Minutes:
Mrs Alison Williams to
Councillor Judith Heathcoat
Can the Cabinet
Member for Adult Social Care assure ratepayers, Councillors and those who
use the services that thorough risk assessments have been undertaken which take
into account potential health & safety hazards that will be faced by the
most vulnerable people in our county as a result of reduction in services due
to the most recent cuts to their budgets in this financial year and following
years?
Furthermore, can the
responsible Councillor explain and give proof to elected members residents and
users that reassure us that none of the people of Oxfordshire will be at any
serious risk or harm as a result of this third round of severe cuts in
services.
Answer:
Adult
Social Care prioritises the safety and wellbeing of all service users and
carers, and has overarching statutory responsibility for safeguarding the adult
population of the county. As such, all decisions taken in the directorate
include full consideration of the potential impact they will have, both
positive and negative, to ensure that there will not be any unacceptable risks
or consequences resulting from proposed changes.
In
line with national good practice and Oxfordshire County Council policy, all
proposals to change policy, service delivery or projects are informed by a
Service and Community Impact Assessment (SCIA). This considers the potential
impact of the proposals on individuals and communities, staff, other service
areas, and partner and provider organisations. Assessments consider the full
range of potential risks and impacts, including health and safety, and set out
the action that will be taken to mitigate any negative impacts identified.
The
Service and Community Impact Assessments are used to inform decision-making
within Adult Social Care and for the Council as a whole - Service and Community
Impact Assessments accompany Cabinet papers recommending changes in policy,
projects and service delivery. An overall impact assessment considering the
cumulative impact of changes in the council budget on particular groups and
individuals is also produced each year as part of the papers agreed by Cabinet
and Council.
Supplementary Question
Would
you agree with me that your answer merely describes the process and the
services and that the Community Impact Assessments, on the Council Website, do
not clearly identify any evidence or show low, medium and high risk assessments
addressing health and safety and legal rights of vulnerable people? Do you not agree that they do not set objectives,
which have due regard to the duties placed on the Council by their own Equality
Policy, the Human Rights Act 2010, or the Council’s own Constitution, which can
identify councillors who vote for those savage cuts, if legal proceedings
ensue, because now you are remiss in gathering sufficient evidence to inform
your decisions.
Answer
What the supplementary question shows is that it is believed by many that we are cutting what people get. Oxfordshire County Council is not, we will continue to meet eligibility need. Paragraph 1 states that we have overarching statutory responsibility for safeguarding the adult population. Paragraph 2 outlines national good practice, which we uphold and Paragraph 3 answers the question overall.