Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received and noted from Councillor Quadir.

To move that in accordance with the Council’s Constitution, specifically the Access to Information Procedure Rules contained within the Constitution, the press and public be excluded from the meeting in respect of any consideration of the confidential appendix 5 to the following Item.

Appendix 5 to the Decision Report is not for publication by virtue of category 1 paragraph 10.4 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules as set out in the Council’s Constitution. The information is exempt from publication because it relates to employee related matters which are not in the public interest to disclose.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, specifically the Access to Information Procedure Rules contained within the Constitution, the Chair moved the press and public be excluded from the meeting in respect of any consideration of confidential information contained in Appendix 3 to the following item.

Appendix 3 contained information deemed to be exempt from general publication based on Category 1 of paragraph 10.4 of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules. The information was exempt from publication because it related to employee related matters which are not in the public interest to disclose. 

The Chair requested that, to enable the discussion to be held in public session, reference was not made to the details contained with the confidential appendix to the Cabinet report.  The Committee agreed and the meeting remained in open session for its entirety. 

The Committee considered the report of the Scrutiny Manager, detailing the Call-In of Executive Decision CAB 23/24 37963 – Holcroft House Options.

Councillor Fielker, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Housing was in attendance and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting. 

Keith Morrell, Linda Hayse, Chris Hodgson, Amanda Guest, Ruth Goldsworthy and Dave Smith representing residents and their families, Nick Chaffey, Socialist Party, Claire Ransom, Unite, Claire Edgar, Executive Director Wellbeing and Housing also with the consent of the Chair, addressed the meeting. 

Discussion took place regarding the following the reasons for Call-In.

1.  Officers in attendance at Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee (OSMC) were unable to provide detailed answers on fire safety works despite this being purported to be the principal reason for the recommendation to close the home. Requests for further details after the OSMC and Cabinet meetings were not provided.

2.  2022 Report of Independent Fire Safety expert was not provided to OSMC or Cabinet despite being referenced in Cabinet papers.

3.  Detailed market analysis not provided to OSMC or as part of the Cabinet Decision. At OSMC families said that a March 2023 market survey had not been shared.

4.  Concerns raised about market vulnerability – due to pressures of SCC funded places on private homes. This was not sufficiently addressed by the Cabinet Member at OSMC or Cabinet.

5.  Lack of timely response to the 43 written questions submitted by Unite. Responses not provided to the Union or OSMC, so were unable to inform discussions and questions at 14th September meeting of the OSMC.

RESOLVED that:

(i)  Cabinet does not recommend that the decision be reconsidered and that it can therefore be implemented without delay;

(ii)  to enhance decision making moving forward, sufficient time is allowed for appropriate engagement with stakeholders;

(iii)  the Executive Director for Wellbeing and Housing ensures that the Council effectively supports the movement of residents between care homes and that recommended best practice is followed in this regard; and

(iv)  at an appropriate time, an update report outlining progress with regards to the implementation of the recommendations within the Cabinet report is shared with the Committee.