Agenda item

Councillor Brian Ford, Cabinet Member for Adult’s Health 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 with a learning disability, physical disabilities and mental health).

·       Adult Voluntary Sector Contracts.

·       Discharge duties under the Care Act 2014, Mental Health Act 1983, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and other relevant legislation.

·       Adult Safeguarding Board.

·       Public Health – Adults including Health Improvement and Sexual Health.

·       Supported Housing.

·       Learning Disability Partnership Board.

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

·       SEQOL Client Lead Member.

·       Specific Strategic Projects.

At thr request of the Cahir, 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.

Following his presentation of the report, Councillor Ford responded to members’ specific questions and observations on the following matters.

·       The role of carers and volunteers in relieving pressure on Council services and the social care budget.

·       The need for housing and social carers to be involved in the design of any new accommodation for those in need of social care accommodation.

·       The role of community navigators in placements.

·       Delays in hospital discharges and work being undertaken by the Council and partner organisations to better synchronise this process (it also being noted that early discharge might affect carers’ ability to undertake their role and lead to readmissions).

·       The role of overview committees in influencing hospital discharge policies and practice.

·       The engagement of Swindon’s Members of Parliament in further promoting employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities.

·       The benefits arising from worm undertaken by the Council’s Trading Standards team to prohibit the sale of illegal tobacco.

·       The availability of reserves and one off capital monies for investment within the portfolio to mitigate demand.

·       The current financial position of the portfolio and reserves available to off-set any deficit.

·       The review of care package costs.

·       Financial support available for voluntary or charitable organisations, either directly or through Central Government fund dispersal, which help mitigate social care demand.

·       Work to address health inequalities through community support and where possible ensure a single point of access to services.

·       The future of Enterprise Works including pilot projects for housing and work under the SEQOL contract.

·       The need to ensure that programmes and/or projects are given enough time to prove their effectiveness.

·       The potential of cross training to help address recruitment issues at the Great Western Hospitals and GP surgeries within the town.

·       The need to examine culture and innovative messages and programmes to reduce level of obesity within the Borough.

·       The use of dementia shaped atlas to help inform decision making.

·       Staff training to ensure that allegations of abuse are not lost within the system and also the need to maintain appropriate oversight.

·       Addressing quality issues regarding work with the CCG and ensuring transparency in relation to work and training.

·       Concerns over GP recruitment in Swindon and measures such as access appropriate housing that might make Swindon a more attractive town to work in.

·       The need to re-examine the availability of key worker housing.

·       The possible subsidy of Swindon Dial-a-Ride by the Social Care Budget to improve mobility and reduce service pressures elsewhere within the portfolio.

·       The use of the Public Health budget to promote the health benefits of smoking patches and vapours.

·       The provision of better information as to the causes of, and links between, obesity and diabetes.

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 information requested by Members during the course of the Committee’s consideration of this item be forwarded to Members via the Committee Officer.