Agenda item

Cabinet Member Ian Chandler and Jane Rodgers introduced the report and answered the Members’ questionswith Nicholas Keyse and Clare Morgan. 

Key points raised by the Committee Members

·     Numerous Members were dissatisfied with the scoring process, and the individual scores allocated to the buildings and gave examples of what they felt was a lack of consistency in the application of scores.  The Cabinet Member asked whether the right buildings had been shortlisted.  Members didn’t disagree and there were no views put forward that any other buildings should feature on the shortlist. The Cabinet Member offered to hold a session with members to explain the criteria, which can be arranged at the committee’s discretion.  He also stressed that following this initial sift each building would be looked at again with the involvement of current and potential service users.

·     Members consider the Integrated Impact Assessment could have been stronger in terms of the age category, but also in respect of sex (not gender), in recognition that many carers will be female and therefore, there would be consequential impacts on their ability to work and their well-being. Members highlighted that people with learning disabilities may also have other co-morbid health issues, which should be recognised.  Members felt the assessment needed to accurately reflect the need of carers, in addition to service users.

·     The Committee noted that the eligibility criteria for the service had changed, which suggests a lower numbers of service users than the Committee expected. This raised a concern as to whether people are being adequately supported.

·     Several Members suggested Tudor Street Day Centre was their preferred choice of location for a base in Abergavenny.  Members advocated the need for a kitchen and a garden to enable people to continue those activities they really enjoy in any future buildings.

·     Members heard that unpaid carers also used the Tudor Street Day Centre as a place to have some respite.  Transport to services was also highlighted, members reflecting that some carers had found that the time taken to transport those cared for to services, meant that there was only a short period of respite for them, before needing to collect them.

·     Members felt strongly that people with learning disabilities are vulnerable members of the public who should be supported and should not have to fight for services.

Chair’s Summary:

The Chair thanked everyone for their patience throughout the process and the public for their attendance and valuable contribution. He also thanked Cabinet Members and Officers for their input and concluded:

·       There was broad support from the committee for the recommendations of the review and a strong desire to see the work progress at a pace.

·       The Cabinet Member had stated that he would hold workshops service users over the summer to seek their preferences and gather further information on the three shortlisted buildings, which the Committee supported.  Members were able to identify any other suitable buildings they felt were suitable for consideration and inform the Cabinet Member. 

·       The Committee requests that the Cabinet Member takes into account the points provided in this summary when making further decisions on the My Day My Life Service.

·       A formal summary would be presented by the Chair to the Cabinet to reflect the views of the Committee, together with some additional comments for the Executive to consider in their future decision-making.