Members Induction Presentation to Communities Scrutiny Committee - - PDF document

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Members Induction

Members Induction Staffordshire County Council

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

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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

• lder 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

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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

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Registration Service

The Registration Service Act 1953 and Marriage Act 1949 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.

Registration Service 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

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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

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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

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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

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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