Supporting People Information Network

Supporting People Information Network (SPIN)

Media Resource Centre, Llandrindod Wells

24th January 2008

WAG Update – PM Session - Chair – Rufus Noy

Minutes of the Last Meeting

 Sue Finch noted two matters of inaccuracy in the November minutes. Sue Jones from the WLGA does not attend the redistributed working group. The AWCHOP bid does not specifically include resources for SPIN.

Matters Arising

 There was some discussion about who the SPIN minutes were circulated to. It was agreed that the minutes would continue to be circulated widely and would be put on the website  Through Many Eyes – SiP needs to check the status of this document and will get back to SPIN asap.  Future of the SPOP – SiP has written to Lead Officers on what is expected from the SPOP. SPIN to consider this letter and get back to SiP by the end of Feb.  SPRG Grant Conditions and PW’s email. It was agreed that it needs to be recognised within the Grant Conditions that the tariffs don’t always stack up for the higher and complex needs projects.  SPRG Inspections – not moving forward at the moment.  PIs – email from LGDU. Some LAs already piloted this so SPIN are going back to LGDU. It should be noted that this PI is already a WAG requirement. SPIN are thinking about having a day dedicated to PIs – to be discussed further.  Procurement – SiP to email RN Hugh Gardner’s contact details so that he can get intouch.

WLGA Toolkits

The Toolkits were launched in November 07. Carmarthenshire CC were the pilot local authority for the Supporting People toolkit. There is a danger that the toolkits will sit on a shelf and not be used so the WLGA have put in a SHMG bid to the WAG to be able to fund the peer reviews and the sharing of good practice. The WLGA are awaiting a response from the WAG on whether the bid has been successful. There was a lack of interest from SPIN reps in being a peer reviewer so it was agreed that the toolkit would be an agenda item at a future meeting.

Supporting People Strategy

There is a short timescale for the development of the Strategy, the document will be published in Jan/ Feb 09. The National Housing Strategy and the Homelessness Plan are also being revised and all three are working along the same timeline and will be working closely together.

Both an internal and external expert panel have been set up. SPIN have been invited to attend the external panel and will be represented by JE (Denbighshire), RL (Wrexham), AH (Blaenau Gwent) and NS (Newport). The expert panels will be confidential meetings but WAG want SPIN reps to gather views from colleagues before the meetings to input into the process. There will then be a full consultation process in the summer. RL asked for info/ ideas by the 11th Feb.

The Strategy will be accompanied by an Action Plan. The detail around this with regards to Plan Rationalisation will need to be thought through.

WAG Update

 The remodelling proposals are with the Deputy Minister. WAG officials will contact local authorities when a response has been received. The next remodelling submission will be submitted before the new financial year, any new proposals need to be submitted by the 25th Feb. It has acknowledged that this process needs to reviewed and be part of the Strategy.  There has been a delay with the assessments of the Annual Returns.  The SP Budget has not been finalised. An announcement will be made as soon as possible.  The bids for the redistribution feasibility study are being assessed. Hoping to commission the research in the next couple of weeks. The study will be looking at the feasibility of a formula but will not be looking at the tariffs or developing a formula.

AOB  Telecare Control Centres – Lee Davis will contact the local authorities involved directly.  Stock Transfer – SPIN noted that SP is an issue when considering a transfer. SiP suggested that SPIN discuss with AWCHOP and SiP agreed to flag this issue up with the Stock Transfer Team.  SPG and SPRG projects and wrong classification – This needs to be dealt with the remodelling process.  Future SPIN dates - 20th March, 20th May, 29th July, 23rd Sept, 25th Nov 08.