To receive any questions from members of the public which have been submitted in advance of the meeting in accordance with the cabinet procedure rules.
Minutes:
Public question from Matthew Egan
1. The following public question was asked by Matthew Egan to Councillor Catherine McDonald, cabinet member for health and adult social care:
“Is the cabinet aware of the damaging impact that zero hour contracts can have on both care standards for those people receiving homecare services in Southwark and on the workers providing it?"
Response by Councillor Catherine McDonald
“I recognise the potential impact and uncertainly that the use of 'zero hours' contracts can have for homecare workers - for example on their hours and income - and that 'zero hours' contracts along with many other factors can affect the quality of care provided.
I want to work towards eliminating providers' use of zero hours contracts to help front-line workers and to help in the quality of provision.
I want to thank Unison for providing its helpful ethical home care charter highlighting this issue. That is why I am asking cabinet to agree to create a task and finish group (with Unison and stakeholders' input) to support the implementation of principles of the charter (including those relating to the three outstanding areas and report back in Autumn 2013. I hope to be able to make firm commitments on each of the areas after receiving that report, subject to the results of that feasibility work.”
Public question from Sue Plain
2. The following public question was asked by Sue Plain to Councillor Catherine McDonald, cabinet member for health and adult social care:
“Can the council confirm that they have tested the contracts of employment issued to home care workers employed by London Care, Enara and other home care Agencies to determine whether they meet the "mutual obligation" criteria? If not, would you say on what grounds the council has described them as "permanent contracts" in the report "developing a quality strategy and best practice principles for home care services: initial review of Unison's ethical care charter.”
Response by Councillor Catherine McDonald
“The council has not reviewed each and every contract of employment in place between the many hundreds of home care workers employed by private sector providers and the wide range of other providers who operate in the borough, but I am aware that there will be many different arrangements.
I understand the reference to permanent contracts within the report (see paragraphs 53 and 54 of the report) sets out the council's interpretation of the principle of stage 2 of the charter that "zero hours" contracts will not be used in place of permanent contracts. The report makes no comment on whether employment contracts used by our local providers are permanent or not.
Home care workers provide a crucial service and we need to ensure they have fair terms and conditions. Zero hours contracts of employment create uncertainty for home care workers; their hours and income can fluctuate week to week. This is why I am asking officers to set up a task and finish group with input from Unison and stakeholders to look at the feasibility of all the options available to reduce the use of zero hours contracts.”