Agenda item

Context:

The purpose of the policy is to clarify Monmouthshire County Council’s responsibilities for providing transport to people requiring social care support.

Key Issues:

The Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 sets out the council’s duty to assess an individual’s need for support services. The Local Authority will have a duty to meet that need if the need cannot be met by the person’s own resources or community resources.

The need for transport is not an eligible need in its own right, but simply a means of accessing services and support. Assisted Transport usually helps people to access day opportunities, respite care, leisure services, and employment and training opportunities.

Monmouthshire County Council is able to provide transport through a variety of options to its residents with learning disabilities, people with physical disabilities, older persons and people with mental ill health.

The Council funds several community transport schemes across the county, mainly covering areas with less reliable transport links but not restricted to these areas. These options can be either dial-a-ride, Grass Routes, Bridges Community Car Scheme or befriender schemes.

The Council also operates the disabled bus pass and the concessionary (age-based) bus pass schemes, allowing anyone with a disability over the age of 5 and anyone above the retirement age who is a resident of Monmouthshire to apply for free bus travel out of peak times.

Member Scrutiny:

Following presentation of the report and ensuing discussion, the following points were raised:

A Member pointed out that, in a rural ward, residents have commented that vehicles provided for people with a disability are often large vehicles/4x4s.  It was added that residents may not understand how the costs are calculated and paid for. Clarification was provided that the authority does not provide vehicles; these are supplied under the Motability scheme via Department of Work and Pensions.  It was queried why basic, low insurance, low emission cars are not provided instead of larger vehicles and responded that there is no involvement from the authority concerning the vehicle type supplied but explained that there are some reasons why a larger vehicle would be required.  If a person was in possession of a Motability vehicle, they would be expected to use this vehicle and not to be provided with transport where possible.

It was commented that this was a comprehensive document that management will use.  It was queried what information will be available for members of the public.  It was confirmed that a public version (website and leaflet, information for Hubs) will be made available and Members were reassured that the information will be clear, accessible and easy to understand.

A Member asked if eligibility information would be made available to potential users and it was explained that transport on its own is not part of an assessed need but could be an element of a very thorough assessment of an individual’s needs (jointly addressed by the individual and Social Services). 

It was questioned what happens when the assessment is disputed and responded that better dialogue takes place in collaboration with the person, but if there is disagreement, further discussion or another assessment can be completed if necessary; there is also the availability of the complaints procedure.  The Chair emphasised the importance of clear information and communication about processes.    It was advised that the volume of appeals is very low.

The Cabinet Member for Social Care, Safeguarding and Health, declared that the policy will provide clear indicators for individuals to maintain independence; availing themselves of their own resources for services as necessary, with assistance for those assessed as needful.  In the interim, there will be an ongoing dialogue with those who have historically used services to find a mutually satisfactory outcome.

A Member commented on the importance of socialisation, and suggested that service users with their own vehicles could pick up other service users.  It was confirmed that transport will still be provided for day services for people unable to drive themselves subject to reasonableness, and their individual assessment.  It was added that there is a wider piece of work for the Future Monmouthshire programme on how to make best use of available transport in a co-ordinated way. 

In response to a query about forecasted reduction in service users, and budget savings, Members were reassured that there are relatively small numbers of people using assisted transport.  Implications for the Raglan Project and My Day My Life were queried. It was explained that further consideration will be given to transport needs to encourage people to lead an independent life. It was emphasised that there is no intention to restrict such work and service offers will be defined by individual needs based assessment.  The Cabinet Member confirmed that it will be a priority to think through the consequences of the proposals. 

With regards to savings, Select Committee was reminded that for the last six years, the authority has been providing frontline services across the board which have been refined and reconfigured to continue to provide services.  This has enabled small amounts of resource to be released to use on important services elsewhere.

A question was asked about Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and the effect on recipients’ ability to afford independent transport.  It was explained that there are inexpensive means of accessing the community via Grassroutes Bus, Dial a Ride, public transport with free bus passes (under certain criteria) for some people as well as healthier options such as walking.

A Member expressed concern about the availability of car parking at Mardy Park and commented that if service users are arriving independently and can’t park, they will be discouraged from attending for day care.  In response, it was explained that a review of day service needs is in progress and added that those who attend Mardy Park are usually those in most need of this service and will receive transport. 

     The Cabinet Member commented that it was preferable to have a policy in place to provide clarity.  It was suggested that new councillors would benefit from receiving a list of policies relevant to residents.

     A Member queried the degree of integration between Health and Social Care transport and how to avoid duplication of services.  It was explained that there is a lot of integration (three integrated teams) and multi-disciplinary assessments to define transport needs.  It was further raised that it was important to ensure that there is clear and consistent information/criteria on assessment for service users, team members and assessors.  It was urged that service users should be provided with information to explain who will be undertaking any assessment and reassurance was provided that the most appropriate person for the individual’s needs will carry out the assessment.

     In response to a question, it was explained that user groups had not been consulted and that feedback would be invited on its implementation in due course.

Recommendations

For members to consider and agree to the implementation of the policy.