Resolved

1.         That funding as per Service Agreements be continued to the twelve organisations which are achieving agreed targets and outputs;

2.         That Officers in consultation with the Lead Member for Adults Health and Wellbeing be delegated authority to negotiate proportionate reduced funding for the duration of the service agreement, if St Hilda’s does not achieve full outputs by the end of Quarter 1 (June 2010);

3.         That Officers in consultation with the Lead Member for Adults Health and Wellbeing be delegated authority to negotiate a reduced rate of funding and a reduced target for days with RADICLE at St James the Less and review progress against targets at the end of Quarter 1 (June 2010);

4.         That Officers in consultation with the Lead Member for Adults Health and Wellbeing be delegated authority to negotiate proportionate funding to Toynbee Hall, and review progress against targets at the end of Quarter 1 (June 2010); and

5.         That Officers in consultation with the Lead Member for Adults Health and Wellbeing be delegated authority to renegotiate outputs and funding with Women’s Health and Family Services with a variation in the Service Agreement being in place by the beginning of Quarter 2 (July 2010).

Action by:

ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR ADULTS HEALTH AND WELLBEING (H. TAYLOR)

Service Head, Commissioning Manager, Older People, Adults Health and Wellbeing.

Commissioning Manager, Older People Adults Health and Wellbeing (B. Disney)

Ms Barbara Disney (Commissioning Manager, Older People Adults Health and Wellbeing ) presented the report which presented Members with details of funding for Older People Lunch Club projects for the period up until the end of Quarter 3 (December 2009). The report requested that Officers be delegated to take forward a number of recommendations.

In relation to project progress (as set out in Appendix A), Ms Disney drew attention to the following matters.

St Hilda’s. There had been some improvement in performance and an increase in attendance. The organisation was achieving a high percentage of their targets. Members welcomed the fact they had taken on board their suggestions.

Members expressed support for the approach proposed given their good track record.

In relation to the recommendations, Councillor Francis requested that the following be added to recommendations 2.2, 2.3 2.4 and 2.5 which was seconded by Councillor Asad.

“….in consultation with the Lead Member for Adults Health and Wellbeing”

St James the Less – RADICLE. Ms Disney reported that officers had carried out a considerable amount of work with the organisation. The project provided services for Hackney residents.  However the Council did not fund these services. It was recommended that the service be decommissioned. The organisation was fully aware of the implications of this proposal and that it may result in their closure.

Members considered that, if decommissioned, there would be a significant gap in provision in the area. Given this, Members considered whether, instead of decommissioning, they should renegotiate a reduced rate of funding and a reduced rate of days with the organisation. Councillor Asad also considered that the group may wish to review their business plan and their communications policy.

Accordingly, Councillor Francis proposed an amendment to recommendation 2.3 which was supported by Councillor Asad regarding RADICLE at St James.

Toynbee Hall. The group had produced a good business plan. Their attendance levels had risen to seven clients per day. The group were confident that they could reach their targets. Members expressed support for the recommendation. Councillor Asad stressed the need to support the organisation given the scale of the overcrowding and social deprivation in the area.

Councillor Asad suggested that may also wish to explore the possibility of a merger with other groups and the possibly of running a project with Dementia support groups. Another option was to suggest they explore alternative accommodation.

Women’s Health and Family Services. Ms Disney reported that their average attendance levels were very low. Members asked questions about the location of their accommodation, whether one of their sites was based in Hanbury Street and the other was located in the Spitalfields area.

Members queried the size of the Somalia community in these areas compared to that elsewhere.  Ms Disney stated that officers could consider looking into these issues.

The Chair then moved the recommendations taking into account the amendments proposed and it was:

Resolved

1.         That funding as per Service Agreements be continued to the twelve organisations which are achieving agreed targets and outputs;

2.         That Officers in consultation with the Lead Member for Adults Health and Wellbeing be delegated authority to negotiate proportionate reduced funding for the duration of the service agreement, if St Hilda’s does not achieve full outputs by the end of Quarter 1 (June 2010);

3.         That Officers in consultation with the Lead Member for Adults Health and Wellbeing be delegated authority to negotiate a reduced rate of funding and a reduced target for days with RADICLE at St James the Less and review progress against targets at the end of Quarter 1 (June 2010);

4.         That Officers in consultation with the Lead Member for Adults Health and Wellbeing be delegated authority to negotiate proportionate funding to Toynbee Hall, and review progress against targets at the end of Quarter 1 (June 2010); and

5.         That Officers in consultation with the Lead Member for Adults Health and Wellbeing be delegated authority to renegotiate outputs and funding with Women’s Health and Family Services with a variation in the Service Agreement being in place by the beginning of Quarter 2 (July 2010).

Action by:

ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR ADULTS HEALTH AND WELLBEING (H. TAYLOR)

Service Head, Commissioning Manager, Older People, Adults Health and Wellbeing.

Commissioning Manager, Older People Adults Health and Wellbeing (B. Disney)