Minutes ofPersonal Budget Users Forum (Haringey)

Tuesday 3 October 2017 at 1pm at Winkfield Resource Centre, Winkfield Road, N22

Present: Graham Day – Chair, minute taker

23 Members present

Apologies: 3 members sent their apologies.

1.Welcome: Graham welcomed everyone to the meeting.

2.Minutes and matters arising from Forum meeting June 2017

2.1 (Item 5.1) Graham informed members he attends the Direct Payment Strategy Group which was formed to look at the way the council deals with Direct Payments. The council are keen for more people to take up a Direct Payment. They will be consulting with various groups including the Forum regarding what people would like to see in the way of support for someone who is either considering or has taken a Direct Payment. Graham went on to say the Forum is very well placed to assist with this piece of work.

2.2 (Item5.4) Members stated they still had to be contacted about an increase in the hourly rate for their Direct Payment.

2.3 (Item 5.5) Graham informed members he has yet to produce the next Forum Newsletter but would do so when he has more time. He assured members he would include a variety of telephone numbers which he hoped would be of benefit to members.

2.4 (Item 7) Graham confirmed the consultation on Home Care/Domicillary Care had taken place but it was not very well attended. This was blamed on the lack of publicity for the event..

There were no other matters arising and members agreed the minutes were an accurate record of the meeting.

3. Update on Forum business

3.1 Graham informed members the Forum Committee had met on one occasion since the last meeting to discuss Forum business mainly around the training for Carers. The first training session on first aid had taken place in July. 11 carers completed the training and Graham was happy to report all had passed. Certificates, valid for 3yrs had been distributed to everyone who took the training and the feedback from them was very positive. Further training will be available later this year. Graham went on to say he represents the Forum at various meetings with other voluntary organisations and with council officers as he promotes the benefits of Direct Payments.

4. Fire safety in the home – London Fire Brigade

Graham stated he had invited the London Fire Brigade to the meeting. They had hoped to come but as they were not at the meeting they were probably out on a call. Graham went on to say he had received leaflets from the fire brigade which gave details of what to do to keep safe within your own home. Members attending the meeting had been given a leaflet when they signed in. Graham went through some of the main points on the leaftet.

  • Fit smoke alarms on each level of your property and test them monthly.
  • It is safer not to smoke in the house
  • Candles should be placed on a stable surface in a heat resistance holder.
  • Keep heaters well away from anything which can easily catch fire.
  • Do not overload electrical sockets.
  • Never leave pans on the hob unattended.
  • Make an escape plan and have a second route of escape in case of a fire.
  • In case of a fire if possible get as low to the ground where the air should be clearer.

If you discover a fire alert others in the building, get out and then call 999.

Graham asked members to complete the home assessment form which he will forward to the fire station in Tottenham. Arrangements will then be made for a fire officer to attend at your property to carry out a full fire safety appraisal.

5. Questions to the Personal Budget Support Team

No member of the Direct Payment Team was at the meeting. The team were contacted and it appeared no one was coming to the meeting to answer queries from members. Graham highlighted the drop-in service for Direct Payment holders which is available between 9.30am and 3pm every Wednesday at Winkfield Resource Centre. Graham went on to say it is always best to call Winkfield Reception(020 8489 8200) prior to attending the drop-in.

A member of the Direct Payment Support Team arrived at 2.50pm but the meeting had already finished.

6. Any other business

There was no other business.

7. Date of next meeting

Graham informed members the next meeting would take place at 1pm Tuesday 5 December at Winkfield Resource Centre.

Graham added although this would be the AGM, the formal business and general business of the meeting would be concluded by 2pm and the remainder of the meeting would be a social gathering for members to enjoy some hopefully hot festive food and chat with other Direct Payment holders.

Meeting closed 2.30pm