Issue - meetings

For cabinet to agree: 

• To end council block contracts to voluntary sector open access day services/lunch clubs
• To work intensively to embed the personal budget model for users of these services with eligible care and support needs by end August 2011 as an alternative means of income for organisations
• To launch an innovation fund, where organisations can bid for funding to support transformation and the development of hubs and encourage future financial self-sustainability.
• To implement proposals to decommission community support services for older people (information, advice, advocacy and befriending) from April 2012 and develop a new service specification that supports the objectives of maintaining independence.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the council contribution to voluntary sector open access day services/lunch clubs be reduced by ceasing block contracting arrangements and funding eligible individuals through personal budgets.

2.  That officers work intensively to embed the personal budget model for users of these services with eligible care and support needs, as an alternative means of income for organisations, by end August 2011.

3.  That an innovation fund be launched, where organisations can bid for funding to support transformation and the development of hubs and encourage future financial self-sustainability.

4.  That agreement be given to the implementation of proposals to re-commission community support services for older people (information, advice, advocacy and befriending) from April 2012 by inviting bids against a revised service specification that supports the objectives of maintaining independence, health and wellbeing and effective personalised services.