Decision details

Scrutiny of Budget Proposals 2018/19

Decision Maker: Health Scrutiny Committee

Decision status: Recommendations approved

Is Key decision?: No

Decisions:

The Chair welcomed the following speakers to the Health Scrutiny Committee:

·  County Councillor Shaun Turner, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing;

·  County Councillor Graham Gooch, Cabinet Member for Adult Services;

·  Louise Taylor, Executive Director of Adult Services and Health & Wellbeing;

·  Neil Kissock, Director of Finance;

·  Sakthi Karunanithi, Director of Public Health and Wellbeing; and

·  Tony Pounder, Director of Adult Services, to the meeting.

 

The report presented set out all the savings proposals as agreed by the Cabinet at its meetings between 14 September and 7 December 2017 including those that were due for consideration on 18 January 2018, that were relative to the Health Scrutiny Committee's terms of reference for consideration. It was a revised process as agreed by the Chairs and Deputy Chairs of all relevant Scrutiny Committees for the scrutiny of Cabinet's budget proposals following the disestablishment of the Executive Scrutiny Committee and its Budget Scrutiny Working Group.

 

From discussions on the savings proposals outlined in Appendix 'A' of the report, the following items for future scrutiny review during 2018/19 were identified:

 

·  Sexual Health – assurance was sought on the reasons for the under spend and the affect this proposal would have on access or quality of service. It was reported that the way the County Council paid for sexual health had changed. Officers would monitor key outcomes. Access to sexual health in the rural communities was raised as a concern.

·  Advocacy Services – concern was expressed around the affect this proposal would have in relation to third sector providers and another proposal to remove local member grants. It was noted this proposal was out for consultation. The local member grants proposal was highlighted for future scrutiny review by the Internal Scrutiny Committee when it met on 19 January 2018.

·  Learning, Disability and Autism: Enablement – issue around time limited support and the possibility that adults in receipt of such support might not become more independent within the time limited period.

·  Older Persons In-House Residential Services: Self Funder Fees – concern around the affect this proposal would have on self-funders and their families beyond April 2018. 

·  Extra Sheltered Care Services – concern around the delivery of the proposal given recruitment and retention issues and the potential for delays in assessments.

 

It was suggested that a bite size briefing be arranged on the 'Learning Disability Service – Supported Living' proposal with a particular focus on Best Interest Decisions.

 

Resolved: That all requests made by Members of the Committee be compiled from the minutes of the meeting and form a part of the work planning session in readiness for the 2018/19 municipal year.

 

Report author: Gary Halsall

Date of decision: 23/01/2018

Decided at meeting: 23/01/2018 - Health Scrutiny Committee

Accompanying Documents: