Issue - items at meetings - Review of Learning Disability Commissioning Strategy and 3-year Financial Plan

Report of Director of Adult Social Care & Housing (copy attached).

(1)       That the Learning Disability Commissioning Strategy for Brighton & Hove 2009-20012 attached as Appendix 1 be agreed.

(2)       That it is noted that the amount estimated by the council for the transfer of learning disability social care funding and commissioning from Brighton & Hove City Teaching Primary Care Trust to Brighton & Hove City Council of £6,150,498 in 2007/8 (as set out on page 25 of Appendix 1) has been submitted to the Department of Health as required on 1 December 2008.

29.1    The Board considered a report of the Director of Adult Social Care & Housing which presented an attached Learning Disability Commissioning Strategy for Brighton & Hove 2009-2012.  The strategy set out how social care and specialist health services for people with learning disabilities that are funded through the Section 75 agreement would be commissioned over the next 3 years (for copy see minutes book). 

29.2    The Director of Adult Social Care & Housing explained that the report had already been agreed at the Housing Cabinet Member Meeting.  More detailed plans would be considered in a budget report in February 2009. 

29.3    Councillor Norman considered that the strategy should be endorsed.  He was particularly interested in the personalisation aspect to the strategy. 

29.4    Janice Robinson considered the strategy to be excellent in terms of the broad direction of travel.  She was pleased it focused on extra demand.  She hoped that the Board would receive a more detailed strategy in due course, with more information on costs, and specifics on what would be done to meet these aims. 

29.5    Denise Stokoe asked if there was going to be a financial strategy to move more provision to people with mild learning difficulties.  Diana Bernhardt, Head of Supporting People & Lead Commissioner for Learning Disabilities replied that officers were looking at the services being provided at that low level.  The services were being remodelled to be more responsive. 

29.6    Richard Ford agreed with the idea of supporting people with autism disorders.  The Sussex Partnership Trust had opened up a small scale assessment for people with autism disorders.  Existing resources needed to be remodelled.  Diana Bernhardt reported that there would be an autistic strategy.    

29.7    The Deputy Director of Strategic Commissioning PCT welcomed the strategy but recognised that more work needed to be carried out regarding a holistic approach to health.  There would be a much more detailed action plan in the future. 

29.8    Councillor Taylor referred to paragraph 5.2 - Financial Implications.   He asked what strategies were in place to make the £30 m stretch further taking account of inflation and an increased number of people using the service by 2011.  What would be done to protect low level need from high level expensive needs?

29.9    Diana Bernhardt drew attention to the 3 year Financial Plan, Targets and Timescales set out in the Strategy.  This showed the direction of travel for the following three years.  The Director of Adult Social Care & Housing stressed that there was a shift from expensive acute care to targeted prevention. 

29.10  Councillor Taylor referred to the 33% allocated for self directed support and asked how this figure was calculated.  The Director of Adult Social Care & Housing explained that 33% of the budget was allocated for self directed support and this equated to roughly about 33% of people.  She would like to see an increase in Self Directed support in future years.

29.11  The Head of Financial Services stated that when the budget was presented to the Board, it would detail the different costs. 

29.12  Councillor Taylor stressed that by 2012, 60% to 70% would not have accepted self directed support.  He asked for assurance that their needs would be met.  Diana Bernhardt replied that there was a lot of emphasis in the strategy on continuing to improve work in existing services.  There was no reason why people receiving existing services should not have their service personalised. 

29.13  RESOLVED - (1)      That the Learning Disability Commissioning Strategy for Brighton & Hove 2009-20012 attached as Appendix 1 be agreed.

(2)       That it is noted that the amount estimated by the council for the transfer of learning disability social care funding and commissioning from Brighton & Hove City Teaching Primary Care Trust to Brighton & Hove City Council of £6,150,498 in 2007/8 (as set out on page 25 of Appendix 1) has been submitted to the Department of Health as required on 1 December 2008.