The Chairman indicated that the report containing exempt information had been circulated to and considered by Cabinet Members and remained confidential for the reasons set out on the agenda. However he was satisfied that the matter could be discussed and a decision made in public.
Councillor Jenny Hannaby, Shadow Cabinet Member for Adult Services commented that the when considering the Transformation of Adult Social Care the Adult Services Scrutiny Committee had stressed the importance of adequate ICT and that enough funding be included to provide proper support of the new arrangements. A figure of £2m had been included and she was concerned that the latest proposal not to go for a new system was based on the need for savings and was concerned as to whether it would jeopardise the Transformation agenda.
The Cabinet Member for Adult Services in introducing the report stated that It should be an enabler and that was why the money had been set aside. However circumstances changed and that business case was no longer feasible. The alternative proposed in the report was feasible and he was confident that it would deliver what was required.
John Jackson, Director for Social & Community Services referred briefly to the history of the existing system and outlined the options that were set out more fully in the report. He noted that with a new system there was always significant risk and that he saw no evidence of benefits to outweigh that risk. The important point was to achieve a better system than currently and key to that would be the early engagement with staff.
RESOLVED: