Agenda item

Up to 30 minutes is allowed for this item.

 

Written questions

 

To answer any written questions from a County Councillor, (or any person living or working in the county, or is affected by the work of the County Council), about any matter which relates to any item on the agenda for this meeting.

 

The closing date for the receipt of written questions is 4.00 pm on Thursday 18 July 2019

 

A written answer will be provided for each written question and presented to the questioner and to Cabinet Members in advance of the meeting. The questions and answers will be taken as read at the meeting and need not be read out. At the discretion of the Leader of Council, each questioner in attendance at the meeting will be allowed to ask one supplementary question in response to the answer to the original question.

 

A copy of all written questions and written answers circulated at the meeting will be attached to the signed copy of the minutes of the meeting.

 

Please email questions for the attention of jo.moore@gloucestershire.gov.uk

 

Urgent questions

 

An urgent written question may be asked by a member of the public about any item on the Cabinet agenda for that meeting which the Chairperson considers could not have been reasonably submitted by the deadline for the receipt of written questions, provided he or she gives notice of the question to the Chief Executive by 12 noon the day before the meeting.

A total of 16 public questions and 30 member questions were submitted for consideration in advance of the meeting.

 

Please refer to the link below to view the responses to the questions: -

 

http://glostext.gloucestershire.gov.uk/documents/b15994/Questions%20and%20Answers%20Wednesday%2024-Jul-2019%2010.00%20Cabinet.pdf?T=9

 

If unable to access the document at the link above, please go to the link below and select the ‘Cabinet Questions and Answers’ PDF document at the top of the web page: - 

 

http://glostext.gloucestershire.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?MId=9229&x=1

 

The following supplementary questions were asked at the meeting.

 

Public Questions:

 

Question 1: Linda Phillips

 

Agenda Item 6: Future Provision of Care Homes in Gloucestershire and the Relevant Consultation

 

Reiterating concerns about the national crisis affecting Care in the Community and the NHS, Ms Phillips asked the cabinet member to oppose the proposed closure of two ‘unique and special care homes’ in the Stroud District and provide support to The Orders of the St John Trust by investing in the two establishments.

 

Response by: Cllr Roger Wilson (Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care: Commissioning) 

 

Cllr Wilson informed Ms Phillips that the impact of these issues would be considered later in the meeting. Cllr Wilson confirmed that a number of issues raised today had ‘been picked up’. 

 

Question 2: Sally Powell

 

Agenda Item 6: Future Provision of Care Homes in Gloucestershire and the Relevant Consultation

 

Ms Powell asked how could Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) guarantee sufficient suitable provision in the Stroud area to meet the needs of both GCC funded and self funded residents given the lack of assessment information regarding each resident's care needs?

 

Response by: Cllr Roger Wilson (Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care: Commissioning) 

 

Cllr Wilson confirmed that GCC officers had invested a huge amount of work into providing alternative places for the affected residents. 

Question 4: Sally Powell

 

Agenda Item 6: Future Provision of Care Homes in Gloucestershire and the Relevant Consultation

 

Given the provision of respite and new NHS placements provided by Wyatt House, Ms Powell enquired whether the County Council had engaged with carers and care providers to assess the impact of the proposed closures and to discuss what alternative provisions could be made?

 

Response by: Cllr Roger Wilson (Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care: Commissioning) 

 

Cllr Wilson confirmed that part of the consultation process, (pending the decision from today’s meeting), would be for officers to consider the number of places available to residents. He confirmed there would be places available after the decision was made.

 

Question 8: Sally Powell

 

Agenda Item 6: Future Provision of Care Homes in Gloucestershire and the Relevant Consultation

 

Ms Powell requested details of the budgeted works proposed for Wyatt House and asked, ‘on what basis had it been deemed necessary for the proposed works to the care homes be carried out and on the recommendation of which clinical body’?

 

Response by: Cllr Roger Wilson (Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care: Commissioning) 

 

Referring to details included in the detailed cabinet report, Cllr Wilson informed Ms Powell that various assessments, including assessments by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) had been undertaken, in addition to assessments undertaken by the management team at The Order of the St John Care Trust themselves.

 

Question 9: Sally Powell

 

Agenda Item 6: Future Provision of Care Homes in Gloucestershire and the Relevant Consultation

 

Ms Powell asked, (if unable to provide the exact number of available nursing care beds), how would the County Council guarantee there would be sufficient dementia nursing care beds in the Stroud locality to meet the needs of both GCC funded, self funded and Continuing Health Care funded individuals?”

 

Response by: Cllr Roger Wilson (Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care: Commissioning) 

 

Cllr Wilson stated the number of dementia care beds varied on a day to day basis but officers were confident there was sufficient provision in the Stroud locality at the moment.

 

Member Questions:

 

Question 2: Cllr Stephen Robinson

 

Agenda Item 6: Future Provision of Care Homes in Gloucestershire and the Relevant Consultation

 

Cllr Robinson asked whether there were any homes where GCC had failed to place people on the grounds of cost?

 

Response by: Cllr Roger Wilson (Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care: Commissioning) 

 

Cllr Wilson was not aware of any but agreed to find out.

 

Question 3: Cllr Stephen Robinson

 

Agenda Item 6: Future Provision of Care Homes in Gloucestershire and the Relevant Consultation

 

Cllr Robinson questioned why the decision to replace care homes had not been taken forward in 2007, (in accordance with the Joint Commissioning Strategy for Services for Older People)?

 

Response by: Cllr Roger Wilson (Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care: Commissioning) 

 

Cllr Wilson explained that the decision at today’s meeting did not take into consideration ancient history. He clarified his task was now to look to the future.

 

Question 4: Cllr Lesley Williams

 

Agenda Item 6: Future Provision of Care Homes in Gloucestershire and the Relevant Consultation

 

Cllr Williams questioned why the process for reviewing care homes, (referred to by the 2007 Joint Commissioning Strategy for Services for Older People), had been started but not followed in relation to the proposed changes to Southfield House and Wyatt House Care Homes?

 

Response by: Cllr Roger Wilson (Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care: Commissioning) 

 

Cllr Wilson reinforced the view of not taking into consideration ancient history but offered to meet with Cllr Williams to discuss past decisions in relation to proposed changes to Southfield House and Wyatt House Care Homes.

 

Question 5: Cllr Lesley Williams

 

Agenda Item 6: Future Provision of Care Homes in Gloucestershire and the Relevant Consultation

 

Cllr Williams asked why the Joint Commissioning Strategy for Services for Older People had not been reviewed during the past 12 years?

 

Response by: Cllr Roger Wilson (Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care: Commissioning) 

 

Stating that there was no obligation to undertake a review, Cllr Wilson reiterated that the decision at the meeting today was to focus on the future.

 

Question 6: Cllr Lesley Williams

 

Agenda Item 6: Future Provision of Care Homes in Gloucestershire and the Relevant Consultation

 

Cllr Williams asked why the proposed building works included in the council’s strategy had not been carried out?

 

Response by: Cllr Roger Wilson (Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care: Commissioning) 

 

Cllr Wilson clarified that he would discuss this with Cllr Williams at a later date.

 

Question 7: Cllr Lesley Williams

 

Agenda Item 6: Future Provision of Care Homes in Gloucestershire and the Relevant Consultation

 

Cllr Williams questioned why the issue had not been addressed before now?

 

Response by: Cllr Roger Wilson (Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care: Commissioning) 

 

Cllr Wilson offered to meet with Cllr Williams after the meeting to discuss historic matters.

 

Question 9: Cllr Lesley Williams

 

Agenda Item 6: Future Provision of Care Homes in Gloucestershire and the Relevant Consultation

 

Cllr Williams asked what steps would be taken to ensure residents were supported and relocated in the right homes. 

 

Response by: Cllr Roger Wilson (Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care: Commissioning) 

 

Cllr Wilson confirmed that every effort would be made to support the residents and families affected by the decision. Each resident would have access to a dedicated social worker, (plus an advocate, if this was required).

 

Question 10: Cllr Lesley Williams

 

Agenda Item 6: Future Provision of Care Homes in Gloucestershire and the Relevant Consultation

 

Expressing concern about the limitations placed on the choice of care home from the amount of funding afforded by the County Council, Cllr Williams asked how many places had been ruled out?. 

 

Response by: Cllr Roger Wilson (Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care: Commissioning) 

 

Cllr Wilson clarified that there would be individual negotiations with care homes. 

 

Question 16: Cllr Lesley Williams

 

Agenda Item 6: Future Provision of Care Homes in Gloucestershire and the Relevant Consultation

 

Cllr Williams asked if there was an opportunity to re-purpose the homes, working with Stroud District Council to redevelop into accommodation for homeless people?

 

Response by: Cllr Roger Wilson (Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care: Commissioning) 

 

Cllr Wilson assured members any proposal would be considered if it was appropriate.

 

Question 17: Cllr Paul Hodgkinson

 

Agenda Item 6: Future Provision of Care Homes in Gloucestershire and the Relevant Consultation

 

Referring to the timescales and start date of the consultation, Cllr Hodgkinson questioned whether the cabinet member considered 24 hours notice for the resident and family meetings held in each care home sufficient?

 

Response by: Cllr Roger Wilson (Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care: Commissioning) 

 

Cllr Wilson explained that the advice had been to take action as quickly as possible after the announcement was made to avoid increased anxiety levels amongst those affected by the decision. The decision to consider the future of care homes in Gloucestershire originated last year and was supported by the cabinet. The aim of the meetings had been to ensure everyone had an opportunity to attend one of the presentations as quickly as possible. Cllr Wilson was sorry if some people had not been able to attend.

 

Question 18: Cllr Paul Hodgkinson

 

Agenda Item 6: Future Provision of Care Homes in Gloucestershire and the Relevant Consultation

 

Questioning that, given the decision on the proposed closure of the care homes had already been made, Cllr Hodgkinson asked what the potential changes from consulting on the impact of the closures might be?

 

Response by: Cllr Roger Wilson (Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care: Commissioning) 

 

Cllr Wilson clarified that the consultation aimed to minimise the impact of the decisions by considering individual circumstances and consulting with each resident.

 

Question 19: Cllr Paul Hodgkinson

 

Agenda Item 6: Future Provision of Care Homes in Gloucestershire and the Relevant Consultation

 

Questioning how the care homes had been informed of the proposed closures, Cllr Hodgkinson asked if the depth of feeling that had arisen from the proposals had been evident in previous consultations and if the cabinet member thought this had been the right process?

 

Response by: Cllr Roger Wilson (Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care: Commissioning) 

 

Referring to the petition he had received at Shire Hall earlier that morning, Cllr Wilson said he understood the depth of feeling the proposals had created. The Council was following due process: Cllr Wilson believed the decision was the right decision for the council to make.

 

Question 20: Cllr Paul Hodgkinson

 

Agenda Item 6: Future Provision of Care Homes in Gloucestershire and the Relevant Consultation

 

Cllr Hodgkinson stressed the importance of friendship networks and the impact of the decision on friends and families. Questioning the detriment to the health of those affected by the decision, Cllr Hodgkinson asked if the decision had any bearing on the cabinet member’s conscience?

 

Response by: Cllr Roger Wilson (Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care: Commissioning) 

 

Cllr Wilson believed the matter had nothing to do with conscience. He said the decision was the right decision in relation to delivering Adult Social Care in the County. Acknowledging the importance of the friendship networks that existed at the care homes, Cllr Wilson confirmed that individual conversations would form part of the consultation and, wherever possible, friends would stay together.

 

Question 21: Cllr Paul Hodgkinson

 

Agenda Item 6: Future Provision of Care Homes in Gloucestershire and the Relevant Consultation

 

Cllr Hodgkinson referred to the ‘good’ performance ratings accredited to the care homes by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Questioning the impact of the decision on the staff at the care homes, Cllr Hodgkinson asked if more investment in marketing the quality of care provided at the homes might achieve better occupancy levels?

 

Response by: Cllr Roger Wilson (Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care: Commissioning) 

 

Cllr Wilson clarified that marketing the care homes was the role of the Order of the St John Trust, not GCC. Acknowledging the impact of the decision on staff at the care homes, Cllr Wilson accepted it was inevitable some staff members would seek employment elsewhere and need to be replaced by agency staff.

 

Question 22: Cllr Paul Hodgkinson

 

Agenda Item 6: Future Provision of Care Homes in Gloucestershire and the Relevant Consultation

 

Noting the response to his original question, stating ‘no council-funded resident would be worse off as a result of the changes’, Cllr Hodgkinson asked if there were any guarantees no self-funding resident would be worse off?

 

Response by: Cllr Roger Wilson (Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care: Commissioning) 

 

Cllr Wilson stated he could not give guarantees about self-funding residents. The choice of care home was the decision of individual residents. If they chose a more expensive care home, that would be their decision.

 

Question 23: Cllr Paul Hodgkinson

 

Agenda Item 6: Future Provision of Care Homes in Gloucestershire and the Relevant Consultation

 

Cllr Hodgkinson asked if the cabinet member would commit to visiting the care homes again as part of the consultation?

 

Response by: Cllr Roger Wilson (Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care: Commissioning) 

 

Cllr Wilson confirmed he and cabinet colleague, Cllr Kathy Williams, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care Delivery, had visited the care homes already and would be happy to hear the views of the residents and their families.

 

Question 26: Cllr Eva Ward

 

Agenda Item 6: Future Provision of Care Homes in Gloucestershire and the Relevant Consultation

Cllr Ward reported that she had recently met with the Chief Executive Officer of The Order of the St John Trust and had enquired about the outcomes measurement to be used for the residents of the two care homes. Cllr Ward asked if an outcomes report would be published for members to scrutinise in 3 to 6 months time?

 

Response by: Cllr Roger Wilson (Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care: Commissioning) 

 

Referring to recent changes to the council’s scrutiny process, including the creation of an Adult Social Care and Communities Committee, Cllr Wilson confirmed that the proposed closure of the care homes was entirely the sort of issue the committee could agree to scrutinise. Cllr Wilson said he would be pleased to report on this issue to the committee.

 

Question 28: Cllr Eva Ward

 

Agenda Item 6: Future Provision of Care Homes in Gloucestershire and the Relevant Consultation

 

Cllr Ward asked if capital receipts from the disposal of the two properties would be ring-fenced for Stroud?

 

Response by: Cllr Roger Wilson (Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care: Commissioning) 

 

Cllr Wilson said this was unusual; but that he would commend to cabinet to consider ring-fencing money to use in Adult Social Care.

 

Question 29: Cllr Paul Hodgkinson

 

Agenda Item 10: Future Provision of Care Homes in Gloucestershire and the Relevant Consultation

 

Referring to a motion at passed at the council meeting on 15 May 2019, committing the council to “consider its contracts going forward to oblige all contractors to report their carbon emissions and to place a ‘carbon/environmental cost’ on competing bids”, Cllr Hodgkinson noted that no decision had been made on the suggestion that the Dynamic Purchasing System oblige all providers to report their carbon emissions, and questioned why the proposal had not formed part of the council’s policies from the start?

 

Response by: Cllr Nigel Moor (Cabinet Member: Environment and Planning) 

 

Cllr Moor confirmed that the timeline for the council’s carbon and climate strategy would be considered later in the year, at the November cabinet meeting. The procurement policy to form part of the strategy.