Social Work And Health Committee - 13/08/2007

At a MEETING of the SOCIAL WORK AND HEALTH COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 13th August, 2007.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Bailie Helen WRIGHT, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 25th June, 2007 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I REVIEW OF SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT SERVICE PLAN 2003-2007

There was submitted Report No 406-2007 by the Director of Social Work providing information on the progress of the major activities outlined in Dundee City Council Social Work Department Service Plan 2003-2007. A print-out of the Corporate Performance Monitoring Database, Social Work performance indicators and projects requiring approval for extensions were included as appendices.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note the content of this report; and

(ii) to approve the extension for significant projects to be carried on to the new Service Plan. These were detailed in Appendix 3 of the report.

II PROPOSAL FOR A BEST VALUE REVIEW OF THE USE OF RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS AND OTHER RESIDENTIALPLACEMENTS OUTWITH THE COUNCIL

There was submitted Report No 364-2007 by the Director of Social Work seeking approval to conduct a Best Value Review on the use of residential school placements and other residential placements outwith the Council, with a view to ensuring optimum outcomes for young people and effective use of available resources.

The Committee approved the proposal as outlined in the report and further agreed that Bailie Ian Borthwick be included in the Core Group membership.

III MENTAL HEALTH OFFICER SERVICE

There was submitted Joint Report No 361-2007 by the Director of Social Work and Assistant Chief Executive (Management) highlighting recent developments and service requirements in ensuring the Council was able to meet its statutory duties under the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 2003.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note the content of the report;

(ii) to the proposal as detailed in paragraph 6.5 of the report; and

(iii) to remit the Director of Social Work and Assistant Chief Executive (Management) to progress staffing implications.

IV PAYMENTS FOR SERVICES PROVIDED BY VOLUNTARY BODIES 2007/2008

Councillor Ken Lynn declared a non-financial interest in this item of business by virtue of his employment with Dundee Cyrenians.

There was submitted Report No 405-2007 by the Director of Social Work detailing the recommendations of the Director of Social Work on the level of payments for services provided by voluntary organisations for 2007/2008.

The Committee agreed payments to the voluntary organisations listed in Appendix 1 of the report at the levels outlined, subject to the Director of Social Work remaining satisfied that the service provided met the service specification.

V CHOOSE LIFE

On a reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of 16th February, 2004, wherein proposals for the implementation of the Choose Life Strategy were approved, there was submitted Agenda Note AN204-2007 reporting that the Choose Life Steering Group had now approved bids for Choose Life funding as follows:-

The Committee agreed to the release of Choose Life funding as indicated.

VI ASSOCIATION OF DIRECTORS OF SOCIAL WORK - CRIMINAL JUSTICE CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION 2007

There was submitted Agenda Note AN205-2007 reporting that the Criminal Justice Conference of the Association of the Directors of Social Work would take place at Crieff Hydro from Thursday, 25th October to Friday, 26th October, 2007.

The cost of attendance would be 380 plus VAT per person, excluding travel and subsistence allowances.

The Committee agreed that elected member attendance be on the basis of one member of the Administration, one of member of the SNP Group and one member of the Conservative Group.

VII BUILDING BETTER CHILDHOODS CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION 2007

There was submitted Agenda Note AN206-2007 reporting that the Conference for Building Better Childhoods would take at Aviemore Highland Resort from Thursday, 6th September to Friday, 7th September, 2007.

The cost of attendance would be 335 plus VAT per person, excluding travel and subsistence allowances.

The Committee agreed that elected member attendance be on the basis of one member of the Administration and one member of the SNP Group.

Helen WRIGHT, Convener.