Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 2 March 2023.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 2 March 2023 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.

The following interest was declared:-

Personal Interest

There were no call-in items to consider.

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

The report provides details relating to the 2022/23 Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreement (PPRA), which was considered by the Committee on 8 September 2022 and approved by Cabinet on 28 September 2022. It also provides a comprehensive summary of progress against portfolio priorities, performance indicators and budgets during 2022/23, but with a specific focus on the fourth quarter (January to March 2023).

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

a)      Consider the Annual Portfolio Performance and Resource Report.

b)      Review the progress against delivering key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2022/23.

c)      Highlight key areas of and responsibility for taking forward corrective action to address any performance or resource issues.

d)      Highlight any significant issues or changes to be fed back to the Cabinet alongside the Corporate Performance and Resource Report.

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

Officer contact: Gaynor Ward on 0161 474 3186 or by email: gaynor.ward@stockport.gov.uk or Paul Graham by email: paul.graham@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Adult Social Care and Interim Director of Public Health submitted a joint report (copies of which had been circulated) providing details relating to the 2022/23 Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreement (PPRA), which was considered by the Committee on 8 September 2022 and approved by Cabinet on 28 September 2022. The report also provided a comprehensive summary of progress against portfolio priorities, performance indicators and budgets during 2022/23, but with a specific focus on the fourth quarter (January to March 2023).

The Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care (Councillor Keith Holloway) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         In relation to flu vaccination targets for 2-3 year olds and under 65 year olds, it was noted that the service were not reaching the targets set and queried whether there were any strategies in place to meet the targets in the future.

·         In response, it was commented that the targets set for the flu uptake numbers were challenging and the actual achieved in Stockport amongst pregnant women were the best nationally and for 2-3 year olds the third best nationally. Whilst they were strong figures, they did not meet the high targets set by the service partly relating to public appetite and uptake which had been experienced at a national level. Moving forwards, the service would continue to work with communities, NHS partners and providers who commissioned these services to understand what steps could be taken to improve vaccine uptake in Stockport.

·         In relation to the £0.298m overspend in mental health, it was queried what the long-term plan was in place to meet the growing need for mental health services.

·         In response, it was stated that mental health was a key priority reflected in the development and approval of the Mental Health & Wellbeing Strategy. Work was also ongoing to develop the in-house support available for residents. It was commented that in terms of mental health support from an adult social care perspective, it was important that the service work with health colleagues in an integrated way to use resources in the best way including ensuring early help and information was available so residents and service users situation didn’t escalate. It was noted that in terms of supported care packages, the service was working with colleagues to develop a specialised and supported housing strategy that looked at the anticipated need, develop flexible opportunities such as technology and incorporate a more independence based offer.

·         In relation to the weight management programme, it was queried whether the data reflected the number of people on the waiting list for the programme.

·         In response, it was clarified that the data was for people who had commenced the programme and for a 12 month period as opposed to individuals on the waiting list. It was acknowledged that there was a long waiting list for the weight management services and whilst the list was decreasing, it was at a slow rate. It was commented that based on an average completion rate, it was estimated that a further 37 people will complete, which would exceed the target set.

·         It was suggested that it would be useful to measure the size of the waiting list in addition to the number of people who had successfully completed the programme.

·         Concerns were raised in relation to the red status and downward trend of the performance indicators relating to the number of high and medium priority DOLs referrals awaiting assessment and the percentage of safeguarding cases where risk had been reduced or removed. It was noted within the commentary on performance that the issue was national issue and that the Council were waiting government action, however queried what steps were being taken to address the issue.

·         In response, Members were advised that the service were using the national ADASS tool to prioritise people on the waiting list. It was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

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

The report provides details relating to the draft 2023/24 Agreement for the Health and Adult Social Care Portfolio for consideration and comment by the Committee.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to review and comment on the draft Portfolio Agreement.

Officer contact: Gaynor Ward on 0161 474 3186 or by email: gaynor.ward@stockport.gov.uk or Paul Graham by email: paul.graham@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Adult Social Care and Interim Director of Public Health submitted a joint report (copies of which had been circulated) providing details relating to the draft 2023/24 Agreement for the Health and Adult Social Care Portfolio for consideration and comment by the Committee.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care (Councillor Keith Holloway) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Welcomed the commitment to explore opportunities to improve the use of Technology Enabled Care and provide improved access to equipment, aids and adaptations to support independent living, and queried the timescale that this would be delivered.

·         In response, it was stated that this equipment was available and if, as part of somebody's Care Act assessment, there was a need that could be met in this way, then staff would look at possibilities around Technology Enabled Care on an individual level. However, the market was developing quickly and focus work was ongoing to strengthen the integrated response, increase the offer and keep up to date with market developments in this area.

·         It was suggested that reporting and data collection be improved to include the number of people on waiting lists for services to understand how well the Council was doing against the targets and compare demand and performance.

·         It was requested that an item in relation to Supported Housing Improvement Programme be programmed into the Scrutiny Committee’s work programme.

·         In relation the percentage of clients with a learning disability living independently, it was queried why the target for 2023/24 was less than the number achieved for 2022/23.

·         In response, it was commented that performance was good in this area and the target would be updated.

·         It was commented that it was disappointing that a number of the 2023/24 target fields had not been completed and noted that the targets were important for understanding Council performance and ensuring effective scrutiny.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Chair of the Stockport Safeguarding Adults Partnership.

The report outlines the activity of the Stockport Safeguarding Adults Partnership over the last year from April 2021 to March 2022.

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

Officer contact: Jonathan Burrows on 07891 949 295 or by email: jonathan.burrows@stockport.gov.uk

The Chair of the Stockport Safeguarding Adults Partnership submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the activity of the Stockport Safeguarding Adults Partnership over the last year from April 2021 to March 2022.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care (Councillor Keith Holloway) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         It was hoped that progress had been made on the issues previously raised and would be reflective in the annual report for 2022/23.

·         It was requested that the 2022/23 annual report include practical, real life examples of change for the people’s whose lives the policies aim to effect.

·         In response, reassurance was offered that one of the key priorities going forward was to ensure that the report incorporated lived experience and working with individuals to be part of the Safeguarding Partnership.

·         In relation to the multi-agency learning review and financial abuse, it was queried if the multi-agency approach included bank representatives.

·         In response, it was stated that there were national policies in place relating to financial abuse for banks, however one of the referrals of financial abuse was raised by a bank and the Safeguarding Partnership worked closely with banks on individuals cases referred. It was commented that Safeguarding Partnership’s role included making sure local links such as with banks and the police were in place to resolve the matter.

·         It was commented that Stockport was a diverse borough and requested that further detail in relation Stockport data and comparisons with other local authorities in Greater Manchester and the North West be included within the 2022/23 annual report.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To seek suggestions for Scrutiny Review topics for inclusion in the 2023/2024 scrutiny work programme.

A representative of the Assistant Director - Legal & Democratic Governance (Monitoring Officer) invited the Scrutiny Committee to choose a Scrutiny Review topic for inclusion in the 2023/24 scrutiny work programme.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was noted that the 2022/23 Scrutiny Review on Ambulance Wait Times had been significantly delayed largely related to the context around ambulance wait times last year and staffing changes and suggested that the Scrutiny Review topic would continue into this municipal year.

·         It was suggested that mental health services be considered as a Scrutiny Review topic.

·         It was commented that mental health services was a broad area to undertake a Scrutiny Review and the Committee would need to define the topic such as how the Council provides mental health services produce strong recommendations.

·         It was noted that previous reports considered by the Committee referenced the challenges in relation to data and whether data was a barrier to Stockport residents getting the support they required.

·         It was suggested that Adult Social Care & Health IT systems and data be considered as a Scrutiny Review topic.

·         Members discussed the Supported Housing Improvement Strategy and DOLs and requested that the items be programmed into the Scrutiny Work Programme for 2023/24 for consideration at a future meeting of the Committee.

·         It was commented that mental health often begins from childhood and queried whether that would fall in the remit of Children & Families Scrutiny Committee.

·         It was noted that Children & Families Scrutiny Committee undertook a Scrutiny Review on adolescent mental health provision a number of years ago and that social emotional mental health was one of the proposed topics for the 2023/24 Scrutiny Work Programme.

·         It was suggested that a Member of Adult Social Care & Health Scrutiny Committee represent the Committee on the Children & Families Scrutiny Review if the social emotional mental health topic was selected to explore the transition element of mental health provision.

RESOLVED – (1) That the 2022/23 Scrutiny Review on Ambulance Wait Times be continued within 2023/24 municipal year.

(2) That the Council Meeting be recommended to include ‘Adult Social Care & Health IT Systems and Data’ within the 2023/24 Scrutiny Work Programme.

(3) That Councillors Gary Lawson, Karl Wardlaw and Geoff Abell be nominated to sit on the proposed scrutiny review panel on Adult Social Care & Health IT Systems and Data.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director – 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: Georgia Latham on 0161 474 3229 or email: georgia.latham@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director - Legal & Democratic Governance (Monitoring Officer) 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 Assistant Director - Legal & Democratic Governance (Monitoring Officer) be recommended to programme the following item into the Scrutiny Committee’s work programme for the 2023/24 Municipal Year:

·         Supported Housing Improvement Plan

·         DOLs Update