Agenda item

To give consideration to the Health and Adult Social Care and Communities budget proposals for 2018-21

The Committee considered the Health, Adult Social Care and Communities budget proposals for 2018-21 specifically outcome 1 (Our local communities are strong and supportive) and outcome 5 (People live and well for longer) of the Council’s Corporate Plan.

Mark Palethorpe, Acting Director of People, presented the areas of the budget and gave an overview of the key proposals pertinent to the responsibilities covered by the Committee.  Mark invited questions on each of the proposals as they were discussed.

1)    Review Environmental Enforcement Service based on outcomes (Summer 17) of Flytipping pilot and procurement of patrol company pilot.

The Committee noted that proposal one, mentioned two pilot projects that improved environmental enforcement and requested clarity about what these pilots were and if the Corporate Scrutiny Committee had looked at them.  Councillor Janet Clowes confirmed one of the pilots had been to do with dog fouling, and acknowledged this was a difficult area to both police and enforce.  Councillor Suzanne Brookfield wished to publically acknowledge thanks to the dog warden in the Crewe area who had been carrying out patrols outside of hours.

2)    Increase Community Grants.

The Committee asked for clarification as to who set the criteria for Community Grants.  Mark advised this was done locally by Cheshire East Council, Councillor Janet Clowes added that details of eligibility to apply could be found on the council’s website.

47) Commissioning all services currently provided by, Care4CE.

48) Operational Pathway Redesign.

Mark advised this item was an opportunity to streamline, and focussed on how to commission services differently.  The Committee asked for more explanation on this item. 

49)Independent Living Fund- Attrition Factor Reductions.

Mark advised this fund began last year but there was a gradual reduction this year and the next.  The fund enabled people to bid for funding to top up their packages of care.  The Committee asked for context on the reduction.

50)Operational and Commissioning Restructure (Revenue Savings).

51) Reducing Agency Spend.

57) Alignment of teams to create a People’s Commissioning Service.

59) Restructure to create “front gate”, across communities.

60) Review all funding and shift to “asset-based” model.

61) Reshape commissioning framework.

Mark advised this item related to how the council commissioned domiciliary care.  Currently there were 97 providers across Cheshire East each with different prices for care and the council was working to standardise this to achieve better outcomes for individuals.

62) New assessment and review framework.

Mark advised this item related to new contracts with providers for the most vulnerable.  The Council was in discussion with the NHS to determine how those living outside the borough could be repatriate back in to avoid paying higher prices. 

63) Implement more flexible and responsive.

Linda Couchman, Interim Director of Operations, advised the Committee that previously, the council had been over commissioning beds.  The emphasis now looked to work differently so that people in respite would have provision.  Home First was always the preferred model.

64) Review of Public Health contracts.

67) Cease provision of services at Lincoln House and Mountview.

Mark advised the Committee that this service would be relocating to ensure people had a more bespoke, better care offer than currently available at Lincoln House and Mountview.

68) Growth in Demand for Adult Social Care.

70) Increase Income.

Mark advised the Committee that currently, social workers charge for the service whereas reablement do not.  Charging for reablement would enable a further £20 million to be received in income.  Councillor Janet Clowes raised a concern that in some instances, people would be expected to contribute more towards the cost of their care through their Personal Independence Payment (PIP).  The emphasis in each individual case would be to ensure the PIP was being spent correctly.

RESOLVED- That:

(a)  Mark and Linda be thanked for his contribution and that the budget be received and noted;

(b)  Helen Davies liaise with Mark Nedderman to clarify what the two pilot projects that improved environmental enforcement were and if Corporate Scrutiny had included this as an item on its Work Programme;

(c)  Helen Davies to liaise with Health and Adult Social Care colleagues for further detail on the Operational Pathway Redesign to feedback to this Committee; and

(d)  Helen Davies to liaise with Health and Adult Social Care colleagues for further context on the reduction of the Independent Living Fund.