Agenda item - Formal Public Involvement

If you would like to ask a question or bring a deputation you will need to contact: tom.mccolgan@brighton-hove.gov.uk by 12 noon, 5 September 2018. If you want to bring a petition to the Board you will need to inform the secretary at least 10 working days ahead of the meeting you wish to attend.   

 

28.1    The Chair noted that four public questions had been received and asked John Kapp to ask his question:

 

            “What plans do the Board have to treat Rachel (65, depressed in sheltered accommodation) and Dave (40, alcoholic and homeless) in Community Care Centres, according to the Better Care Fund?”

 

28.2    The Chair responded:

 

“The Better Care Fund (BCF) is a programme spanning both the NHS and local government which seeks to join-up health and care services, so that people can manage their own health and wellbeing, and live independently in their communities for as long as possible.

 

“To attract the money a substantial plan has to be submitted based on evidence and impact. Once submitted the money has to be spent on those services and reports on progress made to national bodies. There is a potential claw back of any funds should they be spent on other things.

 

“There are a range of services in place to help people in the community. Our primary care provision is the first point for these and then referral can be made to higher levels of support if required. We have this in place for all residents including our homeless community.”

 

28.3    John Kapp stated that he believed that the Better Care Fund was worth around £28 Million and asked if the Chair could provide him with a breakdown of how it was spent.

 

28.4      The Chair stated that she would send a written response to the supplementary question.

 

28.5      The Chair invited Valerie Mainstone to put her question to the Board:

 

“In April 2018 the area served by the Low Vision Clinic in Brighton changed so that only residents of Brighton and Hove, not of outlying areas, could access the Clinic’s services. At the same time, the Clinical Commissioning Group withdrew its funding and Brighton and Hove City Council took over that responsibility up to March 2019.

What will happen to the service in Brighton and Hove from April 2019?”

 

 

28.6      The Chair responded:

 

“We are just in the process of starting the budget setting process for the 2019/20. We are not currently able to provide confirmation or otherwise about this or other services at this time. A report later in the meeting (Better Care Fund) shows the budget timeline of both the CCG and the Council.  

“Given the Council is funding this service and there are no contributions from the other councils we have to consider ensuring the low vision clinic responds to our resident’s needs. West Sussex and East Sussex County Councils commission low vision services for their populations.”

 

28.7      Valerie Mainstone asked what the impact on the clinic had been of only serving residents of Brighton & Hove.

 

28.8      The Chair stated that she would respond in writing to the Supplementary Question.

 

28.9      The Chair asked Jim Deans to come forward and ask his question:

 

“Committee are aware of the questions surrounding "Malnutrition" and the ending of "meals on wheels" service. It's  been stated that the service was replaced by a "as like" offer. This has been explored by Sussex Homeless Support (SHS) contacting service and viewing web-site offering. This is a paid service and there is no provision for benefits claimers identified as in danger. One of the providers has a minimum £30 order. Many of the clients in emergency accommodation receive £52 a week benefit they pay a service charge of between £17-£25 to hostels leaving it impossible to pay minimum £7 meal per day delivered by the second provider.

 

“The "Discretionary Fund" will not consider applications for meal service.

 

“Is the committee aware of this and would the committee check this information is correct and make the appropriate change to allow the Discretionary Fund to cover applications?”

 

28.10   The Chair responded:

 

“As the Board is aware we recently had a report about Food and Food Poverty to the Board. It was agreed that a report will come back to this Board looking at malnutrition in the city.

 

If there is any resident (be they in their own accommodation, vulnerably housed or homeless) that has food and nutrition needs we would urge them or any friend, family, voluntary or community service to make contact through Access Point so a full assessment of Community their eligible needs can be made to ensure that the council is meeting its statutory responsibilities.

 

Community Meals is not a universal service. It is intended for people who have been assessed and identified in their care plans as unable to   cook for themselves. In addition there are people who prefer to use this service but who do not meet the criteria and therefore pay for the meals themselves.

 

The changes were made to the service in 2016 in response to the provider no longer wishing to offer the service. A full review of services users was undertaken and their needs highlighted a range of issues. The new service offer reflects the needs they expressed.  A follow up report post implementation was also undertaken and a report came to the board which showed a significant increase not only in satisfaction but also using other services such as meal clubs.

 

With regard to the Local Discretionary Social Fund. This is a specific fund that can help people who find themselves in a difficult situation and need emergency help with:

•           Getting food & groceries

•           Paying for gas and electricity payments

•           Other things you might need in an emergency.

 

An application can be made online here: https://new.brighton-hove.gov.uk/benefits/help-and-support/get-emergency-help-food-energy-bills-and-other-essentials “

 

28.11   Jim Deans called on the Board to lead a full review of services surrounding temporary and emergency accommodation in particular those classed as supported and to work with charities in the review who were picking up the duty of care which should be the responsibility of Brighton & Hove City Council.

 

28.12   The Chair stated that she would provide a written response to the supplementary question.

 

28.13   The Chair invited Amanda Bishop to ask her question:

 

“Please can you confirm the number of deaths in supported/ emergency accommodation in the last three years.”

 

28.14  The Chair responded:

 

“This is a very timely question as today we have the Housing First report which I hope you will stay for.

 

“The Adult Safeguarding Boards for Brighton and also East Sussex have been monitoring and reporting about safeguarding concerns for homeless and vulnerably housed people to the Board for over 2 years. This includes a range of issues not just deaths. We are due to have their latest annual report at our November Board and some of the content will cover the concern you have raised as it is part of their ongoing work plan.

 

“There is a lot of work in place but also more is required try and understand this issue. We have to understand that people will die and do die but it is trying to ensure we learn from any preventable early deaths and put in place appropriate support and interventions. Any homeless death is therefore considered against the criteria for a Safeguarding Adult review.

 

“In looking into your question it was clear that a short answer will not suffice and I was considering asking for a report to be commissioned to come back to the Board. However we are aware there is a Notice of Motion going to Housing and New Homes committee on 19th September covering a similar issue.  I therefore propose that a joint report be commissioned to go to both this Board and the Housing and New Homes Committee covering the issues you have raised to include:

•           information on deaths

•           support services that are available to those in temporary accommodation

•           a review of services users that are currently in Kendall Court

 

plus any  additional area that the Housing and New Homes  wish to include. This report will come back to the November Health and Wellbeing Board.”

 

28.15  Amanda Bishop stated that deaths of individuals reported in the press recently had been concerning and some had suggested these deaths had resulted from people being placed in accommodation in the surrounding towns away from their usual support network. She called on the Board to conduct an immediate review of the current accommodation and support offered to the clients to include Councillor visits to the supported accommodation to speak with the residents there as it appeared that there was something very wrong with the support that was being provided.

 

28.16  The Chair noted the supplementary question and stated that she would ask officers to incorporate the issues raised into a report on support for homelessness support services which was due to come to a future meeting.