Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 17 December 2019.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 17 December 2019 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and officers to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any which interests which they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interests

To consider whether it is in the public interest to exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of the following item:

RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication, the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of any of the exempt information in Agenda Item 8 – ‘Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Plan – Tackling Nitrogen Dioxide Exceedances at the Roadside – Update’.

There were no call-in items to consider.

To consider a joint report of the Director of Adult Social Care and the Director of Public Health.

The Third Quarter Update Portfolio Performance and Resource Report (PPRR) for the Adult Care and Health Portfolio is presented for consideration by the Committee. This focuses on highlights and exceptions in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects since the Mid-Year Report. It includes the latest forecast performance and financial data for the Portfolio, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

·         Consider the Third Quarter Update Portfolio Performance and Resource Report;  

·         Review the progress against delivering key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2019/20;

·         Highlight key areas of and responsibility for taking forward corrective action to address any performance or resource issues;

·         Highlight any significant issues or changes to be fed back to the Cabinet alongside the Corporate Performance and Resource Report;

·         Identify how areas of strong performance and good practice can be shared in other services.

Officer contact: Peter Owston on 0161 474 3274 or email: peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk or Paul Graham on 474 4674 or email:

paul.graham@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Adult Social Care and the Director of Public Health submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) presenting the Third Quarter Update Portfolio Performance and Resource Report (PPRR) for the Adult Care and Health Portfolio for consideration by the Committee. The report focussed on highlights and exceptions in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects since the Mid-Year Report and included the latest forecast performance and financial data for the Portfolio, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Care and Health (Councillor Jude Wells) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issuers raised:-

• Performance on flu vaccinations was encouraging. Following a delay to vaccines for some cohorts, Officers were working closely with GP Practices to increase take-up rates and Stockport was expected to record some of the highest vaccination rates in the country.
• The Wellbeing and Independence Network continued to be an essential component of the ‘Team around the Place’ approach. The future delivery of preventative services was presently under review, with consideration being given to the alignment of the preventative offer with the new Adult Social Care operating model. The Scrutiny Committee requested a presentation to a future meeting on the Wellbeing and Independence Network.
• The Reablement Plus, GrandCare system was raised. This was new touch-screen technology for residents in care homes which would connect them to key services as well as family and friends, helping to support people coming out of hospital. This was currently being piloted in flats at Edinburgh Close. Members asked to see a demonstration of the new system.
• Support was also given to the launch of telecare services which would be available to all residents to help them live independently at home for longer, with a launch in January.
• The issue of breast screening was raised, particularly the take up in areas of deprivation. It was important that the location of the mobile units was considered and whether, for example, large supermarkets could be approached to see if they could be located outside their stores. Stockport commissioned the service from Cheshire and Merseyside, but had involved colleagues in Greater Manchester in order to seek every opportunity to improve the service.
• The number of delayed transfers of care attributable to Adult Social Care had decreased in Stockport and Greater Manchester compared to the rise nationally.
• The Council was waiting for revised Government guidance on liberty protection safeguards and there was an expectation that new procedures would be introduced in the autumn.
• Stockport performed strongly with regard to personal budgets for people with autism and the Director of Adult Social Care agreed to provide the Scrutiny Committee with more information on the initiative.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That a presentation be made to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee on the Wellbeing and Independence Network.

(30 That arrangements be made for a demonstration of the Reablement Plus, Grand Care System to Members of the Scrutiny Committee.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The report is designed to be considered in the context of budget setting proposals and describes the recommended fee increase for 2020/21. This will allow for implementation at the start of the financial year and will provide financial certainty to the market, supporting care providers with their cash flow, as well as supporting the process for assessment of client contributions. It will also prevent internal inefficiency caused by the need to make back payments as well as conforming to good commissioning, procurement practices and will meet both policy and legislative requirements.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact:  Vincent Fraga on 0161-474-4401 or email: vincent.fraga@stockport.gov.uk

Representatives of the Director for Adult Social Care and the Borough Treasurer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the 2020/21 fee setting recommendations for the most significant areas of externally commissioned services within Adult Social Care. The following services were included within the scope of this report:-

• Residential and nursing care homes
• Homecare provision offered within an individual’s home
• Day care services
• Learning disability services
• Other non-residential care management services.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Care and Health (Councillor Jude Wells) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

• The ongoing dialogue with care homes and domiciliary providers was of particular importance.
• It was important that standards of care were driven up, but also that the standards at work for care workers, as well as their wellbeing, were also improved.
• There were three tiers in the system and providers were allocated to tiers based on their score across a number of domains which had different weightings – namely quality, price and engagement with the health and social care economy. The system of tiers helped improve Officers’ intelligence and helped to create leverage in the market. The providers who offered affordable as well as quality care were called upon first.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and updates be provided to the Scrutiny Committee through the Portfolio Performance and Resources reports.

To consider a report of the Director of Public Health.

The Suicide Prevention Action Plan brings together work by the Council and its partners and covers 1) local leadership and governance for suicide prevention, 2) evidence-base for action, 3) mental health and wellness promotion and resilience building, 4) addressing areas of high frequency, and reduce access to means, 5) suicide prevention awareness, 6) Training of professionals as well as community members, 7) suicide intervention & and post-intervention services, 8) addressing self-harm, 9) focussed work in clinical and support services (mental health, primary care, voluntary and community sector), and 10) support for those bereaved by suicide.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Judith Strobl on 0161 474 2535 or email: judith.strobl@stockport.gov.uk

The Director for Public Health submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) presenting a refreshed Suicide Prevention Strategy 2019-22 for Stockport, and an annual Action Plan for the year 2020, which took account of current guidance and national and Greater Manchester strategies, as well as local intelligence. The proposed three year strategy complemented, and was aligned to, the Greater Manchester Suicide Prevention Strategy 2017-22.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Care and Health (Councillor Jude Wells) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

• Members complimented the quality of the work in the strategy and the multi-agency approach adopted.
• In terms of factors associated with observed suicides, the strategy commented that several factors may have been present in any individual person. A number of the factors were inter-related. The factors present did not necessarily mean that a death was caused by these factors.
• Concern was expressed that people who presented themselves at Accident and Emergency Departments after attempted suicides may be treated less favourably by medical professionals, particularly more junior staff.
• Concern was expressed at the number of suicides of children between the age of 10-19.
• It was pointed out that those who were self-employed did not have access to courses on mental health which were offered by a number of large organisations.
• Concern was expressed that the Stockport three year rate for suicide deaths between 2012-2015 was higher than the north west three year rate over the same period.
• Public education on the issue of suicide needed to be improved so that a debate could be had which informed and educated people rather than information people may gleam from the mainstream media.
•  The work of the Suicide Bereavement Service and the SOBS groups (Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide) was much appreciated.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Suicide Prevention Strategy and Action Plan be supported prior to its presentation to the Health and Wellbeing Board on 29 January 2020.

(2) That a progress report be submitted to the Scrutiny Committee in twelve/eighteen months’ time updating Members on progress with it,

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration

The report sets out the progress that has been made following the Government’s response to Greater Manchester’s Outline Business Case to tackle Nitrogen Dioxide Exceedances at the Roadside and the implications for the 10 Greater Manchester local authorities in relation to the schedule of work and statutory consultation on the Clean Air Plan.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Mark Glynn on 0161-474-3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk or Sue Stevenson on 0161-474-4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the progress that had been made following the Government’s response to Greater Manchester’s Outline Business Case to tackle Nitrogen Dioxide Exceedances at the Roadside and the implications for the ten Greater Manchester local authorities in relation to the schedule of work and their statutory consultation on the Clean Air Plan.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

• The plan could be more ambitious if the Council had greater control over the emitters, for example the M60 and Manchester Airport.
• Members expressed concern about the different approach expected of Highways England with regard to clean air compared to local authorities
• Government funding existed for the production of clean air plans, but discussion remained to be had about the quantum of funding.
• The Greater Manchester Combined Authority was awaiting guidance from the Government as to when the plan would go out for consultation on its detail.
• Clean air grants were currently given to bus operators and there already existed buses with reduced carbon emissions.
• A Member enquired whether there was any data on where people lived who presented themselves to Accident and Emergency Departments with respiratory problems. It was pointed out that people may, of course, work in a different place to where they lived so analysing this data may be problematic.
• An increase in the number of visits to hospitals as a result of respiratory problems could lead to more car journeys.
• Members expressed concern about the limited penalties available for vehicle idling and enquired if there was anything more the Council could do to deter motorists from doing so. The Cabinet Member for Adult Care and Health advised that she had been a co-signatory to a letter from the Greater Manchester Local Authorities to the Secretary of State for Transport asking him to bring forward the launch of the public consultation on this issue.
• The number of electric charging points being included in development applications was not enough to cater for the anticipated move to electric vehicles in the future. The technology for the disposal of batteries needed to be developed as well.
• Work was taking place in schools to advocate greener modes of transport, for example training on road safety, cycle training and pedestrian training.
• The charges incurred by small businesses could be prohibitive for them and was an issue that needed exploring.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The report sets out planned agenda items for the Scrutiny Committee’s next meeting and Forward Plan items that fall within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to consider the information in the report and put forward any agenda items for future meetings of the Committee.

Officer contact: Simon Hughes, 0161 474 3218, simon.hughes@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the planned agenda items for the Scrutiny Committee’s next meeting and any Forward Plan items.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the event in connection with the Scrutiny Review on Diabetes be held at 2.00pm on 10 February 2020.