Members Induction Presentation to Communities Scrutiny Committee - PDF document

Click to edit Master title style Members Induction Staffordshire County Council Members Induction Presentation to Communities Scrutiny Committee Friday 18 September 2009 Trish Caldwell, County Manager Safer Communities, 01785 277871, trish.caldwell@staffordshire.gov.uk Dionne Lowndes, Head of Registration, 01785 854236, dionne.lowndes@staffordshire.gov.uk Nicola Sawyer, County Manager Access & Information, 01785 854546, nicola.sawyer@staffordshire.gov.uk Introduction � Range of services that impact on communities � Most vulnerable in communities not just older people � Benefits and impact of the clear linkages and partnership working � Interest for this committee – some of the services- Watchdogs, CABx’s, Trading Standards & Registration � Lead responsibilities for user/carer engagement & involvement and development of single points of contact and access to services. Better services, improved well-being and stronger & safer communities Links between social care & community services- � prevention and early intervention � Watchdog Scheme � Citizen’s Advice Bureau � Trading Standards � Registration 1

Watchdogs � Community watchdogs – 615 members (73 advocates), Qtl’y forums (8 districts), 1581 blankets tested, 313 retailers visited out of 367 re Healthy Start project, No cold calling zones set up and ongoing. Working to level 5 of community participation table. � Development of being self governed � Allocation of £40,000 (£5,000 per district) – submitted bids for local project work that impacts on the community � Further pledges from Trading Standards – tackling doorstep crime, sales of alcohol to under18’s and promotion & expansion of Trader Register � April 08 to July 09 – 134 talks and events & over 5000 information packs distributed to Staffordshire residents. (Summer events x11) � Acted as Steering group for Fair Trade status Citizens Advice Bureaux – context within SC&H � Benefits system is complex- people don’t always take up all entitled to- 31per cent of OP benefits not taken up � Failure to be financially stable can cause poverty and reduce health and well being � Advantages to taxpayer and older people from holistic approach to service delivery re financial support � Voluntary, community and statutory sectors working together to improve access, maintain independence and improve wellbeing � Research has shown that each £1 spent on balance classes yielded health and social care savings of £1.40 plus benefits of £0.90 to older people- JSNA links � Specific development re CABx’s increasing people seen. Citizens Advice Bureaux- Money Advice � Currently fund £239k towards running costs of 11 CABx’s � Two elements of funding – Core funding £65k & Debt services £174k � Contract monitored by SC&H- now reporting more outcomes and quarterly statistics � Some clients do not give information about themselves for data collection – but are the minority 2

Latest quarter data April to June 09 � 1100 people- even split to male/female � 31 – 45 years old highest age range � Weekly household income – between under £100 pw to £300pw � Mainly white � 34.9% unemployed � 27.88% fulltime work � 33% council /social tenant � 27.35% mortgagees � 683 had dependent children � 127 had a long term illness and 183 considered themselves disabled Debt advice � Separated into; priority debts, non priority debts, secured debts: � Priority – average debt £3.551.76 (for upkeep of home) � Non priority - average £2669.21( credit cards consumer credit) � Secured – average 514,818.85 (mortgage, secured loans) � Self help packs distributed Future direction � Increased number of people seeking advice now. 20% more unemployed presenting � Picked up delays to be seen � Report to Cabinet to focus on crisis � Holistic approach being taken to deal with the demands � Future management style to look at National debt line contact – similar to Consumer Direct 3

Click to edit Master title style Registration Service � The Registration Service Act 1953 and Marriage Act 1949 Registration Service � The Act requires a Proper Officer and Superintendent Registrar be appointed by the Local Authority � The Local Authority delivers service within the framework of General Register Office. Key Facts - Staffordshire 08/09 � 10,000 Births Registered � 7,000 Deaths Registered � 3,000 Marriages Ceremonies � 6,000 Notices of Marriage taken � 18,000 Copy Certificates issued � 400 People attended Citizenship Ceremonies Modernisation � One District � Contact Centre � Management Restructure � Review of Accommodation � Review of fees for services 4

Improved access Delivering Service from: � Local Hospitals � Local Health Centres � District Councils, One Stop Shops � Evening Opening � Weekend On Call Staff � Consultation with Service Users Partnership working � Social Care and Health � Health Net project � Department of Work & Pensions � Teen Pregnancy Partnership � Parent Direct � Family Info Services � Local Muslim Communities � Local Businesses Performance � Reviewing Service Delivery � Income Generation � 75% of Service Costs generated � Developing New Services � Improved Access 5

Trading Standards role and responsibilities � Trading Standards � Weights and Measures Authority � Claims Management Unit Statutory duty to enforce legislation in these areas � Food Standards and labelling � Metrology (weights and measures) � Product Safety � Consumer Credit � Intellectual Property Crime � Animal Feeding Stuffs � Misdescriptions and Unfair Commercial Practices How we discharge our duties � Information Advice � Inspection � � Enforcement 6

How we operate � 3 teams: � Consumer Support � Business Support � Community Safety � Working in partnership: � Community Services -Healthier Communities and Access and Information � Regulatory - OFT, BIS, LBRO � External - CDRP’s, District Councils, Police and Fire Services Performance � Financial performance � Budget � External funding � Operational performance � Consumer/ Business satisfaction levels � NI 182 / NI 183 � Business compliance Conclusions � Partnership working in local settings enable us to: � Continue to engage with citizens to enable stronger communities with strong social networks and active participation for taking responsibility for their own well-being � Influence and shape services by ensuring that they are informed and influenced by communities so that they meet needs effectively and efficiently � Enable a vibrant democracy – through active participation and strong relationships between members and community projects � Integrate community empowerment with community cohesion, equalities and human rights 7

Conclusions cot’d � Concentration on the wider agenda for more vulnerable in society seen as social care responsibility- promotion of feeling safe with independence / choice. � People are concerned about the dependency implications of people living longer � Linkages between agencies more sophisticated and dealing with the prevention agenda � Accolades & recognition for innovative partnership work – SWAPP, watchdog / safeguarding & financial abuse 8