Independent Living Fund Scotland: Board Meeting
The Arches, Radisson Blu Hotel, Argyle Street, Glasgow Tuesday 04 February 2020 11:00am – 2:15pm
Susan Douglas-Scott CBE - Chair, Board Director
Liz Humphreys - Vice Chair, Board Director
Alan Dickson - Board Director
Betty McAtear - Board Director
Étienne d’Aboville - Board Director
Anne-Marie Monaghan - Board Director
Mark Adderley - Board Director
Peter Scott - Chief Executive Officer
Harvey Tilley - Chief Operating Officer
Jim Maguire - Finance Director
Kim Dams - Inclusion Scotland
Colin Dunlop - DoH Northern Ireland Sponsor Team Head
Elaine Black - Scottish Government Sponsor Team Manager
Paul Hayllor - Head of Digital and Information Services (pre- Board presentation only)
Robert White - Head of Social Work
Aileen McNiven - Executive Business Manager (Secretariat)
Susan Douglas-Scott (Susan) warmly welcomed Colin Dunlop (ILF Scotland Sponsorship Head, Northern Ireland Government), Elaine Black (ILF Scotland Sponsorship Manager, Scotland), Kim Dams (Inclusion Scotland), Paul Hayllor and Robert White (ILF Scotland).
As above.
No additional Declarations of Interest were received out with DoI Register.
Susan opened the meeting by providing an up to date summary of recent work completed, stating it has continued to be a busy year for ILF Scotland with the following noted:
Susan also informed the Board she had submitted a request for a replacement for Fiona O’Donnell. Jamie MacDougall indicated that this may not be approved, however would consider this.
o ACTION 1: Elaine to clarify with Jamie MacDougall, Scottish Government (SG) Deputy Director Social Care Suport Division if the Board Member who resigned can be replaced.
Susan confirmed she will attend the Northern Ireland Co-Production and other events with Harvey to support the organisation in Peter’s absence. Susan and Harvey Tilley (Harvey) are in regular contact either by phone or face to face during this time.
The Board were comforted that all relevant bodies and stakeholders had been informed of Peter’s illness and were content with the new arrangements for Harvey to formally cover for Peter over this period.
Cyber Security Presentation – Paul Hayllor, Head of Digital and Information Services
Paul Hayllor (Paul), Head of Digital and Information Services delivered a short session on the approaches currently taken by ILF Scotland to ensure the safety and security of the data it holds. It covered the three components of People, Processes and Technology and described how the current hosting on Scottish Government infrastructure provided a high degree of confidence and protection for the day to day operation.
The key message was making “cyber” matters real for everyone and making it a whole organisational responsibility, not just the remit of the IT team.
The next step is to embark on an organisational wide resilience programme which will see risk, business continuity, disaster recovery, communications, exercise and test and training all come under one strategic theme and an external partner has been procured to support us through this work.
The Board briefly discussed the presentation and the possibilities of using cloud based applications with a question and answer session. The following key points were noted:
ACTION 2: Susan/Paul/Harvey to discuss the use of smart secure devices/email addresses for Board Directors to support Board work.
The Board congratulated Paul on his presentation and his comprehensive and diligent hard work in the Digital Transformation/Cyber Security space over the last few years. The Board acknowledged the positive external standing Paul has in the Cyber Security environment across the UK.
The ILF Scotland Board approved the Board Minute of 29th October 2019 as an accurate account of the meeting.
From Minute of 29th October 2019:
BD 291019 Action No 2: Complete:
A meeting has been confirmed and diarised with Susan and Elinor Mitchell, Director of Health & Social Care for 2nd April 2020 in St Andrews House, Edinburgh.
BD 291019 Action 2: Complete:
Elaine Black (Elaine) advised that a revised Grant in Aid (GiA) letter is with Health Finance for approval and circulation. Elaine also advised the letter will be with ILF Scotland by the end of the financial year.
BD 291019 - Action 3: Complete:
Susan will raise the possible reduction of the published ILF Scotland budget with the Director of Health & Social Care on 2nd April 2020.
BD 291019 - Action 5: Wheelchair Access in Scottish Government Buildings. Susan acknowledged the receipt of the response from Jamie MacDougall, Deputy Director Social Care Support Division about matters related to ILF Scotland Available Income. The letter also included advice from SG Occupational Health and Safety Division colleagues regarding wheelchair access to SG Buildings.. Following detailed feedback from Anne- Marie Monaghan(Anne-Marie) and Etienne d’Aboville(Etienne) Susan will write formally to Jamie MacDougall, Deputy Director of Health and Social Care. This communication will reflect the views of the Board and include reference to ‘going backwards (in years)’ and a ‘point of refuge for disabled people’.
ACTION 3: Susan to formally write again to Jamie MacDougall, Deputy Director of Health and Social Care regarding wheelchair access in Scottish Government buildings. (SG Occupational Health and Safety Division lead in this area of work.. ILF Sponsor Team are happy to assist in directing any correspondence )
BD 291019 - Action 6: Susan commented that although there has been ministerial commitment to the reduction of Available Income – no time commitment has been received. The Board remain positive this will be forthcoming in a timely manner.
Alan Dickson introduced the Audit Committee Report, commenting on key points from the Audit & Risk Committee held on the 22nd October 2019.
Alan Dickson briefly summarised the recent Audit & Risk Committee Meeting held on 20th January 2020 commenting on key points from the meeting.
Alan commented on the professional and positive approach to ILF Scotland from both external and internal auditors which was welcomed from the Audit & Risk Committee and the Board as a whole.
The Board noted the verbal update of the Audit & Risk Meeting of 20 January 2020.
Harvey explained the rationale relating to the moving/increasing risks outlined in the Risk Register summary.
ACTION 4: The Board requested future Risk Register reports to include a brief narrative with rationale on moving and increasing risks outlined in the Risk Register summary.
The Board noted the Risk Register.
Jim introduced the Management Accounts to December 2019.
Jim advised the Audit & Risk Committee had scrutinised the Management Accounts thoroughly at the recent Audit & Risk Committee with no major concerns to flag up. The Management Accounts for this reporting period are on target.
Discussion ensued with regard the re-opening of the Northern Ireland fund. Colin Dunlop (Colin) assured the Board that appropriate funds would be made available should the proposal to re-open the fund be approved.
The Board noted the Management Accounts to December 2019.
Jim introduced the paper advising again the Audit & Risk Committee had examined in detail the Draft Budget at the recent meeting in January 2020.
The Board discussed the Grant in Aid (GiA) due in 2020/21 with Elaine apprising the Board that the Sponsor Team, Health Finance, ILF Scotland Executive Team are currently working closely on 2020/21 GiA. An indicative GiA of £46.8m is being discussed by the Sponsor Team and ILF Scotland Executive Team and will be agreed in due course.
A detailed explanation was given with regard to the year on year increase. The areas of increase for 2020/21 are salaries and IT, due to the following:
Questions were tabled around efficiency savings and the continuation to ensure savings are identified across the whole organisation. Harvey advised an efficiency plan had recently identified the areas of savings covering the last 9 months.
ACTION 5: Harvey to circulate the efficiency Plan to the Board Directors.
The Board approved the Draft Budget in principal ahead of discussions with the Sponsor Team and Health Finance.
Harvey spoke to the Quarterly Corporate Report highlighting key areas of activity between 1st October and 31st December. The Board were directed to the report and questions were welcomed.
Key activities (outwith Chairs Opening Remarks)
ACTION 6: Executive Team to investigate setting up an Award in Chrissie’s name. Feedback will be submitted to the Board in due course.
Although the absence rates remain low, the Board requested the figures also show ‘work days lost’ in future reports.
ACTION 7: Aileen to provide ‘Sickness & Absence: Work days Lost’ in future reports.
Etienne d’Aboville (Etienne) suggested a change in wording under the ‘Our People – Organisational Demography’ section, with regard to ‘Staff Registered Disabled’. The suggested and agreed wording will be ‘self-identifying– disabled’. The Board agreed this be a more appropriate use of terminology.
ACTION 8: Aileen to update ‘Our People – Organisational Demography’ section to include ‘self-identifying – disabled’.
Discussion developed regarding the accepting/rejection of Transition Fund (TF) applications and the rationale for applications being declined or withdrawn which at 21% appeared high to the Board.
ACTION 9: Harvey to submit a detailed breakdown of the withdrawal/rejections rationale of TF applications to the next Board in April for further understanding.
Debate around statutory responsibilities (transport for young people in education) developed, challenging Section 12A - SW (Scotland) Act 1968 and where responsibility lies in the funding of transport for young people to get to and from their place of study. The Board acknowledged this may be a grey area with no definitive answer.
ACTION 10: Robert White (Robert) will investigate and report findings.
The Board acknowledged the unexpected volume of work by staff to raise awareness of the TF and which is now starting to show positive results.
The Board noted the Quarter 3 Corporate Report.
Harvey spoke to the Business Plan Q3, advising that all areas are on target to be delivered by the end of the Financial Year, with the exception of the Available Income submission and the external newsletter. This was acknowledged as due to external pressures.
The Board noted the Q3 Business Plan.
Harvey outlined the journey to reach this current point in the creation of the Outline Draft Strategy which will be discussed and debated at the Board Development Day on 10th February 2020.
Events were held in Scotland and Northern Ireland last autumn and were attended by recipients, applicants, stakeholders and professionals. All events followed the same format asking the same questions. The draft strategy has been supported by Bruce Tait Associates in the collating of feedback and initial drafting of the strategy following the completion of the co-production events.
The next steps will be to consult with the Board, Management Team and All Staff at various Development Days during February.
The Board are excited and focused on setting a positive, forward thinking, cognisant and realistic Strategy and Business Plan for 2020-2023 which will support disabled people to live independently across Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Board also noted they are looking forward to completing and publishing this work over the next few months.
The Board noted the outline Draft Strategy and Co-Production Report.
The Board noted that no MACC & PQQ’s had been received for the period 1st September 2019-31st December 2019.
Aileen McNiven (Aileen) advised the Lone Working protocols and procedures will again be highlighted on the 6th February (Practice day) to the Assessors to ensure staff health and safety is at the forefront of each review they attend, should they be lone working.
The Board noted with assurance the Health & Safety Report and Annual Audit.
The Board noted the Annual Statutory Declaration of Interest Register (DoI) subject to amendment from Anne Marie Monaghan.
ACTION 11: Elaine and Aileen to check if active Political Party membership/activity should be publicly noted on the DoI Register.
ACTION 12: Aileen to forward Anne-Marie’s DoI form for checking and update DoI Register as appropriate.
Interim Accountable Officer
See Chairs Opening Remarks above.
Susan assured the Board that relevant bodies and stakeholders had been apprised of Peter’s illness. All have been very supportive of the proposal of Harvey Tilley to be appointed as Interim CEO and Accountable Officer during the period of Peter Scott’s illness.
A paper has been submitted for approval to the Remuneration Committee (10th February 2020) to support the delivery of the new strategy titled ‘Re-alignment of Managerial Responsibilities’ which will also support the extra work as a result of Peter being absent.
Elaine advised final approval is awaited from the Permanent Secretary via Health Finance.
The Board approved the proposal of Harvey Tilley to be appointed as Interim CEO and Accountable Officer.
Following the resignation of Fiona O’Donnell and the creation of a vacancy of Chair of the Remuneration Committee, Susan notified the Board of the appointment of Chair of the Remuneration Committee as Mark Adderley. Susan advised the Board of Mark’s relevant skills and experience in Human Resources and Organisational Development and the suitability of Mark to carry out this role competently. Mark was delighted to accept the position.
The Board noted the appointment of Mark Adderley to Chair of the Remuneration Committee.
Next: Audit & Risk Committee: 10:30am, Monday 16th March 2020. Radisson Blu, Glasgow Next: Board Meeting: 11:00am, Tuesday 28th April 2020. Radisson Blu, Glasgow
Next: Remuneration Committee: 11:00am-12:30pm, Monday 14th September 2020. Radisson Blu. Argyle Street, Glasgow.
Next: Board Development Day: 1:00pm-4:00pm, Monday 14th September 2020. Radisson Blu, Argyle Street, Glasgow.
Response: From Robert White, Director of Self-Directed Support Action Point 10
Note for the Board: re Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 S12/12A http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/49/part/II and the ILF Scotland Transition Fund (TF)
The TF has paid for around 25 applications for college transport, work placements and apprenticeships. Local Authorities are, in general, no longer providing funding for such travel, even to their own day-care facilities, regardless of whether PIP mobility is in payment. The Transition Fund started to see a smattering of cases at the start of the college year, last August/September, with Fife Council being an early adopter of the position detailed above; it’s education services were arranging college placement for young
people and then SW were denying them the funds to get to college. In 2 of the early cases the young people lived very rurally and would have had 3 buses and a 2½ hr journey at either end of the day to get to their placement. SMT agreed to fund these cases where the removal of the provision for travel to be funded by Local Authorities was seriously impeding the young person from meeting key outcomes. Where funds are given for this purpose, they are given only for the academic year (39 weeks) ,we also signpost young people who are eligible to the national concessionary travel scheme if they are unaware that they are eligible for this assistance.
In summary : each Local Authority can determine how much or how little of the individual’s own resources they take into account when making a decision on what they will provide and there is no duty to provide transport and there has been no legal challenge of the current practice.
Recommendations for the Board
Robert
NB S13ZA of the above act: this section enables a local authority in essence to do whatever is necessary to support someone without capacity and the emergency Coronavirus legislation extended this controversial section to potentially override the wishes of a Guardian. The Mental Welfare Commission will monitor each time the emergency power is used and it will primarily be used for quickly moving people from hospital.
