Agenda and minutes

To note any apologies for absence from Members.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors P Butterill, B Evans, J Rhodes, N Wylie. Councillors B Burkhill, D Edwardes, S Handley and K Parkinson attended as substitutes.

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

In the interest of openness Councillor S Gardiner declared an interest in respect of the fact that he was a former member of the Local Safeguarding Adults Board.

It was noted that that Councillor S Gardiner made this declaration after minute no.41.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 16 November 2021.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 16 November 2021 be approved as a correct record.

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 public speakers.

To receive the 2020/21 Annual Report of the Local Safeguarding Adults Board.

The Board considered the Annual Report of the Local Safeguarding Adults Board for 2020/21.

Tributes were paid to the statutory and non-statutory partners of the Local Safeguarding Adults Board who had worked collaboratively and transparently throughout the period of the pandemic.

The Annual Report provided a comprehensive overview of how strategic partners worked together during 2020/21 to prevent and protect adults at risk of abuse during this time. The report highlighted the purpose, aims and priorities of the Safeguarding Adults Board and noted the challenges and achievements during the early stages of the Covid pandemic.

Comments and questions were received from members in relation to the following

·         Had there been a decrease in the number of volunteers following the end of the furlough scheme;

·         Was financial abuse dealt within the categories within the report

·         How had training progressed for resident carers and those carers who go in to homes who provide additional care

·         Was there separate figures for abuse within care homes

It was noted that a breakdown of figures would be provided and circulated in relation to the figures and areas for abuse within care homes.

RESOLVED:

That the Local Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2020/21 be received and noted.

To receive and approve the Director of Public Health Annual Report 2020/21.

The Board considered the Public Health Annual Report for 2020/21.

The report provided an overview of the challenges faced by the Public Health Team, and the milestones achieved during the pandemic. It also highlighted the inequalities in Cheshire East and the evidence supporting partnership working to create healthier lifestyles.

The Board welcomed the comprehensive report and provided comments and questions in respect of the following:

·         Does the Public Health Team retain an audit for poor quality housing, and, if that data was available how work would be carried out with the housing team to bring forward a programme of works that would improve housing that people live in;

·         How closely work was undertaken with other services such as planning to preventing housing inequality for the future;

·         Concerns in relation to certain areas of the borough with high Index of Multiple Deprivation scores;

·         How to improve outcomes for those people who are not known to the Mental Health team to further reduce levels of suicide;

·         Had the pandemic had an impact on those accessing services for alcohol misuse.

RESOLVED:

That the Director of Public Health Annual Report be noted.

To receive an update on the financial position for 2021/22 and to note or approve virements and supplementary estimates as required.

Consideration was given to the report setting out the financial year review for 2021/22.

Whilst it was a positive that the forecast overspend for Adults Services was relatively small, which had not always been the case, it was noted that some of this was due to not being able to spend in certain areas, including recruiting to vacant posts.

Some concerns were also raised in respect of the Adults Service being reliant on government grants and council tax rises to make up the necessary budget requirement; and it was acknowledged that demand and complexity of needs continues to increase.

A question was raised in respect of use of the additional Government grants relating to both Adults and Children’s Social Care that had been announced in the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement before Christmas.

Helen Charlesworth-May, Executive Director for Adults, Health, and Integration, highlighted to committee that over the last two years, due to the pandemic, the risk profile had changed significantly for Adult Social Care. It would be necessary to continue to support the market, negotiating with providers and using flexibilities in resources, including specific grants where possible between financial years.

With regard to the Social Care grant announced in the Provisional Settlement, Committee were asked to note that there was an inter-relationship between Adults Services and Children’s Services, for example in respect of children transitioning to adulthood with mental health needs,  or in need of other forms of support to help with managing safe and independent lives; and that the Council would look to manage its resources and set budgets to enable delivery of its objectives across the Social Care services.

Further questions and comments were raised and responses given by officers in the meeting in respect of the following:

• The amount remaining in respect of the un-ringfenced Covid grant provided by Government, and whether the grant had covered all costs relating to Covid pressures to date;
• Challenges with regard to recruiting to vacant posts; and the training offered to help recruit and retain staff

RESOLVED (unanimously)

1. That the report of the Finance Sub-Committee (Agenda for Finance Sub-Committee on Wednesday, 1st December, 2021, 2.00 pm | Cheshire East Council),specifically the recommendations of that committee be noted.
2. That the financial update and forecast outturn relevant to the committee’s terms of reference be noted.
3. That it be noted that officers would seek to improve outcomes and the financial outturn across all Committees to mitigate the overall forecast overspend of the council.
4. That appendix 3 of the report and the following sections specific to the Committee be noted:

• Changes to Revenue budget 2021/22

• Policy Proposals Update

• Corporate Grants Register

• Debt Management

• Capital Strategy

• Reserve Strategy

5. That the additional specific grant supplementary revenue estimate over £500,000 and up to £1,000,000 in Appendix 3, Section 3 Corporate Grants Register, Table 2 be approved.

The Committee adjourned for a short break at 11.54am and reconvened at 12.01pm.

Councillor D Edwardes left the meeting and did not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.

To respond to the budget consultation.

The committee received a report on the Medium-Term Financial Strategy for 2022/23 – 2025/26. As part of the consultation process the committee was asked to provide comments and feed back to the Corporate Policy Committee on proposals related to the responsibilities of the committee.

It was noted that the provisional settlement from Government referred to items over a number of years, but the detail of allocations to individual local authorities only related to the 2022/23 financial year. It was noted that whilst the Council must continue to plan for the medium term the settlement creates limited scope for sustainable changes.

Feedback and comments were noted in respect of the following: -

Councillor J Clowes requested that it be noted that it would have been helpful to have the results of the wider budget consultation process, to inform the consideration of the proposals by the committee.

Investment in Adult Social Care

Clarity was sought in respect of the profile of the additional investment in Adult Social Care which was lower in the 2023/24 financial year than for other years in the proposals for 2022-2026.

Care Fee Uplifts

Building in care fee uplifts for social care partners in the private sector was noted.

Proposals that are rolling forward from the MTFS 2021-25

Clarity was sought in respect of what progress had been made in the capital investment proposals previously made, that would create increased provision in supported living accommodation and help to enable the needs of individuals currently with high-cost care packages out-of-Borough to be met within Cheshire East more cost-effectively.

Councillor Gardiner raised a question seeking clarity on the amounts Service budgets being spent on the different forms of Social Care. It was agreed that a written response would be provided outside of the meeting.

Councillor Gardiner raised a further question in respect of whether capital monies could be used to assist in reducing the revenue budget requirement. It was noted that capital resources would not directly be able to help with revenue expenditure such as salaries or other day-to-day costs; they must be used for spending on items that would last longer than one year, for example on buildings or equipment, which may in turn help deliver day-to-day services.

Questions were raised in respect of the increases in the Adults Social Care budget relative to budget changes other services. It was noted that the information referred to was within the Budget Engagement document, and as such did form part of the balanced budget proposals for 2022-2026; and that it was the case that spending on Adults Services was increasing as a proportion of the Council’s net revenue budget.

 RESOLVED (unanimously)

1. That the committee noted the MTFS 2022 to 2026 consultation Document (Appendix 1 of the report).
2. That the following proposals rolling forward from the MTFS 2021-25 relevant to the committee (as part of Appendix 1(Appendix A of the report) be noted

9) Continuing Healthcare Reviews

12) Reduce Base budget assigned to Community Grants

48) Productivity and Efficiency in Adult Social  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

To approve the partnership agreement for the statutory advocacy service, delegate authority for awarding the contract, and note the model for the new service.

The committee received a report which provided an overview of the current and future service model, and considered a request to delegate authority to enter in to a partnership agreement to deliver the service and award the contract.

The committee provided comments and question which included

·         Where the cost of administering the system lies;

·         Would there be any changes to the model following the revised implementation date of the ICS;

·         Whether consideration would be given to commissioning services with other local authorities in the future.

RESOLVED (unanimously)

1.    That the new Statutory Advocacy Service model be noted.

2.    That authority to the Executive Director of Adults, Health and Integration to be delegated to:

Enter into the partnership agreement with Cheshire West and Chester Council and Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group (or any body that in due course may succeed to the functions of the CCG) (subject to that body’s formal agreement) for the delivery of a Statutory Advocacy Service in Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester Council footprint.

Award the contract - Agreed to enter a contracting arrangement with Cheshire West and Chester Council following the procurement of the Statutory Advocacy Service with the successful provider of such services.

Councillor R Vernon left the meeting and did not return.

To note the performance of Adult Social Care for quarter 2 of 2021/22.

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 2 of 2021/22. 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 public’s confidence in respect of residential care and the impact the compulsory vaccine would have on care homes.

Whilst it was noted that there would be no significant improvement in figures in the short term, the service would be looking at innovative ways in relation to the care that was provided.

RESOLVED:-

That the report be noted.

Councillor K Parkinson left the meeting and did not return.

To consider the Work Programme and determine any required amendments.

The Committee considered an updated work programme which included

·         Following the consultation process The All Age Carers Strategy and Recommission would be considered at the March;

·         The Day Opportunities Flexible Purchasing System would be considered at the March Committee;

·         The Live Well For Longer Strategy would be considered at the March Committee;

·         Quarter 3 Scorecard would be considered at the March Committee.

Dates would be confirmed for the following items in due course:

·         Accommodation with Care Recommission;

·         Personalised Services and Strength Based Practices.

Councillor Gardiner requested that prior to the Day Opportunities Flexible Purchasing System item being considered at the March committee, that a retrospective report should be considered, to include the following:

·         how people were able to access the services during the pandemic;

·         what the current picture was;

·         what would be put in place for those who were unable to access services;

·         what would be done in the future in respect of providing services;

·         how would the service provision be made robust enough should there be any reason why people would not be able to access the service in future.

Councillor Gardiner further requested that officers consider putting any items that required a vote, where possible, to be put on earlier on the agenda, to allow all committee members to take part in the debate and vote.

RESOLVED

That the work programme be noted.

To receive the minutes of the following sub-committee of the Adults and Health Committee:

Cheshire East Health and Wellbeing Board – 23 November 2021

A concern was raised in respect of the number of verbal reports that the board had to consider. It was noted that members found it more difficult to interrogate or put questions forward without the information prior to the meeting.

RESOLVED:-

That the minutes of the Cheshire East Health and Wellbeing Board be received and noted.