Agenda item

The Chairman agreed the requests to address the meeting on Agenda Item 5, Service & Resource Planning 2016/17-2019/20 as detailed below. Prior to the speakers Peter Clark, Head of Paid Service and Lorna Baxter, Chief Finance Officer gave a presentation setting the context of the service and resource planning report and papers.

Petition - Anne Thieba (in place of Mara Ranieri Davey), Terrence Higgins Trust, submitted a petition consisting of both hard copies and online signatures with over 1,000 signatures lobbying against Oxfordshire County Council's cuts to HIV Prevention and Support Services. She highlighted that they worked mostly with two groups of people: black and minority ethnic peple and bisexual, transgender, lesbian and gay people. These groups were more likely to face difficulties accessing health care and to delay seeking health.  In response to questions she outlined the support provided by the Trust

Richard Turner, a user of the HIV Prevention and support services spoke about the impact of the proposed cut of funding. He noted that it was the only specialised service outside the NHS in the County. It remained a complex condition and his experience was that the stigma of the condition still remained.

In advance of hearing from Paul Cann, Chief Executive, Age UK Oxfordshire the Committee was shown a video of older people expressing their views on the impact of the proposed cuts on day services such as community clubs, on advice and information services and on support for carers. Paul Cann challenged the Committee to prove that the consultation on the proposals was not a sham with the Council being able to think again.  He outlined a number of actions he would wish to see considered. This included closer working between NHS and the County Council, structural change to bring services together and a transformation plan/fund involving stakeholders. Responding to questions from members Paul Cann stated that he did not think that voluntary help was sufficient to fill the gap that would be created by the proposed savings. It was not possible to replace the expert skills that would be lost. With regard to falls he noted that hip fractures resulting from falls were expensive but that over the last 10 years the figures in Oxfordshire were good due to the falls prevention service.

Mark Thompson, CEO of Connection Floating Support and Lesley Dewhurst, CEO of Oxford Homeless Pathways spoke against the proposed cuts to the Housing Related Support budget, on behalf of homelessness services.  They highlighted the scale and complexity of the issues involved and the support provided on both a short term crisis basis and in the longer term. The impact of the proposed savings would be more rough sleeping and more early deaths. They would create pressure on other services such as the health and social services. They both responded to questions concerning the proportion of funding provided by the County Council and also in response to questions about other funding indicated that funding was received from Oxford City Council but not from the other District Councils. The opportunity for significant additional funding from other sources was small although they kept on trying. Mark Thompson added that although not a statutory service they did cross over into a number of statutory areas such as safeguarding. Asked whether it was possible for the County Council to see detailed accounts Lesley Dewhurst indicated she was happy to do what she could.

Dr Judith Wardle, spoke on those savings proposals which related to services for carers. She stated that the Committee had insufficient information to do what was being asked of them. The cumulative effect could not be known. She highlighted that there was now a greater dependence on the role of informal carers who made a significant contribution and that the proposal to charge carers for services was penny pinching. She also spoke against proposals for savings from respite and the abolition of funding for Carers Voice.

Eddie Duller, Business Manager Healthwatch Oxfordshire spoke against the immediate cut of £100k which would impact on their ability to deliver their statutory obligations. He asked that cuts be phased. In response to questions Mr Duller stated that the organisation was looking at seeking charitable status and at opportunities to do research for other organisations.

Stephen Brown, Chair of Long Wittenham PC spoke against the withdrawal of bus subsidies. He referred to the severe and disproportionate effect the withdrawal of the subsidy would have on rural communities. He highlighted two court cases that related to bus subsidy decisions by other councils. He stressed the Council’s moral duty to look after the more vulnerable members of the community. The free bus passes enable the elderly to remain independent and mobile and this would be threatened by the loss of buses due to the withdrawal of bus subsidies. Asked whether the Parish Council had thought of alternatives such as local volunteers he replied that they had been actively considering local options but that not all communities would be able to provide an alternative.

Councillor Laura Price highlighted the difficult decisions to be taken around adult social care.