Agenda item

Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Adult Services which was presented to provide an update on the outcome of assessments undertaken during 2019, for eligibility to Assisted Transport.

The Head of Adult Services spoke to the report and highlighted the main points contained therein.

Of the 149 assessments undertaken the Chair commented that one person had ceased accessing the Community Options Service and potentially there could be others.  The Head of Adult Services reassured Members that through ongoing communication no other citizens had indicated a wish to cease accessing the Community Options provision.

A Member referred to taxi fares from Trefil and pointed out that mobility vehicles could be withdrawn at any time.  The Head of Adult Services said that taxi fares from Trefil were being looked at.  With regard to mobility vehicles if an individual’s circumstances change then the exceptional circumstances element of the policy would be invoked and the citizens circumstances reviewed.

A Member enquired regarding the operating hours of the vehicles and whether alternative uses could be found when not in operation.  The Service Manager, Provider Services said the vehicle operating hours were 8.00 am to 10.30 am and then started again at 3.00 pm and confirmed that vehicles were parked up in between these hours.  Alternative uses had been looked at but would have cost implications due to increased drivers contracted hours.  The current Community Options budget was not sufficient to cover an increase in drivers contracted hours. 

The Chair commented that the Authority did not have a Corporate Transport Policy, an Executive decision had been made to keep home to school transport and felt that a two tier transport policy was operating with vulnerable people being penalised.

The Head of Adult Services said that the Service had positive feedback regarding the flexible approach to citizens accessing Community Options using own transport and not being reliant on the Local Authority transport runs.  They also confirmed that the relevant equality policies had been considered to ensure people were being treated fairly.

Another Member also raised concerns that the Authority was running a two tier transport policy with regard to home to school transport and commented that the Authority was now in an improved financial position and these transport services should be provided for vulnerable people in the community.

Another Member enquired regarding cost implications for assisted transport.  The Head of Adult Services said the costs of providing assisted transport was approximately £321,000 currently.  She also highlighted the potential inequalities that could happen if the Council decided not to charge for provision for those continuing to use the Local Authority transport when those who had already opted to make own arrangements for transport via taxi’s were paying to attend following their social care review.

A Member pointed out that not many taxi’s could accommodate wheelchair users. 

In response to a Member’s question regarding development of a Corporate Policy for reviewing the leasing costs of vehicles, the Head of Adult Services said that existing vehicle leases within Social Services had recently been renegotiated and savings made.  The Head of Service reminded Members that the report presented to them outlined the new model for the service with anticipated reduction in fleet and staffing from 8 to 4 vehicles.  This would result in further savings being made.

A Member said it was important to sustain this provision so that vulnerable people had access to assisted transport to enable them to attend day centres and felt that a balance needed to be maintained.

A Member enquired if mental health views had been captured in the report and further enquired regarding the low number of wheelchair adapted taxis.  The Head of Adult Services confirmed that the views of people who experienced mental health issues had been captured in the report and agreed there were not enough wheelchair adapted taxis in Blaenau Gwent.

With regard to the 6 objections received to date regarding the outcome of assessments, the Head of Adult Services said that some of the reasons for objection had included that family members may be using the mobility vehicle to travel to work or the cost of alternative transport for example taxis.  She added that for some of these citizens they had been considered under the exceptional circumstances policy and would be eligible to continue to use the assisted transport provision to attend Community Options, however, dependent on the outcome of the proposals being presented they may be charged.  

A third option was proposed and seconded by Members that the status quo be maintained prior to the implementation of the Assisted Transport Policy and that all citizens accessing Community Options who are assessed as requiring transport, are offered Local Authority Community Options Transport, free at the point of contact.

Upon a vote being taken, the following votes were recorded:-

Option 1 (3 votes)

Members note the progress made in assessing the needs of citizens in line with the Assisted Transport Policy including the outcomes of the assessments. Plus, Members recommend that only those citizens who remain eligible for assisted transport continue to receive support free of charge. And that those citizens who are deemed ineligible but have exceptional circumstance continue to receive support but at a charge based on a full cost recovery model. The full cost recovery charges will be based on the configuration of transport required to deliver the future model of Community Options services.

Option 2 (4 votes)

Members note the progress made in assessing the needs of citizens in line with the Assisted Transport Policy including the outcomes of the assessments. Plus, Members recommend that only those citizens who remain eligible for assisted transport continue to receive support free of charge. And that those citizens who are deemed ineligible but have exceptional circumstance continue to receive support but at a charge based on similar costs illustrated earlier in the report reflecting public transport rates. The charges will be based on the future configuration of transport required to deliver the future model of Community Options services.

Option 3 (6 votes)

Community Options revert back to the previous situation (i.e. the status quo prior to the implementation of the Assisted Transport Policy in January 2019) and that all citizens accessing Community Options who are assessed as requiring transport, are offered Local Authority Community Options Transport, free at the point of contact.

The Committee AGREED, subject to the foregoing, that the report be accepted and to recommend Option 3 Community Options revert back to the previous situation (i.e. the status quo prior to the implementation of the Assisted Transport Policy in January 2019) and that all citizens accessing Community Options who are assessed as requiring transport, are offered Local Authority Community Options Transport, free at the point of contact.