(R1)  

The Task and Finish Group recommend to Cabinet that -

1.

the proposals regarding the decommissioning of the Welby Community Unit alongside the increased capacity at the Colwill Lodge facility are approved;

2.

further development of personal budgets and the re-provision of residential respite are approved;

(Subject to further consultation received before the end of the consultation period)

(R2)

the group felt that the Welby building was not fit for purpose and the costs associated with its maintenance were not value for money. It was accepted by the panel that the forward direction with relation to personalisation gave control to service users and their families and noted the enthusiasm for alternative respite arrangements as expressed through the extensive consultation process;

(R3)

the Task and Finish Group recommend to Cabinet that Disability Related Benefits are removed from assessable income and therefore the Disability Related Expenses are removed from the financial assessment process to reduce bureaucracy and simplify the process;

(R4)

the maximum contribution should not be set at 100% of the personal budget and a cap on contributions should remain;

(R5)

a transitional period of 12 months and support from social care officers should be implemented to help people whose contributions change;

(R6)

information provided to service users should focus on eligibility and charging and should be in simple terms and plain English. One to one advice must also be available for those service users whose contributions are likely to change;

(R7)

the consultation process had been extensive and properly carried out;

(R8)

the Task and Finish Group recommend to Cabinet that the future direction for residential care for older people is extra care facilities;

(R9)

facilities within Frank Cowl are outdated and the costs of keeping the building open are unsustainable and not value for money;

(R10)

it was considered that there had been sufficient consultation with users and their families but that Adult Social Care should provide them with a further opportunity to engage before the end of the consultation process.