To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received by Cllr M Airey, Cllr Jones (Cllr Beer attending as substitute) and Sheila Holmes.

To receive any declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of interest received.

To approve the part I minutes of the meeting held on 24 March 2016.

The Part I minutes of the meeting held on 24 March were approved as a true and correct record subject to the start time being changed to 7pm.  

To comment on the Cabinet report.

The Panel considered the Cabinet report detailing the outcome of the comprehensive review of drug and alcohol services commissioned by Cabinet in October 2015 and undertaken by a Task and Finish Group (TFG).  Cllr Jones was the Panels representative on the TFG.

The objective was to present to Cabinet the most cost effective outcome-based

service. A comprehensive review of the current service had been undertaken including benchmarking, a focus on best practice, identification of areas of risk and a

stakeholder consultation.  

Flexibility, adaptability and responsiveness were key factors in any service model delivery. Members noted the recommended cohort approach detailed in paragraph 2.8 of the report, alongside greater emphasis on prevention, better integration with the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy and better signposting of services.

The Deputy Lead Member for Public Health and Communications thanked those who took part in the TFG and explained that the report was the result of significant work by officers and members of the TFG. The outcome showed the benefit of a collaborative stakeholder approach.  It was noted that as Children and Young people were identified as having prevention as a main focus existing worker would be moved to that directorate.

Cllr Lenton raised concern that the report had been issues late and thus he had not been able to give the excellent report the benefit it requited.   The Panel were informed that it was unfortunate that the report was delayed by a change in the Cabinet cycle requiring all Cabinet reports to be signed off by Cabinet Briefing before releasing. 

Cllr Beer had informed that Cllr Jones had contacted the Deputy Lead Member for Public Health and Communications questioning if the three year contract was sufficient.  In reply the Panel were informed that the TFG did not discuss specific timelines but looked at usage trends, especially drug use.  It was felt that awarding three year contracts would allow the service to remain flexible and responsive to change.

Cllr Jones had also asked Cllr Beer to mention that with regards to sign posting to services that ever area needed to be covered to help reduce repeat offenders.  The Panel were informed that this was covered in recommendations 10.1 and 10.2 of the report which mentioned reviews of other services carried out by agencies to assure quality and breadth of provision. 

Resolved Unanimously that: The Adult Services and Health O&S Panel considered the report and fully endorsed the recommendations.  The Chairman thanked those on the Task and Finish Group and supporting officers for their excellent work on the report.

To comment on the Cabinet report.

The Panel considered the latest financial update report due to go to Cabinet that presented the 2015/16 outturn.

With regards to Adult Services higher numbers of older people in residential and nursing care or social care in their own homes had caused budget pressures.  The increased cost of supporting people with learning disabilities or mental health

problems was also an issue. Some of this had been offset by careful management of

support staff costs. Full details of pressures and mitigating actions were contained at section 4.2 of the report.

Cllr Lenton asked why the increased costs of meeting care needs had not been predicted.  The Panel were informed that the costs of learning disability was hard to predict, although modelling was undertaken.  Whilst younger many of the users are cared for at home by parents and it is when they can no longer support the child that care packages / supported living was required.  There were currently about 120 high cost placements with the potential of another 300 coming into the service. 

Cllr Lenton also raised concern about the high number of care homes in the district and the financial difficulties this brings when the cost of care can no longer be met by the individual.  The Panel were informed that the Borough local Plan would contain a section detailing how providers would have to demonstrate need to get permission for new care homes.

Cllr Hollingsworth questioned if this would be an increased problem over time and also raised concern about the elderly being discharged from hospitals too early.  The Panel were informed that we were an aging population and that there was good collaborative working between adult social care and hospitals regarding discharge of patients.   

Resolve Unanimously: That the Adult Services and Health O&S Panel considered the report and fully endorsed the recommendations.

To note the forward plan.

The Panel noted the Forward Plan and it was recommended that the a housing association be invited to attend a future meeting.  

To approve the part II minutes of the meeting held on 24 March 2016.

To comment on the Cabinet report.