Agenda and minutes

(a)  Minutes of the 4^th December 2018 deferred to the next meeting of the PAC; and

(b)  To note the outstanding actions.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of Tuesday, 4 December 2019, be deferred.

If a Councillor has a disclosable pecuniary interest in a particular item, whether or not it is entered in the Authority’s register of interests, or any other significant interest which they consider should be declared in the public interest, they should declare the existence and, unless it is a sensitive interest as defined in the Member Code of Conduct, the nature of the interest at the commencement of the consideration of that item or as soon as it becomes apparent.

At meetings where members of the public are allowed to be in attendance and speak, any Councillor with a disclosable pecuniary interest or other significant interest may also make representations, give evidence or answer questions about the matter. The Councillor must then withdraw immediately from the meeting before the matter is discussed and any vote taken.

Where Members of the public are not allowed to be in attendance and speak, then the Councillor with a disclosable pecuniary interest should withdraw from the meeting whilst the matter is under consideration. Councillors who have declared other significant interests should also withdraw from the meeting if they consider their continued participation in the matter would not be reasonable in the circumstances and may give rise to a perception of a conflict of interest.

Councillors are not obliged to withdraw from the meeting where a dispensation to that effect has been obtained from the Audit, Pensions and Standards Committee.

None.

This report presents the fourth Annual Report of the Safeguarding Adult Executive Board (SAEB). The multi-agency Board provides leadership of adult safeguarding across the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham; the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea; and the City of Westminster.

Councillor Richardson welcomed Mike Howard, the former triborough, Independent Chair, of the Safeguarding Adults Executive Board (SAEB).  This was the final, annual report of the triborough SAEB, following disaggregation. Mr Howard confirmed that he had been appointed as chair of the new SAEB, for Hammersmith & Fulham, as of 1 July 2018.  Mr Howard commented that he was very proud of the report (which covered the period 2017/18), and which was presented in a similar format to that of previous years.  The format was in the style of a magazine to make it easier, and more interesting to read.  Many organisations worked collaboratively and in partnership, to support the work the SAEB, and the report showed how safeguarding was not just the responsibility of the Council. 

The SAEB helped keep the people of the Borough safe, protecting those at risk of either physical, emotional, or financial harm, making a positive difference to the quality of lives.  The SAEB advocated a person centric focus, supporting an individual’s personal choices, rather than what a practitioner might recommend was in that person’s best interests. Using the example of people with dementia, it was important to understand that there were differing levels of need and that service commissioners needed to be aware that there were a wide range of symptoms to be accommodated appropriately.  The back of the report (page 26) listed statistics, from which the safeguarding journey could be inferred.  Some examples included: the percentage of adults in the population without support; the number of safeguarding enquiries received; the percentage of those at risk; and the impact of the enquiry on the person identified as at risk.

The review period ended at 31 March 2018, and a detailed breakdown of the number of enquiries received was provided and categorised, according to type and outcome.  An ongoing concern had been the lack case closure.  Two out of three cases resulted in successful outcomes but more closure of cases was required. Although more recently, it was confirmed that there was a higher rate of closure, with greatly improved outcomes.  It was also important to understand that in some cases, the risk remained.  Frequently, where the abuser was a son or daughter, people were reluctant for the matter to formally progress and did not want the police involved. 

Councillor Richardson commended the report, and noted that the key issues were well documented.  The report was easy to read and brought safeguarding issues to life.  Councillor Richardson congratulated Mr Howard on his appointment and his continuing role.  It was confirmed that the SAEB was newly established and held its first meeting in September, maintaining an ethos of engaging directly with communities.  All the sub-groups of the Board where chaired by professional leads from other agencies, and not the Council: 

1. Safeguarding Adults Review - Chaired by the Head of Safeguarding for the West London Mental Health Trust.  This sub-committee undertook middle-management reviews of cases to understand what was going wrong;

2. Co-production - To look at established policies and procedures,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 222.

This report presents the findings of The Older People’s Commission (OPC) formed in November 2017 to examine ways of improving the quality of life for all older residents and making Hammersmith and Fulham (H&F) the best borough in which to grow older.

Mr Ian Cassidy provided apologies on behalf of the Chair of the Older Peoples Commission (OPC), Bryan Naylor.  Mr Cassidy provided background to the report, which had managed to achieve significant levels of engagement, working with local organisations, the third sector and residents.  Approximately 500 responses had been received, both through online access, in-depth interviews and qualitative focus groups. 

The report benefitted greatly from the quality of the engagement and reflected an authentic voice.  Satisfaction varied, with those in the 55+ group, expressing relatively greater satisfaction, compared to the over 75+.  This could be attributed to differences in generational outlook, or, the perception that those in the lower age bracket did not consider themselves to be ‘old’.

One of the recommendations was to consider increasing Council Tax by adding a social care precept to help alleviate financial pressure.  Also highlighted were shared concerns with the Disabled Peoples Commission.  In line with the current drive to embed coproduction, the OPC felt that an older people’s council champion should be appointed, together with an older people’s board. 

Rosalind Duhs, OPC commissioner explained that while there was provision within LBHF that could address social isolation and loneliness (SIL), information about this was not well communicated or co-ordinated.  Marilyn Mackie, OPC Commissioner referred the Committee to the Chair’s comments in the forward to the report.  Older people were not “passive recipients of services”; their breadth of knowledge and expertise made them a valued and much underutilised resource.

Councillor Coleman commended the report as well written, with challenging recommendations.  The report would be considered by Cabinet and work would commence on how the recommendations could be implemented, in conjunction with other areas of work such as SIL, health and wellbeing.  Councillor Coleman thanked members of the Commission for their commitment and excellent work in producing the report, and looked forward to working with them, in taking forward recommendations.

The report was widely regarding as exceptional, offering a diverse and unique perspective, without patronising.  Co-optee Victoria Brignell welcomed the report, and commended its view that older people were an asset, and not passive victims having things imposed on them, and that older people had a lot to offer, in common with people with disabilities.  She suggested that if the recommendation for a social care precept was implemented, it should be ring-fenced.

In considering the 40% rate of overall satisfaction, Mr Cassidy confirmed that he could provide the Committee with the raw data, which could offer clarity on the possible underlying factors of 60% indicating dissatisfaction. Ms Mackie elaborated that the recommendations were formulated in response to expressions of dissatisfaction. 

Councillor Caleb-Landy welcomed the report, observing that the recommendations were sensible, well-considered, and aligned closely with those of the DPC.  He asked if it was possible for these to be more readily achievable, if they were to be combined.  Councillor Richardson commended the report for its approach to recording such diverse perspectives and asked about the possible timeframe for implementation.  Councillor Coleman responded that the DPC report  ...  view the full minutes text for item 223.

The Committee is asked to consider its work programme for the remainder of the municipal year.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

Monday, 11^th February 2019

Tuesday, 23^rd March 2019

The Committee noted that the date of the next meeting was Monday, 11 February 2019.