Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meetings held on (i) 15 January 2019 and (ii) 26 March 2019.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meetings held on 15 January 2019 and 26 March 2019 were approved as correct records and signed by the Chair.

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

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interests

There were no call-ins to consider.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.               

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to give consideration to possible topics for further consideration during the 2019/2020 municipal year. Suggestions will be considered and subject to a further decision at the next meeting in July 2019 when the Scrutiny Committee will be invited to make a formal recommendation to the Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee as part of the Scrutiny Work Programme.

The normal agenda planning report has been supplemented with an indicative yearly programme of anticipated agenda items.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to consider the report and provide comment.

Officer contact: Jonathan Vali, 0161 474 3201, email: jonathan.vali@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out planned or anticipated agenda items for the next municipal year and relevant entries in the Cabinet Forward Plan, and inviting the Scrutiny Committee to consider any other items or topics it may wish to consider.

The following suggestions were made:-

-       Access to physiotherapy from General Practice and the potentially significant gap between referral and appointment

-       Access to dentistry

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and members be encourage to submit further suggestions through Democratic Services.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The Annual Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports (PPRRs) for the Adult Social Care and Health Portfolios are presented for consideration by the Committee. Following positive feedback across all Scrutiny and Cabinet Members to the streamlined format of the Third Update Reports, this report follows a similar approach.

As an Annual Report, whilst focusing on highlights and exceptions over the last quarter of 2018/19 (January to March), it also rounds up the latest position across all projects, programmes and activities within the Portfolio Agreement, along with the full set of performance measures reported during the year. It also includes out-turn performance and financial data for the Portfolio where this is available.

Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

·         consider the Annual Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports;  

·         review the progress against delivering key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2018/19;

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

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

Officer Contacts: Peter Owston / Alan Lawson / Paul Graham, 0161 474 3274 / 5397 / 4674, peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk / alan.lawson@stockport.gov.uk / paul.graham@stocckport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Adult Care & Health submitted the final two portfolio performance and resources reports for the Adult Social Care and Health portfolios (copies of which had been circulated). The Annual Reports provided highlights and exceptions over the final quarter of 2018/19 and a summary of the position on all projects, programmes and activities within the Portfolio Agreement, and the out-turn performance and financial data for the portfolios.

The Director for Adult Social Care and the Director of Public Health also attended the meeting to respond to questions.

Adult Social Care

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         An update on Stockport Together was requested.

·         In response, it was confirmed that the Health & Wellbeing Board was overseeing this work, and that partners remained committed to integrated working. It was further commented that the Chair of the Board had recently restated the Council's commitment to Stockport Together.

·         A further update was requested in relation to activity in Greater Manchester (GM). In response it was stated that the GM Whitepaper report elsewhere on the agenda provided a response to some of the element of the NHS 10 year plan, although GM aspirations differed slightly from the national model, and further consideration as needed to understand the implications of these commitments. Partners in Stockport were committed to the current alliance model and discussion were ongoing on developing a single commissioning approach.

·         Reference was made to an event in December 2018 and a recent follow-up event about learning disabilities that highlighted a number of areas for local authorities and health partners to improve health outcomes for service users. The discussions at these events mirrored those had at this Scrutiny Committee during last year when discussing the good work being done locally to improve the health of those with learning disabilities.

·         Members welcomed improvements in residential care ratings.

·         Further comment was sought on why performance on the permanent admission of older people into nursing care remained a risk. In response it was stated that the Council’s aspiration was to improve the number of residents remaining at home. It was important to reduce resident’s stay in acute settings as this had a deleterious effect of those aged over 75, and this was one of the key elements of the new models of care It was also suggested that demographic pressures may also be effecting performance. In response to these comments a councillor expressed concern about the potential for rushing patients out of beds to quickly, and another asked whether lower than expected performance was also reflected in the budget overspend. In response it was stated that the aim was to reduce the need for hospital care, rather than reduce the care offered when needed. In relation to budgets and costs it was stated that the pressure was not simply a function of activity levels, but also rising costs.

·         It was queried whether there was a correlation between of suitable housing for those with mobility issues and the number of admissions. In response it was acknowledged that the significant demographic challenge for Stockport was putting pressure on housing supply, and that there were lots of older people who were “property rich but resource poor”. A number of GM initiatives were underway to try to address these challenges, including the retendering of support accommodation and the development of the All Age Living Prospect to ensure that needs of older people were taken account of in new developments.

·         Concern was expressed that in relation to target ASC 5.1 ‘Domestic Abuse re-victimisation rates’ that the factors influencing this target were outside the control of the Council alone. In response this was acknowledged and assurance given that there was a multi-agency approaching taken to this area with focussed work being undertaken.

·         Clarification was sought on whether the recommendations of a previous scrutiny review in relation to the continuation of funding for dementia cafes and drop-ins had been implemented. In response  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The final version of the 25th Annual Public Health Report by the Director for Public Health is presented for consideration by the Scrutiny Committee.

The Cabinet has responded to each of the 24 recommendations, all of which are directed towards the Council, either on its own (nine recommendations) or in partnership with other agencies with whom it shares a Public Health duty (15 recommendations). Cabinet has accepted each of these recommendations.

The report will be reviewed again by the Cabinet when it meets on 18 June 2019, alongside any comments made by the Adult Social Care & Health Scrutiny Committee.

The 25th Annual Public Health Report is available at:

https://assets.ctfassets.net/ii3xdrqc6nfw/2vJxV1FmEp9qZsyTL2cGrg/342c9aff746a9ed3c72c18212201445e/25th_Annual_Public_Health_Report_for_Stockport_-_Presentation_version.pdf

Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

·         Consider the 25th Annual Public Health Report;

·         Review the 24 recommendations of this Report that Cabinet has accepted in its response;

·         Highlight any significant issues or challenges with the proposed response to be fed back to the Cabinet; and

·         Highlight areas of good practice in existing work that can be offered in support of the Cabinet’s response.

Officer contact: Alan Lawson, 0161 474 5397, alan.lawson@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Adult Care & Health submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Scrutiny Committee to consider the draft response of the Cabinet to the recommendations contained in the 25^th Annual Report of the Director for Public Health.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         In relation to transportation measures, it was commented that bus regulation was a key means of ensuring appropriate connectivity across Greater Manchester to ensure people were connected with where they needed to be. Where buses were regulated there was often high levels of patronage.

·         It was important to consider residents from all ages and backgrounds when trying to address loneliness and isolation, not just older people. Often young people who move for work may struggle to put down roots and lack wider social support networks. Young men particularly struggle with mental health and findings support.

·         The Expert Patient programme was a powerful tool to support people with long term conditions to take proper care of their needs, as was empowering and involving pharmacists. In response it was commented that for those with long term conditions would often have contact with a health professional for less than 20 minutes per week so patients were their own main source of care.

·         The fall in mortality rates was largely driven by rates in deprived areas and it seemed likely that ‘austerity’ was one of the causes for this situation. In response it was stated that the Health & Wellbeing Board had requested that this trend form a key focus of the revised Health & Wellbeing Strategy.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Deputy Chief Executive be requested to invite Viaduct Care to a future meeting.

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

Between the 10 January and 15 February 2019 the Council undertook a public consultation on the proposed Active Communities Strategy (ACS) and the Walking and Cycling Plan. The attached documents appendices 1, 4, and 4a present the response to the consultation from both the ACS and Walking & Cycling Plan.

Amendments have been made to the ACS and Walking and Cycling Plan to reflect these comments as identified in the consultation reports and the amended documents are attached in appendices 2, 5, and 6.

Equality Impact Assessments were carried out for both the ACS and Walking and Cycling Plan and are attached in appendices 3 and 7.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:

·         Note the key areas of feedback received during the consultation period on the draft Stockport's Active Communities Strategy, and Cycling and Walking Plan

·         Support that Cabinet adopted the revised Stockport's Active Communities Strategy, and Cycling and Walking Plan

·         Support the recommendation that Cabinet delegate the approval of the revised GM Bee Network Map to the Corporate Director of Place Management and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration.

Officer contact: Dr Donna Sager / Caroline Simpson, 0161-474-3928, donna.sager@stockport.gov.uk / caroline.simpson@stockport.gov.uk

The Director for Public Health submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Scrutiny Committee to consider the outcome of consultation on the Stockport Active Community Strategy and the Walking & Cycling Plan, prior to their submission to Cabinet for adoption.

·         The quality of consultation with the public on walking and cycling routes that could often be intrusive for residents and hampered efforts to encourage usage and support.

·         There was a clear relationship between deprivation and lack of physical activity.

·         Stockport was an easy place to be physically active in, and did not require the use of formal settings such as gyms and sport centres.

·         It was important to ensure appropriate communications were in place so that people knew about opportunities for activity and also about opportunities to access funding to support new community initiatives.

RESOLVED – That the Stockport Active Community Strategy and the Walking & Cycling Plan be welcomed and the Cabinet be recommended to adopt them.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The Scrutiny Committee will be invited to consider the content of the white paper and provide comments that will inform the Council’s response.

Officer contact: Holly Rae, 0161 474 3014, holly.rae@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Public Health submitted a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (copies of which had been circulated) providing details of the ‘GM Model - White Paper on Unified Public Services’ and ‘GM ‘Taking Charge’ - the next five years: our prospectus’ that had recently been developed and endorsed by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the GM Health and Social Care Partnership.

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

The GM White Paper sought to link up work taking place across Greater Manchester to reform public services and to provide a reference point for public service organisations across GM for how to progress joined up place-based public service reform.

The GM Taking Charge paper set out the core characteristics of Greater Manchester’s system that would respond to and demonstrate progress against the NHS long term plan with a specific focus on population health; integrated health and care systems; and contribution to economic development.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·           Given the Council’s experience of Stockport Together and the difficulties with integrating commissioning and delivery, were the aspirations set out in the White Paper over ambitious and was there confidence that the same difficulties would not be encountered.

·         The context the White Paper was in was very complex, with lots of competing interests. There would need to be a strong system of governance and of scrutiny underpinning the implementation of these proposals.

·         The issues identified in this report were of great significance and warranted greater scrutiny and prominence on the agenda.

·         It was clear there were no easy answers to challenges identified in the White Paper, but it was a basis for conversations between GM Mayor and Government Departments about further devolution of resources and responsibilities from Whitehall, albeit with some examples that were ‘over-egged’.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.