Issue - meetings

The day opportunities strategy has been co-produced over the past eighteen months with a range of stakeholders and achieved project milestones to inform the final draft for Cabinet approval. This supports a mixed model of day opportunities and the continued need to retain availability of traditional building-based day services alongside further development of community-based options.

The draft strategy and two proposals regarding Tricuro day services were submitted for recent public consultation. The consultation feedback and necessary review of the day opportunities budget in line with Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) considerations have led to the recommended options.

The Commissioning Manager – Disabilities presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The day opportunities strategy had been co-produced over the past eighteen months with a range of stakeholders and achieved project milestones to inform the final draft for Cabinet approval. This supported a mixed model of day opportunities and the continued need to retain availability of traditional building-based day services alongside further development of community-based options.

The draft strategy and two proposals regarding Tricuro day services were submitted for recent public consultation. The consultation feedback and necessary review of the day opportunities budget in line with Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) considerations have led to the recommended options.

The Committee discussed the report including:

• In response to a query regarding the closures of the Plus centres during Covid detailed in the report, the Committee was advised of the feedback gained from users which included that the majority were happy with the alternative provision, however it was acknowledged that some were struggling to adjust and that there had been requests for refurbishments and adaptations.  Some of the proposed adjustments were detailed and it was noted that once the strategy had been approved, these could be progressed.
• In response to a query regarding the improvements needed to be made to Parkstone Connect to accommodate the users being relocated from Poole Plus and their feelings regarding the move, the Committee was advised of the work ongoing through engagement and the potential refurbishment work which could be undertaken.
• In response to a concern regarding how the data had been gathered and collated, the Committee was advised that when the proposals were sent out to consultation two options were detailed, following criticism of the limited consultation and the options provided, the Committee was advised that this would be feedback to the consultation team.  ACTION.
• In response to a concern regarding the adaptations detailed and whether, if they were necessary, when would they be undertaken, the Committee was reassured that Poole Plus users could be relocated to Parkstone Connect without any adaptations however there were some enhancements which could be made which would require capital funding, subject to approval. 
• In response to a query regarding the day centre buildings which were no longer being used or required, the Committee was advised that they would be considered either for an alternative use within the Council or they could be sold, and any monies could then be deployed within the Council.
• In response to a concern that the strategy detailed it would improve services for users, which would not be the case for users of the Highcliffe Day Centre before its closure during the pandemic, the Committee was advised that the strategy had taken a long time to develop and it was felt that the mixed model of day opportunity buildings together with enhanced community based provision would be beneficial to the majority of users.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60