Agenda and minutes

To note any apologies for absence from Members.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors S Gardiner and J Weatherill (Councillors S Edgar attended as substitute).

Councillor J Saunders who was due to sub for Councillor S Gardiner submitted apologies.

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.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 26 September 2022.

It was noted that Councillor A Kolker had been incorrectly recorded as absent from the 26 September 2022 meeting.

RESOLVED

That subject to the changes outlined above, the minutes of the meeting held on 26 September 2022 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 members of the public present.

To receive an update on the financial position for 2022/23. To note or approve virements and supplementary estimates as required

The Committee received a report which provided an overview of the Cheshire East Council forecast outturn for the financial year 2022/23.

In respect of questions and comments raised by Members it was reported by officers that:

-       The Council would be required to be more assertive in pursuit of debt which was expected to result in some challenge.

-       A proposal on a review of the Charging Policy would be brought forward in the new calendar year and would involve formal consultation.

-       More details around next years’ budget and allocation would be known in due course.

-       There had been no proposals put forward for redundancies within Adult Social Care within the Pre-Budget Consultation process.

RESOLVED:

That Adults and Health Committee:

1.                 Noted the report of the Finance Sub-Committee (Agenda for Finance Sub-Committee on Wednesday, 9th November, 2022, 2.00 pm | Cheshire East Council), specifically the recommendations of that committee.

2.                 noted the financial update and forecast outturn relevant to their terms of reference.

3.                 Noted that officers would seek to improve the financial outturn across all Committees to mitigate the overall forecast overspend of the Council.

4.                 Noted Appendix 1 and the following sections specific to this Committee:

·         Changes to Revenue budget 2022/23

·         Action Plan 2022/23

·         Corporate Grants Register

·         Debt Management

·         Capital Strategy

·         Reserve Strategy

To consider a report which seeks approval to move forward with recommended actions following the Spotlight Review Event on the ‘Right to Food’.

The committee received a report which explored the issues of food poverty and insecurity in Cheshire East following the Spotlight Review which took place on the 30^th June 2022. The Spotlight Review followed the Notice of Motion submitted to Full Council on the 22 June 2021 that the ‘Right to Food’ be incorporated in to the ‘National Food Strategy’. Following the referral of the Notice of Motion to Adults and Health Committee it was agreed that the Council “should develop its own Right to Food Strategy that meets local anticipated need over the next 4 years which aligns to the Corporate Plan; to include a spotlight review to develop the strategy”. The report outlined the findings from key research along with evidence from the Spotlight Review and the recommended actions to move forward.

The committee welcomed the report and Councillor Critchley was thanked for bringing the motion to Council.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously) That the Adults and Health Committee:-

Acknowledge and approve the Five [5] key strategic recommendations which have been made. [Appendix 1] Right to Food Event – Spotlight Review Report by ICE Creates for Cheshire East Council July 2022.

1.    Establish a working group and co-create a ‘Right to Food’ strategy with service users.

2.    Establish a referral pathway and process. Providing residents with long-term support to reduce the dependence on food banks.

3.    Utilise and upskill a volunteer workforce to advise, signpost and make referrals.

4.    In collaboration with the Food Network, provide a social space for information sharing.

5.    Collaborate with producers and manufacturers to support a food surplus model of food procurement.

To receive the Living Well in Crewe – Report of the Cheshire East Increasing Equalities Commission.

The committee received a report of the Cheshire East Increasing Equalities Commission, a multi-partner group who had considered what would help improve the health outcomes and life chances of the people in Crewe. The report included recommendations for all partner organisations within Cheshire East on approaches which could be considered to improve outcomes for residents of both Crewe and the whole of Cheshire East.

The committee welcomed the report and in respect of questions and comments received from members it was reported by officers that:

-       More work was planned around working with those groups that had not been involved in the community engagement exercise.

-       Active Travel was a challenging area to engage people in but where there was more than one option available it was hoped that people would choose the option that would promote better health.

-       There had been early discussions across Cheshire and Merseyside in respect of pay and conditions to help support employees’ working conditions.

-       Good housing was vital for health and wellbeing but just as important when considering new housing was making sure the infrastructure was in place to support this.

-       Anything which was taking place in Crewe would also benefit the whole of the borough and there would be the chance to extend this into other areas.

RESOLVED: That:-

1.    The contents of the report be noted.

2.    The report be used as a source document in the development of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Board Strategy.

To note the Adults Social Care (ASC) Local Account 2021/22.

The committee received a report in respect of the Cheshire East Council’s Adult Social Care Local Account 2021/22. The report highlighted the positive contribution that Adult Social Care services provide for people in need of social care support.

The committee thanked the team for all their hard work and acknowledged that 2022/23 would be challenging.

RESOLVED:

That the Cheshire East Council’s Adult Social Care Local Account 2021/22 be noted.

The Committee adjourned for a short break at 11.10am and reconvened at 11.15am.

To consider the Adult Social Care Winter plan 2022/23.

The committee received a report that set out the schemes and actions which were being deployed through 2022-23 to address winter pressures.

It was reported that over the last few months there had been significant emerging pressures in the social care market. The committee heard how the adult social care winter plan would form part of the wider system winter plan. A breakdown of the adult social care winter schemes and activities for 2022/23 was provided which would help reduce demand and winter scenario planning and communications would support the work being undertaken. A dashboard would be created to monitor progress.

In respect of members comments and questions it was reported by officers that:

-       All winter monies would be received into the Better Care Fund and additional winter monies would be allocated to various schemes.

-       Following the impact on quality improvement visits due to the pandemic there would be more focus on care homes as part of the winter schemes.

-       Two voluntary organisations had received funding for volunteers to help support discharge from hospital with tasks such as making sure homes were warm and safe.

It was requested that a list of the voluntary organisations be circulated to all members.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously) That:-

1.    The wider system winter plan as noted in Appendix 1 & 2 of the report be noted.

2.    The schemes/activities being deployed as part of the Adult Social Care Winter plan including winter scenario planning and communications be approved.

To consider the Work Programme and determine any required amendments.

A request that consideration be given to the scheduling of the all committee briefings to allow adequate preparation for members was noted.

RESOLVED:-

That the Work Programme be noted.

To consider a request to extend the Framework Agreements for Care at Home services.

The committee received a report which requested an extension to the Framework Agreements for Care at Home services. As a few of the questions related to financial information, details of which were contained within the confidential briefing paper appendix it was proposed and seconded that the meeting move into Part 2 to consider these matters.

The reports relating to the remaining items on the agenda have been withheld from public circulation and deposit pursuant to Section 100(B)(2) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that the matters may be determined with the press and public excluded.

The Committee may decide that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items pursuant to Section 100(A)4 of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 and public interest would not be served in publishing the information.

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item in pursuant to Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and the public interest would not be served in publishing this information.

To note the appendix to the report.

The Committee considered the information and asked questions for clarification.

The Committee agreed that the meeting move back into Part 1 to enable any press and public to return to the meeting. It was agreed that a report monitoring progress would be brought back to committee.

The recommendations of the report, having been moved and seconded, were put to the vote.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously) That the Adults and Health Committee

1.    Agree to extend the Framework agreement for Care at Home services to 4^th September 2024.

2.    Note that in order to comply with Procurement Regulations a VEAT will be published.

3.    Note that the Prime Provider contracts will expire in September 2023 and existing packages of care will be moved onto the Framework contract.

4.    Note that the Commissioners will continue to explore and, where appropriate, pilot alternative models for care delivery particularly in rural and hard to serve areas; and continue to engage providers and stakeholders on the proposed new model to help to inform the new commission.