    delegate to the Director of Adult Social Care and Health authority to take all necessary actions to give effect to the implementation of the above recommendations

Reason

8.3       There is strong local support to retain the day services at the Charter, Phoenix and Isabel Blackman Centres.  The views of carers reflected concern at possible loss of service, quality of staff and capacity to support carers through the respite element of day services. There are a range of viable options to re-commission the day care provision currently delivered at two of the three centres, Charter Centre and Isabel Blackman Centre, whilst ensuring that the current clients continue to be properly supported. The local availability of alternative services combined with low occupancy and high unit costs means that maintaining this provision in the current format is not considered good value. 

8.4       The Cabinet therefore agreed to re-commission alternative services in the independent sector. This supports the strategic direction for older peoples’ day services by developing the market, challenging price and developing longer term sustainability of service provision. Implementation will deliver savings of £188,000 from older people’s commissioned day services

Report by Director of Adult Social Care and Health

9.1       The Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Adult Social Care and Health together with comments from the People Scrutiny Committee Review Board

9.2       It was RESOLVED to –

            1) agree to the proposed changes to the Learning Disability Directly Provided Services set out in the report; and

            2) delegate to the Director of Adult Social Care and Health authority to take all necessary actions to give effect to the implementation of the above recommendations.

Reason

9.3       It is acknowledged that feedback has been received from clients, parents and carers opposing the proposals that have been put forward.  Officers have made some changes to the original proposals to accommodate the views of clients, parents and carers where possible and appropriate.

9.4       It was noted that everyone who is affected by the proposals would be offered an individual review; early indications suggest that 58 peoplemay experience a total withdrawal of services provided directly by Learning Disability Services and a further 158 people would experience a reduction to the support they currently receive, 27 of whom would experience a decrease in support from more than one service. The proposals include a transitional period, for people in the latter group, to ensure that they experience a consistent level of support from at least one service until April 2019.

9.5       The views of clients, parents and carers reflected concern about a potential loss of skilled staff. Through careful and considered staff engagement in the consultation process, it is anticipated that these proposals would allow for the retention of the majority of staff, with voluntary redundancy used to release staff who wish to move on, thus achieving the required level of reduction without a detrimental effect on service quality.

9.6       The Cabinet has therefore agreed to implement the proposals as set out in Appendix 2, Table 1, of the report. This will reduce the overall cost of Learning Disability Directly Provided Services whilst maintaining high quality in the remaining service provision.

Report by Director of Adult Social Care and Health

10.1       The Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Adult Social Care and Health together with the comments of the People Scrutiny Committee Review Board.

10.2It was RESOLVED to –

1)    agree the re-provisioning of care of five residents from Cregg Na Ba to other local care homes provided by Affinity Trust;

2)    agree to the closure of the Affinity Trust service at Cregg Na Ba following the re-provisioning of the service within alternative Residential Homes operated by Affinity Trust; and

3)    delegate to the Director of Adult Social Care and Health authority to take all necessary actions to give effect to the implementation of the above recommendations

Reason

10.3     There is support from families to retain the residential service at Cregg Na Ba.  However, the local availability of alternative services operated by the same provider combined with the number of voids across Affinity services and the cost of void payments means that maintaining this provision in the current format is not considered good value.  Should it be maintained, savings will need to be made to services elsewhere to continue to support it. The views of families reflected concern at possible loss of service and distress and anxiety this could cause to residents. There is however a range of viable and familiar options for the residents to move to and be supported by familiar staff ensuring that the current clients continue to be properly supported.

Report by Director of Adult Social Care and Health

11.1            The Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Adult Social Care and Health together with the comments of the People Scrutiny Committee Review Board.

11.2             It was RESOLVED to –

1)    agree to give notice to vary the agreement, withdrawing the Adult Social Care funding but maintaining the contract with Clinical Commissioning Group  funding; and

2)    delegate to the Director of Adult Social Care and Health authority to take all necessary actions to give effect to the implementation of the above recommendations

Reason

11.3     The Stroke Recovery Service is held in high regard by people who use the service, their families, carers and professionals in other rehabilitation services.  It is seen as a successful and effective intervention for stroke survivors and their carers in supporting their longer term recovery after a stroke.

11.4     Stroke survivors and carers have expressed concern over the loss of the adult social care funding, have recognised the impact that this will have on the wider system (particularly healthcare) and have identified limited opportunities to access stroke specific support elsewhere. It has also been highlighted, via the consultation, that the proportion of adult social care funding and the total value does not seem proportionate to other proposed savings proposals.

11.5     The consultation and Equality Impact Assessment have identified limited alternatives to service provision. This will have an impact on those stroke survivors and carers who will no longer be able to access the service due to the triage process that will need to be put in place to manage demand over capacity.

11.6     The project lead, Clinical Commissioning Groups and service provider have held constructive discussions about service model options based on a 50% reduction in funding.  The impact of this savings proposal is recognised and the wider health and wellbeing benefits of the services are understood.  However, the overall level of savings requirement means that the Adult Social Care needs to make significant funding reductions and is no longer in a position to fund condition specific services.

Report by Director of Adult Social Care and Health

12.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Adult Social Care and Health together with comments from the People Scrutiny Committee Review Board.

12.2     It was RESOLVED to –

1)  agree to proceed with the changes in service delivery through remodelling the service as set out in the report; and

2)    delegate to the Director of Adult Social Care and Health authority to take all necessary actions to give effect to the implementation of the above recommendations

Reason

12.3     Implementation of the proposals set out in Appendix 1 of the report will reduce the overall cost of the Discretionary East Sussex Support Scheme whilst maintaining quality in the remaining provision.

Report by Director of Adult Social Care and Health

13.1       The Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Adult Social Care and Health together with comments of the People Scrutiny Committee Review Board.

13.2 It was RESOLVED to –

1)    agree that the current service continues through 2018/19 and that self-care groups are established during this period to sustain support in future years;

2)    agree to give notice to terminate the agreement with the HIV Support Service and withdraw funding; and

3)    delegate to the Director of Adult Social Care and Health authority to take all necessary actions to give effect to the implementation of the above recommendations

Reason

13.3    The impact of ceasing funding for this service to support people with HIV is likely to increase social isolation.  However, the availability of alternative local services means that maintaining this provision is not considered good value nor sustainable given financial constraints.

Report by Director of Adult Social Care and Health

14.1       The Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Adult Social Care and Health together with the comments of the People Scrutiny Committee Review Board

14.2It was RESOLVED to –

1)    agree to the remodelling of Carers Services as set out in the report; and

2)    delegate to the Director of Adult Social Care and Health authority to take all necessary actions to give effect to the implementation of the above recommendations.

Reason

 14.3    It is recognised that Carers Services are strategically relevant as they make a significant contribution to keeping people with care and support needs safe, preventing their needs from escalating and enabling them to remain living in the community. 

14.4    The impact of reducing the budget by £422,000 will be significant and is likely to result in a reduction of carer specific support services.  Other forms of support are available in the community; for example, targeted at older people, but like-for-like alternative service provision that recognises the specific needs of carers is unlikely to be available.

14.5     The remodelling of services is in line with the strategic priorities of East Sussex County Council but will be delivered with less resource.  The Council is no longer in a position to continue providing or commissioning the same level of Carers Services. Over time, the reduction in service provision may increase pressure on other social care services. 

Report by Director of Adult Social Care and Health

15.1       The Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Adult Social Care and Health together with the comments of the People Scrutiny Committee Review Board.

15.2It was RESOLVED to –

1)    agree to use £404,000 of the additional 2018-2019 Government funding allocation of £1,616,000 to fund Accommodation Based Housing Support Services; and to commission services within the available resource ensuring that priority is given to those with the highest level of need; and

2)    delegate to the Director of Adult Social Care and Health authority to take all necessary actions to give effect to the implementation of the above recommendations

Reason

15.3     The accommodation based services within the report provide support to a range of vulnerable adults and younger people with multiple support needs.  Demand for the services is high and the unit costs represent good value for money. 

15.4     The proposal to utilise £404,000 of the additional £1,616,000 to fund Accommodation Based Services is based upon the vulnerabilities and complexity of need, in addition to the need for accommodation and support, presented by clients accessing the services.  The impact of reducing the budget by the original £800,000 would have resulted in the closure of some services.  The impact of the £404,000 mitigation has significantly reduced this risk.

15.5     Proceeding with the proposals set out in the report is in line with the strategic priorities of East Sussex County Council but will be delivered with less resource.  The Council is no longer in a position to continue providing the same level of service or capacity in terms of units (beds) of support. Over time, the reduction in service provision will increase pressure on other care services. 

Report by Director of Adult Social Care and Health

16.1       The Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Adult Social Care and Health together with the comments of the People Scrutiny Committee Review Board.

16.2It was RESOLVED to –

1)    agree to use £1,212,000 of the additional 2018-2019 Government funding allocation of £1,616,000 to providecommunity based housing support services, as set out in the report,  and prioritise support to those with the highest level of need; and

2)    delegate to the Director of Adult Social Care and Health authority to take all necessary actions to give effect to the implementation of the above recommendations

Reason

16.3     The proposal to utilise £1,212,000 of the additional £1,616,000 to fundcommunity based housing support services is based upon the reach of services provided by STEPS and Home Works in terms of the number of people they support; the complexity and range of needs the visiting housing related support provides; and the prevention aspect of the housing support service which reduces the risk of people being in crisis. All of these issues were themes in both the consultation feedback and equality impact assessment.  In addition, Home Works provides a crucial ‘move-on’ service to help vulnerable people transition safely from other services into independence.

16.4     It is proposed that the budget is used to fund visiting housing support services as there is no other local provision of such services.  Whilst the Navigator service would cease, the number of older people who receive housing support can be maintained.  There would be a reduction in the number of working age people who would receive housing support and this would be quantified through discussion with providers.   

16.5     Alternative provision to be provided with the remaining funding will be designed with providers and key stakeholders including district and borough councils’ housing departments.  Future services will need to focus on those facing a crisis, those most at risk of destitution and preventing a more costly intervention.

Report by Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

17.1       The Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

17.2It was RESOLVED to –

1)    welcome Rother District Council’s request for East Sussex County Council to introduce Civil Parking Enforcement;

2)    note the proposed arrangements for Civil Parking Enforcement across Rother District;

3)    approve that an application is made to the Department for Transport  for Civil Parking Enforcement powers across Rother District; and

4)    approve all actions necessary for the subsequent introduction of Civil Parking Enforcement across Rother District

Reason

17.3     The introduction of Civil Parking Enforcement across Rother District comes at the request of Rother District Council. The Cabinet has agreed that an application be made to the Department for Transport for civil parking enforcement powers in Rother District

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

18.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

18.2     It was RESOLVED to –

(1) note the significant progress that has been made with the establishment of Transport for the South East as a Shadow Sub National Transport Body;

(2) note the recent award of a £1.1million of grant monies from the Department for Transport to fund the development of a Transport Strategy: and

(3) note that investment of £58,000 in 2018-19 has been made by East Sussex County Council (ESCC) as its contribution towards the staff costs and the development of the constitutional arrangements to secure statutory status for TfSE

Reason

18.3     Significant progress has been made with the establishment of Transport for the South East (TfSE) as a shadow Sub National Transport Body with ESCC being its accountable body and officers and members from ESCC leading its development. There have been a number of significant achievements in the last year and TfSE is already fulfilling its role of speaking with one voice about strategic transport issues across its geography. TfSE has gained traction with Government and this has resulted in the award of £1.1miliion of grant funding to take forward the development Transport Strategy. There is much work still to do to on this and the proposal to Government to achieve statutory status. As a consequence, it will be necessary to continue to levy contributions from each of the constituent authorities with ESCC making a contribution of £58,000 in 2018/19.     

Report by the Chief Operating Officer

19.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer

19.2     It was RESOLVED – to note the report and the Ashdown Forest Trust Income and Expenditure Account for 2017/19 and Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2018

Reason

19.3     To note the final accounts for the Ashdown Forest Trust for 2017/18

20.1     The Cabinet agreed that items 5 and 20 should be reported to the County Council.

[Note: The items being reported to the County Council refer to minute numbers 4 and 19]