Q&A session with the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, Councillor Peter Morton, focusing on the process for co-production during the implementation of decisions, made by Cabinet in November 2015, in relation to changes to adult care services.
Minutes:
The panel received a verbal update on the work of the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, Councillor Peter Morton.
Councillor Morton provided an update on the following issues:
- An update on priorities set out in Haringey’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2015-18. This included information on two successful bids for government funding relating to health prevention projects/pilots concerning (a) supporting people to remain in / getting back into employment and (b) creating healthy communities.
- The work of the Haringey Obesity Alliance.
- Information was provided on a new national Sugar Smart campaign. It was explained that children from Stamford Hill Primary School had launched a new innovative app that would help parents and children to see how much sugar was in everyday food and drink.
- An update on the “No Ball Games” signs review including work that was taking place with Homes for Haringey and residents associations to raise awareness of problems associated with obesity and to encourage children to be more active.
- The impact of fast food outlets on health and new planning ideas that had been outlined in the Council’s Local Plan Making documents. It was explained that these proposals would ban new hot food takeaways from opening within 400 meters of primary and secondary schools.
- GP access in Tottenham, including an update in relation to the progress of the Premises Task and Finish Group. It was noted that planned service commencement, in Tottenham Hale, was expected during late February 2016.
- The fact that Haringey, like most other London Borough, had seen continuing increases in the demand for Adult Social Care services as a result of an ageing population and market demand leading to increased provision costs. As a result, Councillor Morton explained that the Council was consulting on a proposal to apply a 2% social care council tax precept to the 2016/17 budget. It was noted that further information on these issues could be found in the 19th January 2016 Cabinet papers.
- The outcome of an open tender process for the award of a contract to The Bridge Renewal Trust to be the Council’s strategic partner for the Voluntary and Community Sector.
- An update on the facilities and plans for Protheroe House.
During the discussion that followed reference was made to a number of issues, including:
- The launch of Earlham Primary School’s walking bus scheme.
- The process for care and support needs assessments in relation to changes to adult care services.
- The finance and risk modelling that had been undertaken in relation to day opportunities transformation and changes that had occurred as a result of this work. For example, it was noted that savings of approximately £3.6 million had been moved back from years 1 to 2 in terms of the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy.
- Issues in relation to purchasing care, the costs of care packages and carers’ assessments.
- The consultation process for the 2016/17 budget, including the proposed 2% social care precept. It was noted responses to these proposals would be fed into budget papers and considered by Cabinet and Full Council in February 2016. Concerns were raised that it was difficult to find the budget consultation online via www.haringey.gov.uk It was suggested that a link should be made available via the home page to ensure this information was made as accessible as possible.
- The significant forecast out-turn variance for Adult Social Services of a £12.9 million overspend. It was noted that factors leading to the variances and the actions being taken to address the issues and solutions to them would be considered by the Adults and Health Scrutiny Panel at a meeting on 11 February 2016.
- The process/timetable for co-production in relation to decisions made by Cabinet in November 2015 concerning changes to adult care services. The panel suggested that moving forward there should be flexibility in adult care budgets to support the outcomes of co-production exercises.
- The role of the Stakeholder Steering Group, chaired by Healthwatch, in relation to the co design of new opportunities in relation to adult care services.
- Issues in relation to community provision and support for carers in relation to concerns raised in relation to dementia care in the east of the borough.
- Issues in relation to personal budgets and direct payments.
- The importance of providing clear advice, signposting and information to service users and carers in relation to changes to adult care services, including proposals in relation to the 2% social care council tax precept.
- The work that was being carried out by the Corporate Delivery Unit in relation to the supply and demand of adult care services.
- Concerns in relation to the future use of buildings once services, such as the Haven Day Centre, had been closed.
AGREED:
(a) That the update from the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing be noted.
(b) That an update in relation to the co design of new opportunities in relation to changes to adult care services be prioritised as part of the panel’s future work programme for June/July 2016. This should include input from the Stakeholder Steering Group.