Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting, especially Sandy Bannister, the Corporate Equality and Diversity Manager and Peter Pinfield, the Chairman of Worcestershire Healthwatch.

Apologies had been received from the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care.

Councillor Griffiths declared an interest as her daughter was employed by a care home.

Members of the public wishing to take part should notify the Head of Legal and Democratic Services, in writing or by email indicating the nature and content of their proposed participation no later than 9.00am on the working day before the meeting (in this case 16 November 2015). Enquiries can be made through the telephone number/email address below.

None.

Previously circulated

The Minutes of the meeting held on 13 October 2015 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Director for Adult Services and Health gave a presentation on the Corporate Strategy Planning process for 2016/17.

Members were reminded that the process included 3 discussions with Cabinet Members between June and September, with final proposals being submitted to the 19 November 2015 Cabinet meeting.

Further cost pressures including the implementation of the Living Wage from April 2016 and the introduction and embedding of the Care Act had added to the already difficult discussion on how to achieve necessary savings.

The Director reported on progress against outcomes, highlighting the 'Your Life, Your Choice' website as a resource for information and advice to assist with promoting health and independence.  Over 300 services were accessible with information expected to be reviewed regularly.  The next phase was to develop a community resilience and volunteering plan.

Despite savings of £8.5m being achieved from prevention services since March 2014, there had been  no obvious impact on social care demand.  A review of integrated recovery services had taken place with a view to recommission the service.  The implications of the unexpected in year reduction to the Public Health Ring-Fenced Grant were being worked through. 

Around 1,000 people were in receipt of a direct payment, equating to around 32% of eligible residents.  Further promotion of this was anticipated.

Quality Assurance continues to be a driver for the Directorate to ensure that quality and productivity of services is maintained.  A new framework had been developed and further review was expected. 

The introduction of the Care Act had brought challenges, yet the Directorate was well positioned to comply with the legal duties after committing to thorough staff training.  Phase One changes had been embedded and were undergoing audit, however nationally, Phase Two changes had been deferred until 2020.

In relation to savings, Members were reminded that when original savings targets were set in 2013 (for the period 2013 – 2018) the Care Act was not known about.

During the current financial year, of the £12,628,000 savings required, £9,053,000 had been delivered and £381,000 was on track to be delivered.  The Director suggested that over £3m worth of savings were at risk of not being achieved this year, however, the Cabinet Member and Director had acknowledged that Directorate Reserves could be needed to meet the savings required.

Of those programmes which were at risk, three made up the majority of funding.  These were reducing the demand on older people residential and nursing care, new model of social work and extra care & supported living.

In addition, other cost pressures were cited, including the rising demand and cost of older people in residential and nursing care and older people requiring homecare.  Furthermore, the transition of care for people with complex learning disabilities had moved from the NHS to the Local Authority.

The Director discussed future developments, with lots of good practice around integration of health and social care referred to.  The Better Care Fund had facilitated the integration programme and Worcestershire was a national pioneer.  It was made clear that no  ...  view the full minutes text for item 206.