ADULT SOCIAL CARE SAVINGS

The Director of Community and Housing gave an overview of the report. He explained that we need to promote independence and resilience. The initial proposals focussed on procurement and many initial savings were made without significant disruption to frontline services.  We are now at the tipping point and future cuts are likely to have a bigger impact. The only way to mitigate the impact is if more people give their time and money to helping vulnerable people.

The Chair allowed the following people to address the Panel;

Lyla Adwan- Kamara, Chief Executive Merton Centre for Independent Living

The Chief Executive of Merton Centre for Independent Living has deep concerns about the impact of welfare reform. We need to consider what a cut of 20% will mean for local residents. We know that 2000 people will see a partial or total loss of benefits from their Disability Living Allowance.

There are problems with the assessment process which has already led to a national suicide. Merton Centre for Independent Living is already hearing about regular evictions through their case work. We need to think about the cumulative impact of the savings.

Lyla Adwan- Kamara  gave an  example of the impact of welfare reform on a client from Merton Centre for Independent Living.  The client was given a work capability assessment and scored zero points and informed they  were not eligible for Employment Support Allowance . As a result their housing benefit was also stopped. The person lodged an appeal against the Employment Support Allowance decision but in the meantime built up rent arrears. The client  was made homeless on the day the Employment Support Allowance  appeal was heard, which was found in their favour.

Khadiru Mahdi, Chief Executive MVSC

The Chief Executive of Merton Voluntary Sector Council said he understand the council’s restraints and that the narrative is more about resilience as the state shrinks as well as the fact that the voluntary and community sector need to step in. However demand is rising and we need to consider the sustainability of cuts such as decommissioning meals on wheels. There is a false economy as people who would benefit from prevention are moving to statutory need. MVSC are trying to work with the council and volunteers to lever support into the council.  Consultations are taking place and it is important that the council listens to the outcomes from residents.

A panel member said that adult social care has a 1% percentage saving target while Children’s schools and families has a 0.75% target. Why these targets are not evenly spilt and are there any plans to reduce them. The Director of Community and Housing reported that the percentages are reviewed on an annual basis, and is a constant dilemma given the level of need across all departments.

A panel expressed concern that we are losing compassion in communities and that the outlook was overly pessimistic and we need to look at all possibilities including income generation.  The Director of Community and Housing said we are looking at new models of care and we need to rediscover neighbourhood, public health are investing in the good neighbourhood scheme.

A panel members pointed out that family members are not always able to provide care and people can have a range of mental health issues or be not be computer literate. Technology also has high running costs which may also create difficulties. We also need to remember that many older people have children who are also senior citizens and could be disabled or have moved out of the borough.

The Director of Community and Housing said we need to make use of new types of remote communication so that those who are housebound can make use of new types of telecare services to communicate. We can use new Apps to create a circle of support for people and interact with them in real time. People can be supported to go online and different arrangements can be made those who are unable to do so.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Housing said overall the council has to make a 40% cut to its budget and Adult Social Care has to contribute to that. We are currently in a transitional period where we need to re-model services to meet the needs of local residents. Officers are working hard to develop new service models.

A panel member expressed grave concern about the impact of the cuts to adult social care on older and disabled people

RESOLVED

The Panel  thanked officers for their work