Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Corporate & Support Services) & Deputy Chief Executive.

The Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resources Report (PPRR) for the Adult Care and Health Portfolio is presented for consideration by the Committee.   This provides a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programmes and other key projects in the first half of the year, with a particular focus on the second quarter (July to September). It includes forecast performance and financial data (where this is available) for the Portfolio, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

·           Consider the Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports;

·           Review the progress against delivering key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2021/22;

·           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 Contacts: Peter Owston on 0161 474 3274 or email: peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk; and Paul Graham on 0161 474 4674 or email: paul.graham@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director (Corporate & Support Services) & Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Report (PPRR) for the Adult Care and Health Portfolio. The report provided a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects in the first half of the year, with a particular focus on the second quarter (July to September). The report also included a forecast on performance and financial data (where this was available) 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 questions from the Scrutiny Committee. 

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Welcomed the development of the enhanced front door approach, however raised concerns in relation to the number of calls to the Referral and Information Officers that had not been answered or called back and the delay in the implementation of the portals. In response Members were informed that the delay had been caused due to a planned system upgrade by the providers and ultimately this had been out of the council’s control. It was envisaged that the soft launch of the system would take place in January and it was hoped that the introduction of the portals would help manage the increased demand through the front door to ensure that all vulnerable residents in the borough received support when they needed it.  

·         Concerns were raised in relation to the red RAG status of the proportion of older people (65 and over) who had received re-ablement / rehabilitation services after discharge from hospital. In response it was stated that the reduction in re-ablement was likely due to referrals to the REaCH service being paused following the CQC inspection alongside an overall increase in discharges. Members were advised that the referrals were diverted to a separate team managed by the Council and there was no notable difference in service for residents.

·         In response to a question in relation to the Prevention Wellbeing & Independence underspend, Members were informed that budgets were set in accordance with the anticipated level of activity which was monitored throughout the year. In regard to the Prevention Wellbeing & Independence service, there had been a reduction in activity which accounted for the underspend.

·         It was commented that there were a number of Care Homes within the borough who required improvement. In response, Members were advised that the Council was working closely with Care Homes and Home Care providers to address the issues identified within the inspections. It was stated that the CQC had continued to undertake inspections throughout the pandemic which had resulted in the downgrading of a number of ratings and the sector was also experiencing issues nationally around recruitment and retention of staff.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.