Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 20January 2022.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 20 January 2022 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 an update of the Director of Public Health.

The report provides an update on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic for Stockport.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to discuss and note the update.

Officer contact: Jennifer Connolly on 0161 474 2442 or email: Jennifer.connolly@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Public Health submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided an update relating to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic for Stockport.

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 decrease in the number of positive cases, however raised concerns with the accuracy of the data as fewer people were reporting and testing.

·         In response it was stated that throughout the pandemic it was known that the figures were an undercount overall. Based on the data collected from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) survey and the positive testing rate, there had not been a significant change and that officers were confident that the figures were fairly accurate. It was likely that measuring the rate of cases would become more difficult from the 1 April 2022 as testing and contact tracing services ended.

·         Raised concerns in relation to the number of positive cases in schools as exam season approached and members requested the number of teaching staff currently absent due to COVID.

·         In response, members were advised that the Council had stepped away from asking schools to report every new case of COVID, however the Council were aware of eight positive cases within teaching staff.

·         Thanked the Director and officers within Public Health for their regular communications throughout the pandemic to both Councillors and residents. 

The Chair thanked the Director for the most up to date and volume of data shared and thanked all the team for their continued hard work.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) Requested that information in relation to the Council’s response to the new Government guidance be circulated to members in advance of the next meeting of the Committee.

To consider a report of the Service Director for Strategy & Commissioning.

The report provides an update on the national, Greater Manchester and Locality arrangements for the Integrated Care System (ICS) in Stockport.   This follows on from the report that was provided to scrutiny committees in September 2021 and the member’s briefing on September 2nd 2021. 

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:

·         Comment on the national and regional developments on Integrated Care Systems;

·         Comment on the progress in Stockport and the draft governance outlined in section 7; and

·         Review next steps and request any further information.

Officer contact: Kathryn Rees by email kathryn.rees@stockport.gov.uk

The Service Director for Strategy & Commissioning submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided an update on the national, Greater Manchester and Locality arrangements for the Integrated Care System (ICS) in Stockport. The report followed on from the report that was provided to Scrutiny Committees in September 2021 and the Member’s Briefing on 2 September 2021.

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 update, progress made and opportunity for collaborative working.

·         Commented on the importance of policies being supported with sufficient resources in order to be effective.

·         In response to a question in relation to how the Integrated Care System would help tackle the inequalities in Stockport, it was stated that the importance of good quality data and a whole system approach would be imperative to establishing impactful interventions, however it was recognised that health inequality had wider determinants outside of health services and the integrated approach enabled the council to bring the system together to look at population health and allocate resources to affect change.

·         Raised concerns locally as Stockport entered into the Greater Manchester model.

·         Thanked the team for their hard work and focus on the impact of the Integrated Care System in the Stockport context.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) Requested that an update report be provided at the June meeting of the Committee.

To consider a report of the Director of Adult Services.

This report outlines the 2022/23 fee setting recommendations for the most significant areas of externally commissioned services within Adult Social Care.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to note the report and provide comment on the approach for proposed fee increases for 2022/23 ahead of the paper being presented to Cabinet for approval on the 15th March 2022.

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

A representative of the Director of Adult Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which outlined the 2022/23 fee setting recommendations for the most significant areas of externally commissioned services within Adult Social Care.

It was reported that since the publication of the report, an updated fee setting report would be presented to Cabinet on 15 March 2022 to accelerate the council’s ambition for services, which have a national living wage as a basis of cost of care modelling, to provide the real living wage in the next few months.

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 council’s investment and accelerated ambition for providers to pay the real living wage as a reflection of the commitment and dedication of social care staff.

·      Raised concerns in relation to the recruitment and retention of staff in the care sector and whether the withdrawal of the mandatory vaccination for social care staff would see staff return to their posts.

·      In response it was stated that at this time the impact of the withdrawal of the mandatory vaccination was unknown, however the service was hopeful that if staff valued their position, they would seek reappointment. It was reported that almost 80 members of staff lost their position as a result of the mandatory vaccination and it was disappointing, given the success of the vaccine roll out in care homes, that a number of staff chose not to have the vaccine and lost their position as a result.

·      It was noted that a key driver for supporting the external market was its ability to reduce the number of hospital admissions and respond appropriately to hospital discharges and an update was requested on the progress of this work.

·      In response, members were advised that the Omicron variant had posed a challenge to the number of hospital discharges and as a result, increased the level of individuals being delayed discharge, however the council had continued to work together with the local Foundation Trust and Stockport CCG to ensure that the discharge to assess process was able to support the very significant pressures across the health and social care system.

·      Whether it was predicted that the increased costs of the hospital discharge programme would create savings in the long term.

·      In response it was stated that it was expected that by working more efficiently and through increased capacity in the provider market, it would afford savings in the long term.

·      In response to a question in relation to the increase in government funding and the impact of the overall budget, it was stated that Stockport was due to receive £0.866m in 2022/23 from the Fair Cost of Care Fund to enable the council to prepare its markets for reform and move towards paying providers a fair cost of care.

·      Raised concerns in relation to care home residents who were unable to pay the increase in their cost of care.

·      In response, members were advised that fairer charging policies were in place to safeguard and support residents who were unable to meet the costs of their care and where the assets of an individual were assessed as being below the set threshold, they would receive a significant reduction in the fees expected.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) Requested that an update report be provided at the June meeting of the Committee.

To consider a joint report of the Director of Adult Services 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 provides a summary of progress in delivering the Portfolio priority outcomes since the mid-year report. In the case of the budget and capital updates, this covers the period since the Q2+ report considered by CRMG Scrutiny in January and Cabinet on 1st February. 

The Third Quarter Update Report focuses on the Portfolio performance measures which are reported where new data or forecasts are available since the Mid-Year Report.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:

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

·         Review the progress against key measures, 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 contact: 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

The Director of Adult Services and Director of Public Health submitted a joint report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Third Quarter Update Portfolio Performance and Resource Report (PPRR) for the Adult Care and Health Portfolio. The report provided a summary of progress in delivering the Portfolio priority outcomes since the mid-year report. In the case of the budget and capital updates, this covered the period since the Q2+ report considered by CRMG Scrutiny in January and Cabinet on 1st February.

The report focussed on the Portfolio performance measures which were reported where new data or forecasts were available since the Mid-Year Report.

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:-

·         Raised concerns in relation to the red status of the number of people undertaking the National Diabetes Prevention Programme.

·         In response it was stated that since 2017 over 2500 people had completed the programme and whilst the numbers had increased from Q2 to Q3, this remained below the target from the Greater Manchester contract. This was due to the ongoing impact of the pandemic on GP referrals and to provide support in the catch up, the capacity of staff within the COVID team would be used.

·         Noted the impact of and response to COVID on performance.

·         Raised concerns in relation to the red status of the uptake of flu vaccinations and increase in the rates of obesity.

·         In response, members were advised that obesity rates had increased in line with the national picture and whilst it was recognised that obesity was a complex issue with wider determinants, the council’s response was linked to the Active Communities Strategy. In relation to the uptake of flu vaccination, it was stated that uptake figures had increased since the publication of the report, however there had been issues with flu vaccine supply for younger adults and high levels of school absences had impacted on the uptake in these groups.

·         Commented on the importance of GP appointments and GP referrals.

·         Raised concerns in relation to the red status of safeguarding outcomes.

·         In response it was stated that although performance remained below target, the figures had increased from the previous two quarters and that the liquid logic system may not have caught up with all the outcomes. It was reported that in some instances individuals were not willing to work with the council to remove the risk.

·         Requested information in relation to the Controlling Migration Fund be shared with the Committee.

·         Raised concerns in relation to the red status of the proportion of nursing bed capacity in Stockport with an overall CQC rating of good or outstanding.

·         In response, members were advised that whilst it was disappointing that the nursing bed quality had fallen, the service was confident that this would improve as the council continued to work with care homes to improve on these measures, monitor performance and provide constructive challenge. It was noted that CQC were also behind on their inspections.

·         In response to a query in relation to the drug and alcohol team and the new provider, members were advised that the service had been recommissioned, where the service was previously serviced by two providers, only Pennine Care was due to be continued.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Public Health.

Stockport’s current Active Communities Strategy 2019-2021 was launched in Autumn 2019 and, despite the challenges presented by the pandemic since March 2020, has demonstrated positive impact over the past 24 months.

This report provides an update on the refreshed ONE Stockport Active Communities Strategy. The updated strategy will continue to adopt a whole systems methodology, but one that is aligned to the new national, Greater Manchester and local priorities, as well as continuing to mitigate against the negative impact of Covid-19 on the wider health and wellbeing of people in Stockport.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:

·      Comment on the strategy principles, implementation priorities, success criteria and wider outcomes; and

·      Note and endorse the continuation of a whole systems methodology for the ONE Stockport Active Communities Strategy 2022-2030.

Officer contact: Russ Boaler/ Megan Palin on 0161 474 3941, or email: russ.boaler@stockport.gov.uk / megan.palin@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Adult Services and Director of Public Health submitted a joint report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided an update on the refreshed ONE Stockport Active Communities Strategy. The updated strategy would continue to adopt a whole systems methodology, but one that was aligned to the new national, Greater Manchester and local priorities, as well as continuing to mitigate against the negative impact of Covid-19 on the wider health and wellbeing of people in Stockport.

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 report and recognised the importance of activity on both physical and mental health.

·      In response, it was stated that the strategy distinguished between being active and doing activity and that the communications plan was vital to delivering messaging around supporting people to be active by reducing their sedentary behaviour to mitigate risk factors to their health, then if an individual wanted

·      to do activity by going through a gym for example this could be added.

·      Commented on the important of community resource and facilities in all areas of Stockport.

·      Noted the link between activity and the affects of the pandemic.

·      Raised concerns in relation of the transition of Life Leisure to a CIC and commented on the importance of the retention of community projects following this transition.

·      In response it was stated that the council was working closely with Life Leisure to incorporate them into the integrated system and that a community role was being included within their specifications.

·      Requested that figures relating to the number of activities available and the uptake be included within an update report.

·      Noted that Stockport was fortunate in the number of parks and open spaces available for residents.

·      Raised concerns in relation to the cost of activities as a barrier to residents and children’s involvement in sport as the cost of living increased.

·      In response it was stated that cost had been recognised as a limiting factor to activity and that the council was working strategically with its partners to develop workable solutions. Members were advised that the council ran a comprehensive school’s programme including after school availability of sports and were continuing to work with local providers in neighbourhoods to provide activity within community settings.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the continuation of a whole systems methodology for the ONE Stockport Active Communities Strategy 2022-2030 be endorsed.

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: Georgia Latham on 0161 474 3229, or email: georgia.latham@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 Forward Plan items.

The Chair invited Councillor John Wright to provide an update on the progress of the Scrutiny Review as Lead Member.

Councillor Wright informed Members that the review was progressing well with the two information gathering sessions having taken place. It was advised that the review panel was due to meet to compile the content and recommendations that would feature within the report and an update on the outcome of the review would be provided in due course.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.