Issue - meetings

      Report of the Chief Executive

Cllr Jane Davies, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, SEND, Transition and Inclusion presented the report which provided detail about the future of the housing relating support (HRS) service.

Cllr Davies explained that the HRS is a discretionary rather than statutory service, which is delivered by Somerset Care and Cera Care and was designed to promote independence and prevent the breakdown of tenancies. The service model is now considered outdated against more effective models of independent living.

The Cabinet noted the background to the HRS and how it had developed over the years to its current form. In recommending a preferred option for the HRS service, the council has identified duplication of tasks with other services, and also considered the social care needs profiles of residents living across the 130 sheltered sites. Each resident is able to opt-in to the service, and currently only 40% of eligible tenants opt-in at a cost of £957,987 per year.

The report detailed the outcome of a consultation that took place during November – December 2020 for residents to comment on how they use the service and the support they might need in the future.

In response to questions raised by Cabinet members, Cllr Davies and officers (i) provided reassurance that residents would be able to access the same type of provision from existing resources elsewhere via registered social landlords and other community services; (ii) highlighted concerns about social isolation and the need for residents to be connected to local community groups; (iii) registered providers had a duty to help tenants to prevent tenancy breakdown and evictions for tenants in particular vulnerable tenants. 

In response to a question from Cllr Ian Thorn about his concerns that effective scrutiny of the proposals by the Health Select Committee was not being undertaken until after Cabinet had made their decision. Cllr Davies explained that the proposals provided for a further consultation with residents on the preferred position and the final decision to be delegated to the Director of Joint Commissioning in consultation with the Cabinet Member forAdult Social Care, SEND, Transition and Inclusion and the Corporate Director ofPeople, therefore allowing sufficient time for effective scrutiny of the transitional arrangements by the Health Select Committee on 6 July 2021. It was also noted that the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Health Select Committee had received a briefing on the proposals on 16 June 2021.

In response to a question from Cllr Chuck Berry about the need to consider TUPE regulations. Cllr Davies confirmed that the TUPE Regulations would be considered as part of the proposal.

Cllr Gordon King, Vice-Chair of Health Select Committee confirmed that he and Cllr Jonny Kidney had received a briefing where there was a full debate about the proposals.  Cllr King commented on the savings being generated by the proposals.  Cllr Davies confirmed that the proposals were not about making savings and funding will be used to ensure the right services are in place for people who need them.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16