Agenda item

To discuss a position update

Context:

The Adults Select committee were presented with a report, the purpose was to update Adults Select Committee members of the on-going development of Mardy Park Resource Centre [MPRC] as set out in the review report and Adult Select Committee report September 2015 and to seek endorsement for the recommendations set out below prior to Cabinet reports in April 2016.

Key Issues:

1.    A brief background to the review, themes and outcomes is given in Appendix 4 of the report.

2.    Following approval from Cabinet in October 2015, work commenced to implement the recommendations of the review (Appendix 1). Individual work streams were established (including staffing, rehabilitation services, short breaks, community development & involvement) with representation from the staff teams, partners, elected members and others to deliver the finalised models of service delivery.  Work to implement the recommendations of the review is progressing well and a brief update will be given in committee.

3.    We are a critical point in implementing the staffing and accommodation work streams and approvals are now required to move forward with implementation.

4.    The staffing at Mardy Park is disproportionate to the needs of the service. It is necessary to reduce the staffing complement to support the new models of service delivery.

5.    Current infrastructure does not support the development of integration and place based services. Accommodation is limited and has an impact on the well-being of staff and their ability to undertake all necessary duties.

6.    Current accommodation places limits on our ability to work with partners in the Aneurin Bevan Health Board and to develop co-located services that provide seamless, rather than disjointed, services to the people of Abergavenny

Member Scrutiny:

Following the presentation of the report Members were invited to comment:

• Members of the committee commended the facility and welcomed the update report on Mardy Park and recognised that helpful engagement meetings had been held over the past 2 years.
• We welcomed that communication and understanding had improved and developed through engagement with the select committee.
• A member highlighted that the service required further promotion.  Officers reassured that this had been done, through newspaper articles and the Communications team.
• Clarification was requested regarding staff implications.  The committee were informed that 7 out of the 9 redundancies were voluntary.  There would be opportunity for redeployment and redundancy would be last resort.
• A member recognised the need to build on the links with end of life care pathway.  Officers confirmed that they were dedicated to develop a specialist support network, which supported the good work delivered by community re-ablement service.
• The committee welcomed further discussion with the Cabinet Member and Leader to progress the issue and dialogue with health board.

Recommendations:

1.    That ASC endorse the on-going development of Mardy Park Resource Centre as a community hub supporting the health and well-being of the Bryn-y-Cwm community.

2.    That ASC support the application for a call on reserves of £105,000 to fund expected redundancies as a result of the service redesign.

3.    That ASC support the application to set up a capital budget for 2016 / 2017 (funded from reserves) to support the changes to accommodation required.