Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and order that the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 July 2020 be signed.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 16 July 2020 were approved as a correct record 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.

Personal Interests

Councillor                             Interests

Aron Thornley                      Agenda Item 5 – Impact of Covid-19 on Homelessness and Temporary Accommodation, as a volunteer helper with the Hatters Outreach Providing Essentials (HOPE).

There were no call-in items to consider.

To consider a joint report of the Corporate Directors for Corporate & Support Services and Place Management & Regeneration.

Policy priorities for 2020/21 were set out within the Council Plan, which was adopted at the Budget Council Meeting in February. This incorporates the shared outcomes from the Borough Plan alongside specific priorities of the Cabinet. These priorities, re-shaped to take account of One Stockport and Building Back Better (building on Covid19), are articulated within the Portfolio Agreements, which form the basis for regular in-year reporting. Portfolio and Corporate Performance and Resource Reports (PPRRs and CPRRs) will assess progress against key objectives, priorities, outcomes and budgets, enabling Scrutiny Committees to hold the Cabinet to account and for the Cabinet to identify current and future risks to delivery. 

This report presents the draft 2020/21 Agreements for the Adult Care and Health Portfolio for consideration and comment by the Committee.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to review and comment on the draft Portfolio Agreements.

Officer contact: Peter Owston, Strategy and Performance Manager at peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk (474 3274) or Paul Graham (Specialist Finance) paul.graham@stockport.gov.uk (474 4674)

Representatives of the Corporate Directors for Corporate & Support Services and Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the draft 2020/21 Agreements for the Adult Care and Health Portfolio for consideration by the Scrutiny Committee.

The agreements provides the policy priorities for 2020/21 that were set out within the adopted Council Plan, incorporating the shared outcomes from the Borough Plan alongside specific priorities of the Cabinet. The priorities within the Portfolio Agreements would form the basis for regular in-year reporting through the Portfolio and Corporate Performance and Resource Reports, enabling Scrutiny Committee to hold the Cabinet to account.    

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: -

·         It was noted that there has been an increase in “long Covid” without any awareness of what to do. In response, it was noted that throughout the pandemic there were lessons to be learned including about “long Covid”, as a result a programme of support has been rolled out to support recovery work with those who have had the virus.

·         Members welcomed the collaborative approach across agencies and encouraging behaviour changes for people to take responsibility.

·         Clarification was sought on the progress of joining the Mental Health Services and Adult Social Care services. In response, it was noted that all provisions to adults would be reviewed and it was discovered that some services were dis-jointed in terms of delivery. As a result it was agreed and communicated with partners to bring back the line management and leadership of some of the social workers and associated staff back into the Council to be directly line managed.

·         It was commented that young people were showing signs post-Covid virus of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and there should be some awareness raised and preparations made for this forthcoming spike.

·         Local residents and staff were congratulated for all the work and effort that had gone into coming together to provide advice and support during this pandemic.

·         It was noted that a report produced by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) referenced the impact of Covid-19 on adult social care and its finances in England. In response, it was noted that the long awaited “green paper” was still outstanding and had prevented a long term funding solution plan. It was also stated that an adult social care task force had been established and recently information from Government was that monies committed for infection, protection and control would be extended up to March 2021.

·         Clarification was sought on what the ‘One Stockport’ was and how it would improve the health and wellbeing across the communities. In response, it was noted that the ‘One Stockport’ could be submitted as an agenda item to a future meeting with more details. It was also noted that it encompasses how the Council works, connects and develops communities at a neighbourhood level while looking at the ambition of health and wellbeing of Stockport.

·         It was noted that the delayed transfer of care at Stepping Hill hospital had been reduced to zero and that the proportion of nursing bed capacity in Stockport with an overall CQC rating of good or outstanding had reduced from 80% to 60.9% over the last 6 months. In response, it was noted that the delayed transfer of care had been reduced mainly because of the national charge to discharge patients from hospitals and no longer carrying out health care assessments within a hospital setting. It was also noted that in relation to the nursing bed capacity there was a smaller resource in Stockport with 11 nursing homes in comparison to other authorities with 60 establishments. This meant that following CQC indicators, nursing homes had moved ratings from ‘good’ to ‘requires improvement’.

·         Concern was expressed regarding the deprivation of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To consider a report of the Strategic Housing Lead.

The Covid Crisis which led to the lockdown of much of society at the end of March 2019 posed significant challenges to homelessness services across the Country.  With an initial focus on ensuring the safety of temporary accommodation residents and responding to a call from the Government to offer accommodation to all rough sleepers, the Council and Stockport Homes Group (SHG) worked closely alongside partners from across Greater Manchester (GM) and the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to ensure an effective and co-ordinated approach.

This report provides a summary of the initial impact of the Crisis and the response within the Borough, and outlines some of the longer-term legacy issues anticipated, particularly in relation to people falling into financial difficulties and the potential increased incidence of domestic abuse.  Key areas of work that were underway at the time the Crisis started, such as reviewing the Council’s homelessness strategy are also again taking centre stage as people move back towards a more normalised environment, and these are also referenced within the report.

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

Officer contact: Andy Kippax on 0161 474 4319 or andy.kippax@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a summary of the initial impact of the crisis and the response within the Borough with regard to homelessness, and outlining some of the longer-term legacy issues anticipated, particularly in relation to people falling into financial difficulties and the potential increased incidence of domestic abuse.  

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: -

·         Concern was expressed regarding the homelessness situation in Stockport and homeless people being able to find somewhere to take a shower e.g. local hostel.

·         Clarification was sought regarding the ‘Wellspring’ and whether it would be re-opened to the community. In response, it was noted that the ‘Wellspring’ had not yet reopened but homeless people were being directed to the men’s and women’s hostels that provided toiletries and towels in a safe environment. The hostels was also able to provide advice and guidance to support the homeless.

·         It was suggested that a lot of work was being for homelessness in Stockport through social media and with social landlords to seek help and to approach the Council. Alternative accommodation and engagement with landlords and housing contracts were also being looked to respond to the issues.

·         Members welcomed the news of the mental health provisions returning to the Council to directly manage.

·         It was commented that the housing options had fallen this year in comparison to last year and the expectation of tenants being evicted in August 2020 was a concern. In response it was reported that the reduction were mainly families with Section 21 orders being stopped. People were not accessing services as they would normally. It was also noted that work is ongoing with tenants and families regarding rent arrears, evictions and other difficulties. Other support and preventative work has also been ongoing with information and communication being shared to inform tenants and keep people informed.

·         Members thanked the officer team for the work that was being done to support the local residents and the homeless people during these difficult times and for the ongoing response being provided.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

To set out the progress that has been made on the development of Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Plan following the decision that the GM Local Authorities will move to a statutory public consultation on the GM Clean Air Plan as soon as reasonably practicable in light of COVID-19 restrictions, and the link to taxi and private hire common minimum licensing standards. The report also considers the formal governance mechanisms that will underpin the delivery of a GM Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and the supporting measures.

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

The Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the progress that had been made on the development of Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Plan following the decision that the GM Local Authorities will move to a statutory public consultation on the GM Clean Air Plan as soon as reasonably practicable in light of COVID-19 restrictions, and the link to taxi and private hire common minimum licensing standards. The report also considered the formal governance mechanisms that will underpin the delivery of a GM Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and the supporting measures.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         It was suggested that the reductions in the daily charging rates for vehicles with the exception of taxis was still confusing as the taxi drivers were also experiencing difficulties themselves. In response, it was noted that the charges were reviewed to change behaviours and enforce the changes required to force people into cleaner vehicles.

·         It was commented that the clean air charging zone proposals had the potential to work to clean the air, but was there any way to write into law that there would be an end to the charges when the air was clean by meeting a specific identifiable standard. In response, it was noted that the clean air charge had a Government target and compliance by 2026 and that it was not a deterrent charge and the scheme would have an end date identified in 2026.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance).

The report details the work undertaken by the Scrutiny Review Panel of the Adult Social Care & Health Scrutiny Committee in respect to the Diabetes Prevention Programme and the proposed recommendations.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to consider the information in the report and approve the recommendations.

Officer contact: Charles Yankiah, 0161 474 3206, charles.yankiah@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the work that had been undertaken by the Scrutiny Review Panel of the Adult Social Care & Health Scrutiny Committee in respect to the Diabetes Prevention Programme.

Councillor John Wright provided the following highlights relating to the report: -

·         The Scrutiny Review Panel consisted of Councillors John Wright (Lead), Angie Clark, Chris Gordon and Dena Ryness.

·         The Scrutiny Review Panel looked at:

o   The dangers of developing diabetes and how it can impact on a person’s life.

o   Lifestyle changes required to avoid the risk of developing diabetes.

o   Ways of developing easier access to the programme and what the benefits of undertaking it can be.

o   How to increase publicity of the programme and its benefits for those involved.

·         The Panel invited: -

o   Greater Manchester Health & Social Care Partnership

o   ISC Health & Wellbeing

o   Diabetes UK

o   Diabetes Nutrition

o   Public Health Stockport

·         The Scrutiny Review Panel recommended 5 practical actions relating to:

o   Leaflets – raise awareness and publicly available

o   Area Committees – increase public awareness and engage with local residents

o   Cross Party Council Motion – cross party motion to Council

o   TV Soap Dramas – Diabetes UK to campaign for storylines featuring Diabetes

o   Scrutiny Committee – National Diabetes Prevention Programme update to be included in the PPRR monitoring report

 RESOLVED –That the report be noted and the recommendations be agreed.

To consider a report of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance).

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: Charles Yankiah, 0161 474 3206, charles.yankiah@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the planned agenda items for the Scrutiny Committee’s next meeting and any relevant Forward Plan items.

It was noted that the Joint  Scrutiny Review Panel established with the Community Resource, Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee to look at the “Provision of Community based Health Services” was being arranged and the following members of the Panel were asked to provide their availability to Democratic Services for the Panel meetings to begin:-

·         Councillor John Wright

·         Councillor Dena Ryness

·         Councillor Angie Clark

·         Councillor Dickie Davies; and

·          Councillor Aron Thornley

RESOLVED –That the report be noted.