Agenda and minutes

To note any apologies for absence from Members.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors A Critchley (substituted for by Councillor M Houston) and A Kolker.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

In accordance with paragraph 2.24 of the Council’s Committee Procedure Rules and Appendix on Public Speaking, set out in the Constitution, a total period of 15 minutes is allocated for members of the public to put questions to the committee on any matter relating to this agenda. Each member of the public will be allowed up to two minutes each to speak, and the Chair will have discretion to vary this where they consider it appropriate.

Members of the public wishing to speak are required to provide notice of this at least three clear working days’ in advance of the meeting.

There were no members of the public present who wished to speak.

To oversee the development and approval of the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

Consideration was given to a report that outlined the capital and revenue budgets, schemes and reserves related to the council’s services that fell within the responsibility of the Adults and Health Committee.

RESOLVED –

1          That the decision of the Finance Sub-Committee to allocate the approved capital and revenue budgets, related policy proposals and earmarked reserves to the Adults and Health Committee, as set out in Appendix A be noted.

2          That the Medium Term Financial Strategy timelines, as set out in paragraphs 5.9 to 5.12 of the report, be noted.

3          That the supplementary estimates, as set out in Appendix B to the report, be noted.

To approve the updated Market Position Statement, as required by the Care Act.

The committee considered the draft Cheshire East Market Position Statement 2021-25, which summarised the supply, demand and commissioning intentions with regard to the care market in Cheshire East, as well as the proposed arrangements to consult on it with interested and partnering organisations within the borough.

It was noted that, following the period of consultation, the final Cheshire East Market Position Statement 2021-25 would be presented for approval to both the Adults and Health Committee and Children and Families Committee.

Members agreed it was a comprehensive report, summarising some good practices and new ways of working, however, also raised concern about the timeliness of the consultation period and whether engagement levels would be lower during the school summer holidays. The committee requested that the consultation period be extended to accommodate for this and to ensure engagement and response levels would be as high as possible.

RESOLVED –

1          That the draft Cheshire East Market Position Statement 2021-25, set out at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved for the basis of consultation, subject to the planned period of consultation being extended.

2          That it be noted that, following consultation, the final version of the Cheshire East Market Position Statement 2021-25 would be presented for approval to the Adults and Health Committee, and Children and Families Committee.

To receive an update on the latest position for Integration in relation to the White Paper.

The committee received an update on the development of the Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System, which was required to be in place by April 2022.  Members were informed that the Government White Paper  was due for its second reading in Parliament this week, and that regional representatives had placed a real emphasis on making sure that the views and needs of Cheshire East are represented and reflected in it.

The committee welcomed the shared vision of the Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System and plan to reduce inequalities and improve health and wellbeing outcomes for Cheshire East residents. Some concerns were raised that there was a lack of sufficient consultation on the development of this new health structure, as well as in respect of the increased size of the organisational footprint and the implications of shared budgetary responsibility.

The committee requested further clarification on what a recognised Local Community was.

RESOLVED

1          That the update be noted, but that the committee’s concerns in respect of the development of the Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System and what it would look like in practice, be noted.

2          That a map of the Care Communities be circulated to Members.

To receive the annual Flu Report which takes a backward look on the flu season 2020/21.

Consideration was given to the annual Flu Report which summarised the cases and impact of seasonal flu over winter 2020/21. The report also highlighted the proposed and planned work to be undertaken by the council and partners during the upcoming flu season to ensure high vaccination uptake and preparedness for what was expected to be a challenging winter flu period.

Members raised concerns that the uptake of flu vaccinations was low amongst many population groups including those aged under 65, pregnant women and the BAME community. Officers agreed that they would review local communications and messaging in respect of these concerns, specifically around winter wellbeing advice and the vaccination programme.

It had been proven during the pandemic that people in the obese weight category were more likely to suffer serious health implications than those in other weight categories. It was agreed that there was a need to build on and adapt the council’s winter wellbeing messaging to increase the uptake for vaccinations in respect of those in the obese category.

RESOLVED –

1          That the report be noted.

2          That the Director for Public Health conduct a review of the council’s winter wellbeing advice with a view to increasing the uptake in the vaccination programme in winter 2021/22, particularly those in the obese weight category or those that have other health conditions.

To consider the key performance indicators/measures from Quarter 4, 2020/21.

Consideration was given to a report that outlined the performance data and measures related to services that fell within the responsibility of the Adults and Health Committee, from Quarter 4 of 2020/21. The committee asked questions and put comments in relation to a number of the performance measures and sought greater clarity on how Covid-19 had affected the data.

RESOLVED –

That the report be noted.

To appoint members of the sub-committees, working groups, panels, boards and joint committees.

The committee considered its appointments to  the Cheshire East Health and Wellbeing Board and the Joint Extra Care Housing Management Board, with one member to be nominated by the committee and chair, respectively, to each.

RESOLVED –

1          That Councillor J Rhodes be appointed to the Cheshire East Health and Wellbeing Board as one its three voting councillors.

2          That Councillor A Moran be appointed to the Joint Extra Care Housing Management Board as one of the council’s three members represented on the Board.

To consider the Work Programme and determine any required amendments.

The committee considered its work programme and noted that there were a considerable number of reports scheduled to be considered at its next meeting on 27 September 2021. Officers were asked to review the work programme with a view to holding an additional meeting to enable the committee to give appropriate consideration to all scheduled reports.

RESOLVED –

1          That the work programme be approved, subject to a review to be undertaken by lead officers following the committee’s request for an additional meeting to be held.

2          That consideration be given to the establishment of a joint working group with the Children and Families Committee following the review of the ‘Adult Social Care Improvement Plan – Learning from Covid 19’ report which was to be considered at the September meeting.