Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Head of Housing Services on the outcome of the Cambridgeshire Supporting People Home Improvement Agency Review.

Approved the proposed response to the review of the Home Improvement Agency services as outlined in the Appendix to the and requested the Chief Executive to convey the Cabinet’s views on the continuing delays in providing assessment for home adaptations and explore further the opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of HIA’s through shared services or other options and report thereon to a future meeting.

By way of a report by the Head of Financial Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were acquainted with the findings of a review of Home Improvement Agency (HIAs) services undertaken on behalf of Cambridgeshire’s Supporting People’s Commissioning Body as part of a wider strategic review of services.

By way of introduction, Members were reminded that HIAs in Cambridgeshire were funded by Supporting People grant the Primary Care Trust (PCT), Cambridgeshire County Council and the District Councils.

In considering the key findings outlined in the paper and the suggested responses, Members expressed their concern at the continuing and unacceptable time taken to complete occupational therapy assessments for vulnerable older and disabled people in the District.

Executive Councillors also concluded that an approach which sought to maintain high levels of customer care, improve efficiency and lower costs through shared or combined services rather than market testing of HIA services should be examined.

RESOVLED

(a)  that the proposed response to the review of the Home Improvement Agency services outlined in the Appendix to the report now submitted be approved.; and

(b)  that the Chief Executive be requested to convey the Cabinet’s views on the continuing delays in providing assessment for home adaptations and explore further the opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of HIA’s through shared services or other options and report thereon to a future meeting.