Agenda item

          Councillor Brian Ford, Cabinet Member for Adults’ Heath and Social Care, was in attendance and presented to the Committee a detailed report summarising progress and performance in respect of each of the following service areas within his portfolio of responsibility:

·       Adult Services (older people, people with a learning disability, physical disabilities and mental health)

·       Adult Voluntary Sector Contracts

·       Implementation of Care Act 2014

·       Adult Local Safeguarding Board

·       Public Health – adults

·       Supported Housing

·       Learning Disability Partnership Board

·       Maintaining links between the Council and partner organisations in the Health Services

·       SEQOL Client Lead member

·       Health Improvement

·       Sexual Health

·       Specific Strategic projects

          At the request of the Chair, Councillor Ford, in his presentation of the report, commented specifically on those elements within his portfolio which he felt had been most successful, those where a different approach might have produced better results and the lessons that might have been learned as a consequence, and the challenges he expected to be faced by the Council in relation to these service areas in the coming year and beyond, particularly in relation to on-going budgetary constraints.  He referred to the changes with SEQOL and the work being undertaken by Enterprise Works where marketing their products would increase revenue.  He emphasised that whilst the commercialisation of Enterprise works was being undertaken, the main focus was on ensuring that Enterprise Works would continue their work of supporting individuals moving into long term employment.

          Following his presentation of the report, Councillor Ford with the Director of Adult Services responded to questions and observations on the following matters:

·       Work being undertaken between the Clinical Commissioning Group, Great Western Hospital and the local authority regarding delay transfer of care and how this would affect the deployment of resources over the winter months.

·       The challenge of bed pressures that was addressed through proactively working with other agencies.

·       The proposal of selling products produced by Enterprise Works in the centre of Swindon.

·       Marketing Enterprise Works by promoting their location and updating their website to reflect products available.

·       The importance of retaining health navigators to promote healthy lifestyles and eating.

·       Marketing of fast food outlets on local authority lamp posts and how these may impact the healthy eating message.

·       The importance at taking into account the patients’ wishes regarding their discharge from hospital.

·       Learning disabilities services’ costs.

·       Dedicated accommodation being set up at Hawthorn Avenue and Pembroke Street. 

·       Differences in performance between self-directed support and carers receiving direct payments for support.  Members noted how the local authority was supporting carers and promoting self-directed support. 

·       The importance of being able to support the community whilst adhering to data protection legislation.

          Resolved – (1) That Councillor Ford be thanked for attending the meeting to present this performance report and for his full and open responses to members’ questions and observations on the issues raised.

          (2) That the Director of Strategy, Great Western Hospital, be requested to circulate the early release and re-admission rate of patients.

          (3) That the Director of Adult Services be requested to consider the marketing of Enterprise Works in the centre of Swindon.