Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Toby Sturgis.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 20 March 2012.

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 March were presented.

Resolved:

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 20 March, subject to the addition of Councillor Mike Hewitt to the list of those also in attendance.

To receive and note the minutes of the Capital Assets Committee held on 21 March 2012

The minutes of the meeting of Cabinet (Capital Assets) Committee held on 21 March were received and noted.

None.

The Council welcomes contributions from members of the public. This meeting is open to the public, who may ask a question or make a statement. Written notice of questions or statements should be given to Yamina Rhouati of Democratic Services by 12.00 noon on Friday 13 April.  Anyone wishing to ask a question or make a statement should contact the officer named above.

The Leader commented that members of the public were welcome to participate in the discussion on items on the agenda.

Report of the Corporate Director of Public Health and Public Protection is

circulated

Cllr Keith Humphries, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Protection Services, introduced a report providing an overview of on-going work in respect of resilience planning for the Olympic and Paralympic activities in Wiltshire during summer 2012, and demonstrating that there was robust planning in place to ensure that our residents and communities were safeguarded from risks.

Laurie Bell, Service Director for Policy and Communications, circulated the first draft of a calendar of events taking place around the county to celebrate the Jubilee and the Olympics.  Work was ongoing with local and national media to coordinate coverage of various events.

Resolved:

The Cabinet noted the report.

Reason for Decision

To provide understanding an assurance with respect to the resilience planning and preparedness for the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.

 Report of the Corporate Director of Public Health and Public Protection is circulated

Cllr Keith Humphries, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Protection Services, introduced a report which provided an update on healthcare services at HMP Erlestoke, outline improvements in the performance of health services at HMP Erlestoke and outline strategic changes affecting the commissioning of those services.  The report also sought Cabinet’s approval to plans to undertake a tendering process for psychosocial substance misuse services in the prison.

The Leader introduced Mary-Ann McKibben, Public Health Consultant, who spoke about the on-going Health Trainer Programme, which had been trialled in prisons, and sought to train peers within a community to provide support on a number of health issues, including weight loss and smoking. Councillors considered that this project fitted in well with the overall programme of activities at the prison, and the project was support and endorsed by all.

Councillors were invited to visit the prison and see the various services being provided.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:

1.    Receives the update on healthcare services at HMP Erlestoke, improvements in the performance of health services at HMP Erlestoke and strategic changes affecting the commissioning of these services;

2.    Agrees the plans to undertake a tendering process for psychosocial substance misuse services in the prison; and

3.    Delegates authority to execute the contracts resulting from the tendering activity to Maggie Rae, Corporate Director of Public Health and Public Protection, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, Solicitor to the Council and the Chief Financial Officer.

Reason for Decision

Wiltshire Council is a key partner in the Wiltshire Community Safety Partnership which holds responsibility for addressing alcohol and drugs issues.  From April 2013, the Public Health team will bring responsibility for commissioning psychosocial and other substance misuse services at the prison with it on transfer to the Council.

 Report of the Corporate Director of Public Health and Public Protection is circulated

Cllr Keith Humphries, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Protection Services, introduced a report which provided an update on actions to reduce alcohol and drug-related harms in Wiltshire and to outline improvements in the performance of specialist substance misuse services.  The report also outlined the strategic changes affecting the commissioning of these services, including plans to tender an integrated community substance misuse treatment and care service for adults.

Cllr Humphries referred to the on-going work and success stories listed at page 37-39 of the report, commenting that this was bringing in extra funding of £115,000.  Reference was also made to work in schools and with youth workers to educate young people on the risks of alcohol and drugs.  Concern was raised that some of the problems were hidden, particularly in rural communities, and more work was needed to identify and address these health risks.

Councillors also referred to the problems caused by the availability of cheap alcohol, in particular spirits.

It was noted that the report had been considered by the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee; Councillors were pleased to note that the report had taken on board the Select Committee’s comments that the procurement process should consider separate tenders for individual services, alongside tenders for combined services.

The Leader asked that confirmation be sought as to whether any services and funding from this service area would transfer to the new Police Commissioner after November 2012.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:

1. Receives this update on the importance and progress in addressing alcohol and drug problems in Wiltshire;
2. Agrees in principle to the proposal to undertake a tendering process to provide an integrated adult drug and alcohol treatment and care service;
3. Delegates authority of consideration of a procurement options paper to the Corporate Director in consultation with the Cabinet Member; and
4. Delegates authority to execute the contracts resulting from this tendering activity to Maggie Rae, Corporate Director of Public Health and Public Protection, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, Solicitor to the Council and the Chief Financial Officer.

Reasons for Decision

Wiltshire Council is a key partner in the Wiltshire Community Safety Partnership which holds responsibility for addressing alcohol and drugs issues.  From April 2013, the Public Health team will bring responsibility for commissioning alcohol and drug treatment with it on transfer to the Council.

 Report of the Corporate Director is circulated

Cllr John Thomson, Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Communities and Housing, introduced a report which sought Cabinet agreement to a proposal to outsource the Council’s in-house provider “Wiltshire Supported Living Service” (WSLS) for adults with learning disabilities, to other Support Providers who were already delivering the majority of specialist care and support across the county, under a framework agreement initially agreed by Cabinet in 2009.  The decision would mean a transfer of potentially 52 full time equivalent staff to the new provider/s and this would take place under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006.

It was noted that the proposals would result in a saving of £195,000, which was reflected in the Council’s latest financial plan for 2012/13.

Resolved:

That Cabinet agrees:

1.    To enter into a competitive exercise with the 9 Care and Support Providers who have been listed on the Council’s existing Framework Agreement since 2009; to procure the support services which will mean that the Council’s own staff will “TUPE” transfer across to the successful appointed provider/s; and

2.    To delegate authority to the Corporate Director with responsibility for Adult Services to award the contract in consultation with the appropriate service directors.

Reason for Decision

The majority of supported living services are already provided by independent sector care and support providers across the county.  These organisations provide a quality care and support service to individuals living in their own homes. 

This decision represents the last phase of the transfer of the Council’s own services to providers under this framework.  In brief this means that 25 customers already living in their own homes (some with shared tenancies), will continue to receive the same high quality person-centred care and support, but where the staff providing that support will be managed and employed by an independent provider instead of the Council.

Report of the Corporate Director of Public Health and Public Protection is

circulated

Cllr Keith Humphries, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Protection Services, introduced a report which sought approval for Wiltshire Council to authorise the Illegal Money Lending Section of Birmingham City Council to investigate and institute proceedings against illegal money lenders operating within the Wiltshire Council area as part of a national collaborative project.

Councillors supported the principle of addressing illegal money lending in Wiltshire, and it was hoped that people could be directed towards the Credit Unions.  Reference was also made to the need to publicise the action to discourage illegal money lenders from operating in the county. 

It was noted that the primary reasons people gave for using unlicensed money lenders was for utility bills and food.  Other support mechanisms existed for this and it was suggested that a briefing note could be produced for Councillors.  In addition, it was hoped that a publicity campaign could be developed in partnership with the Citizens Advice Bureau.  The Leader undertook to speak to Sarah Cardy at the CAB about this.

Resolved:

That the Cabinet agrees that the discharge of its function of the enforcement of Part III of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 be carried out in Wiltshire by Birmingham City Council (pursuant to Section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972, Regulation 7 of the Local Authority (Arrangements for Discharge of Functions) (England) Regulations 2000 and Section 13 and 19 of the Local Government Act 2000).

That the “Protocol for Illegal Money Lending Team Investigations” (attached as Appendix 2 to the report) be agreed and authority be delegated to the Service Director, Public Protection to enter into the agreement on behalf of Council and approve minor alterations if required.

Reason for Decision

The proposal will add to the Council’s resources and will enable Wiltshire’s Trading Standards Service to have access to a team of highly trained experts from the Illegal Money Lending Team.

Report of the Chief Finance Officer is circulated

Cllr John Brady, Cabinet Member for Finance Performance and Risk, introduced a report which advised Members of the revenue budget monitoring position as at the end of Period 11 (February 2012) for the financial year 2011/12 and highlighted significant cost pressure and changes since the last report on 15 February 2012.

Cllr Brady referred to the need to reduce the use of cash, in view of the high cost of processing cash (around 20p per £100).  The majority of cash came in from Leisure and Car Parking services, and alternatives were being considered, including direct debit and paying for parking by phone.  Cllr Jon Hubbard made reference to the use of Paypoint, and a misleading message on Paypoint machines saying they could be used to pay Council Tax; this was not currently the case in Wiltshire. 

It was clarified that the overspend on Communications and Branding related to a drop in projected income from sponsorship, some of which had been offset by savings elsewhere in the service.  Some sponsorship deals were in the pipeline but would come into the 2012/13 budget, where the budgeted figure had been amended to reflect the current economic climate.

Referring to Bad Debt Provision, Cllr Brady also noted the Council’s excellent record in Council Tax collection rates.

Resolved:

Cabinet noted the outcome of the Period 11 (February) budget monitoring and the update movements since the previous report in February.

Reason for Decision

To inform effective decision making and to ensure a sound financial control environment.

There were no urgent items.