Issue - meetings

To receive any public questions, statements or petitions submitted in accordance with the Constitution. Further information on the requirements for submitting these is available to view at the following link:-

https://democracy.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeID=151&Info=1&bcr=1

The deadline for the submission of public questions is 12 noon, 3 clear working days before the meeting.

The deadline for the submission of a statement is midday the working day before the meeting.

The deadline for the submission of a petition is 10 working days before the meeting.

Cabinet was advised that there had been no petitions submitted but that questions and statements had been received from members of the public in relation to Agenda Item 6 (Climate Progress Report 2022-23), Agenda Item 9 (BCP Council’s Adult Day Opportunities Strategy) and Agenda Item 10 (Our People and Communities: 20mph options appraisal).

Cabinet was advised that there had been no petitions submitted but that questions and statements had been received from members of the public in relation to Agenda Item 6 (Climate Progress Report 2022-23), Agenda Item 9 (BCP Council’s Adult Day Opportunities Strategy) and Agenda Item 10 (Our People and Communities: 20mph options appraisal).

Public Questions received from Gillian Worsfold (read out by Democratic Services)

My daughter goes to Christchurch connect for 6 hours a day, 4 times a week If you close Christchurch connect my daughter would need one to one care for the same hours per week to enable her to access the community as she cannot access the community on her own for safety reasons.

I have looked into this and my findings are:

The minimum wage from April 2024 is £11.44 an hour Based on 6 hours a day and 4 times a week that equates to £274.56

4 x month = £1,098.24

12 months of the year = £13,178.88

So, my 3 questions based on these findings are

1.      can BCP council cover that? Bearing in mind this is minimum wage and a lot of care assistance would be higher?

2.      can BCP council cover these costs x 50 people as that would equate to £658,944.00 per year?

3.      How is this cost effective for the council? Surely in the long run it would cost less to house these vulnerable adults within a building based centre?

Response by the Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing, Councillor David Brown

Thank you for your question.

Further to our previous email correspondence on this consultation on the Day Opportunities Strategy and the Tricuro Day Services Review, we are aware of the concern and anxiety that the proposed changes and consultation has brought about for many of those using the centres and their families and carers.

At the drop-in sessions which took place as part of the consultation process at all of the Centres during January I was able to attend all except one, speaking with several of those attending the centres and their families / carers, and speaking at a couple of those sessions to answer questions and discuss views, as well meeting with staff working at the Centres.

Relating to the potential cost of alternative one to one care if the Christchurch Connect Day Centre was to close, for not only your daughter but all those attending this centre, and the cost effectiveness of this for BCP Council. 

Should a decision be made to close a Day Centre the costs of alternative care and day opportunities provision, or alternative respite for carers is difficult to assess as it would vary from person to person depending on their circumstances. However, the intention is not to close a facility and simply fund one to one care and carer respite as an alternative, the process would be that over a period of up to two years each individual would have their needs assessed and appropriate alternative provision to meet their needs  ...  view the full minutes text for item 114