Agenda item

(To receive a report from Glen Garrod (Executive Director of Adult Care and Community Wellbeing), which asks the Board to consider and agree the Terms of Reference and governance arrangements and to provide strategic leadership and direction to the Housing, Health and Care Delivery Group.  The Board are also asked to identify a suitable Chair for the group)

Consideration was given to a report by Glen Garrod, Executive Director of Adult Care and Community Wellbeing, which asked the Board to consider and agree the Terms of Reference and governance arrangements and to provide strategic leadership and direction to the Housing, Health and Care Delivery Group.  The Board was also asked to identify a suitable Chair for the group.

It was explained that the previous Government had incorporated Disabled Facilities Grant funding (DFGs) into the Better Care Fund (BCF) in 2016/17 and revised guidance around its use had also been published.  Housing for Independence (HfI) was an evolving agenda and, as the necessary partnerships and confidence developed, the Board recognised the need for a Strategic Housing Development Group.  The key work responsibilities for the group would include:-

·       Oversee and update the countywide Memorandum of Understanding (MoU);

·       Be responsible for the Housing and Health Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) topic;

·       Be responsible for best use of the DFG budget and, potentially, associated funding from Adult Care and Community Wellbeing;

·       Take ownership of the performance reporting template to monitor performance and activity related to DFGs across Lincolnshire and report on performance to relevant stakeholders on a regular basis;

·       Agree priority work streams to address key housing issues impacting on Lincolnshire, such as delayed transfers of care (DToC); and

·       Explore future pooled funding arrangements to secure best value for 2018/19 which should include the DFG element.

The Board agreed that this group was required in order to drive the housing agenda forward but also reiterated that the £5.2m DFG was designed to assist the health sector and adult social care for those living in Lincolnshire. 

Members also believed that the group would benefit from having elected Members included within the membership in addition to key officers as the final decision to approve the spend of £5.2m would be that of Members.  Following discussion, it was agreed to request attendance by the relevant Portfolio Holder or, should they be unable to attend, be replaced by the relevant senior officer.

Frustration within the District Councils was reported in relation to the difference in the report presented to the District Housing Network on the same topic.  It was explained that District Councils wanted to support the Housing, Health and Care Delivery Group but it was thought that the group, themselves, should appoint a Chair rather than the Lincolnshire Health and Wellbeing Board. 

The Executive Director of Children's Services agreed that the report was helpful and that this area was also a key priority for Children's Services.  It was requested, however, that an additional key responsibility be added entitled "Leaving Care Children – offers for care leavers" to enable a joint agreement to be made for a housing offer for these young people.  Additionally, it was noted that a robust offer for young people with learning disabilities to transition from children's services into adult social care and then on to independence was not included.

Assurance was given that the DFG funding would be monitored by this group and regularly reported back to the Board.

RESOLVED

1.    That the Terms of Reference and Governance Arrangements for the Housing, Health and Care Delivery Group, as set out within the report, be agreed;

2.    That strategic leadership and direction to the Housing, Health and Care Delivery Group by the Lincolnshire Health and Wellbeing Board, be agreed;

3.    That the relevant Portfolio Holder be included within the membership of the Housing, Health and Care Delivery Group; and

4.    That Councillor Mrs W Bowkett be identified by the Board as a suitable Chair for the Housing, Health and Care Delivery Group.