Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

The Chair welcomed the Committee and safety information was provided.

No apologies were received.

To note any declarations of interest from councillors. They are asked to

indicate the relevant agenda item, the nature of the interest and in particular

whether it is a disclosable pecuniary interest.

Any declaration of interest made at the meeting which is not on the register of

interests should be notified to the Monitoring Officer for inclusion.

Cllr Kelvin Blake noted non-pecuniary interests as a non-executive Director of North Bristol Trust and Chair of Second Step.

Cllr Jos Clark noted previous employment with We Care Home Improvement; as the employment had ceased this was no longer listed on the register of interests but noted for purposes of transparency.

Cllr Carole Johnson also noted a previous position as Trustee for Brigstowe for purposes of transparency.

The Chair moved that the minutes of the previous meeting of the committee held on 2 September 2024 be accepted as a correct record. This was seconded.

The Committee confirmed the minutes as a correct record.

To receive any announcements from the Chair.

The Chair welcomed the participation from the Public Forum in the meeting and noted the high feeling. The Chair emphasised that no decision was taken lightly in the face of a significant deficit.

Up to 30 minutes is allowed for this item.

Any member of the public or councillor may participate in Public Forum. Public Forum items must relate to the remit of the committee and should be addressed to the Chair of the committee.

Members of the public who plan to attend a public meeting at City Hall are advised that you will be required to sign in when you arrive. Please note that you will be issued with a visitor pass which you will need to display at all times.

Please also note:

Questions

1.      Written public questions must be received by 5.00 pm, at least 3 clear working days prior to the meeting. For this meeting, this means that questions must be received at the latest by 5.00 pm on Tuesday 15^th October. Please email questions to policycommittees@bristol.gov.uk

2.      Any individual can submit up to 3 written questions.

3.      Written replies to questions will be available on the Council’s website at least one hour before the meeting.

4.      At the meeting, questioners will be permitted to ask up to 2 oral supplementary questions.

Statements

1.      Written statements must be received at latest by 12.00 noon, at least 2 working days prior to the meeting. For this meeting, this means that statements must be received at the latest by 12.00 noon on Thursday 17^th October. Please email statements to policycommittees@bristol.gov.uk

2.      Statements, provided they are no more than 1,000 words in length, will be circulated to all committee members and will be published on the Council’s website at least one hour before the meeting.

Petitions

1.      Details of the wording of any petitions, and the number of signatories to petitions must be received at latest by 12.00 noon, at least 2 working days prior to the meeting. For this meeting, this means that petition details must be received at the latest by 12.00 noon on Thursday 17^th October. Please email petition details to policycommittees@bristol.gov.uk

2.      At the meeting, individuals presenting petitions may be required to read out the objectives of the petition.

When submitting a question or statement please indicate whether you are planning to attend the meeting to present your statement ask your question

Rami Ghali submitted three questions as part of public forum. Written responses were provided.

5 statements were received from Members of the Public as follows:

-       Michelle Richards

-       Leacroft Robinson

-       Joanna Fryer

-       Jane Risdale

-       David Redgewell.

All statements were related to Help When You Need It proposals and were noted by the Committee in consideration of item 8.

The Committee RESOLVED

To approve the Adult Social Care Co-Production policy and support the policy to be embedded across Adult Social Care.

To also support use of the policy in other departments across Bristol City Council where appropriate.

The Committee was advised that the report (agenda item 7) was to approve the Coproduction Policy and Process for Adult Social Care. This was a Key decision as it affected 2 or more wards.

A presentation was delivered by the Transformation and Commissioning Officer and members of the Co-Production Working Group.

The Committee was invited to raise comments or questions. Key points from the discussion included:

1.     A Member queried what future steps would be possible, such as co-ownership of problems through co-production around financial challenges. It was emphasised that the Policy and Process was a starting point of a longer journey. The issue had been in development for some time and was welcomed by Officers.

2.     The evaluation of social gain was complex, although examples of the benefit of co-production had been seen through improved efficiency by minimising the need for review and increasing take up. A link to a co-production impact resource tool from the Social Care Institute for Excellence had been provided in the report reading list (Appendix A4).

3.     Costs associated with the Policy were part of the existing 2024-25 budget.

The Chair moved the report. This was seconded by Cllr Blake. The Committee approved the report unanimously.

The Committee RESOLVED

To approve the Adult Social Care Co-Production policy and support the policy to be embedded across Adult Social Care.

To also support use of the policy in other departments across Bristol City Council where appropriate.

The Committee RESOLVED to

1)    Authorise the Executive Director for Adults and Communities in consultation with Chair of the Adult Social Care Committee to take all steps required procure and award the Home Improvement Agency contract for 3+1+1 years at a cost of up to £5,759,008 in-line with the procurement routes and maximum budget envelopes outlined in this report, following a co-design process with service providers and users of the services in accordance with a timescale agreed by the Executive Director in consultation with the Chair.

2)    Authorise the Executive Director for Adults and Communities to invoke any subsequent extensions/variations specifically defined in the contract(s) being awarded, up to the maximum budget envelope outlined in this report.

3)    Authorise the Executive Director for Adults and Communities, in consultation with Chair of the Adult Social Care Committee, to take all steps required to procure and award the Help When You Need It contracts for 3+1+1 years at a cost of up to £13,989,197.18 in-line with the procurement routes and maximum budget envelopes outlined in this report.

4)    Authorise the Executive Director for Adults and Communities to invoke any subsequent extensions/variations specifically defined in the contract(s) being awarded, up to the maximum budget envelope outlined in this report.

5)    Authorise the Executive Director for Adults and Communities to invoke extensions/variations specifically defined in current Help When You Need It contracts, if required, up to the maximum budget envelope outlined in this report.

6)    Note the consultation report at Appendix F and as summarised in this report.

The Preventative Support Services Recommissioning report (agenda item 8) was to seek approval for the recommissioning of Preventative Support Services ‘Help When You Need It’ and ‘Home Improvement Agency’ contracts. This was a Key decision as it involved over £500k spend/save & impacted more than 2 wards.

The Interim Deputy Director for Adult Commissioning presented the report. Key points from the discussion included:

1.    The input from service users through Public Forum and elsewhere was noted by Officers, and the importance recognised. Due to the financial difficulties all contracts were being reviewed at the point of renewal. The report proposed a reduction in the named services by around 20%.

2.    Members raised concern over the impact on service users, as well as increasing pressure on both Social Care and the NHS around hospital discharge. Officers noted that there were a number of services which supported hospital discharge, including a team within the Housing department. Appendix F reflected recognition of the potential impact.

3.    Officers highlighted that with the advance notice of an end date that there was an opportunity to manage the transition to a reduced service with new providers coming into place. The proposal involved increasing the number of service users in the care of community services, with the reduction in services offset by working with providers. Members raised concern over the timescale of this transition with the end date of the existing contracts being 31 March 2025. There was a concern that as the details of the potential new services were not yet known there would be insufficient time to appropriately signpost to ensure all needs were met.

4.    Cllr Blake raised that a number of amendments had been proposed to the recommendations. One had been withdrawn due to advice that the proposed amendment would negate the recommendation. He notified the Committee of an intention to propose an amendment to recommendation 1 to incorporate a co-design process with service users and providers in order to mitigate impact. Officers advised that a delay to the proposal would have financial implications, which would have to be addressed elsewhere within the Adult Social Care budget.

5.    The budget was discussed. It was agreed that improvements could be made in evidencing the impact of preventative services in order to demonstrate an argument for re-investment. It was emphasised that these were key savings to come from discretionary services in a national environment in which many discretionary services were being eliminated entirely.

The Chair moved the report. This was seconded by Cllr Wye.

It was agreed that for the sake of clarity that votes would be taken on the recommendations by turn.

For recommendation 1: That the Committee for Adult Social Care:

Authorises the Executive Director for Adults and Communities in consultation with Chair of the Adult Social Care Committee to take all steps required procure and award the Home Improvement Agency contract for 3+1+1 years at a cost of up to £5,634,007.92, in-line with the procurement routes and maximum budget envelopes outlined in this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

The Committee RESOLVED to note:

1)    That Adult Social Care fund has a savings target of £10.9m in this financial year. The programme continues to work on additional initiatives that contribute to the delivery of this.

2)    That as per baselining at CLB on 26 April 2024, the Adult Social Care Transformation Programme budget is £2,432,000 (plus contingency held centrally by CLB).

3)    That as per baselining at CLB, the Adult Social Care Transformation Programme savings target is £6.467m.

4)    That as per baselining at CLB on 26 April 2024, no funding has yet been approved for 2025/26.

The Committee was advised that the report (agenda item 9) provided an update on the Adult Social Care Transformation Programme. There were no decisions to be taken on this report which was for noting.

The Committee was invited to raise comments or questions. Key points from the discussion included:

1.     There was an imminent expectation of a CQC inspection notification.

2.     More work was required in addressing budget pressures. The Medium Term Financial Plan was in development and being discussed with Councillors through the Finance sub-committee. It was expected that the Chair of the ASC Policy Committee would be involved in those discussions.

3.     The interface with Health organisations in delivering improved outcomes was discussed, acknowledging challenges around how to establish joint funding.

The Committee RESOLVED to note:

1)    That Adult Social Care fund has a savings target of £10.9m in this financial year. The programme continues to work on additional initiatives that contribute to the delivery of this.

2)    That as per baselining at CLB on 26 April 2024, the Adult Social Care Transformation Programme budget is £2,432,000 (plus contingency held centrally by CLB).

3)    That as per baselining at CLB, the Adult Social Care Transformation Programme savings target is £6.467m.

4)    That as per baselining at CLB on 26 April 2024, no funding has yet been approved for 2025/26.

The Committee RESOLVED

To note the report.

The Committee was advised that the report (agenda item 10) provided anupdate on the significant strategic risks to achieving the Council’s objectives within the Adult Social Care Committee, as set in the Corporate Strategy 2022-2027, and summarised progress in managing the risks and actions being taken as at Quarter 1 2024-25.

There were no decisions to be taken on this report which was for noting.

The Executive Director presented the report. Key points from the discussion included:

1.    It was recommended that risk CRR53 be de-escalated following improvements in staff vacancy and sickness rates.

2.    Four risks previously identified remained high. CRR56 on the threat to the CQC Assuredness Preparedness and Rating was discussed. The Executive Director emphasised that a great deal of work had been undertaken in order to prepare for a potential inspection.

The Committee RESOLVED

To note the report.

The Committee RESOLVED to note

Performance against the Business Plan relevant to this Committee, including the issues raised and measures to address performance issues to be implemented by relevant services.

The Committee was advised that the report (agenda item 11) was to update the Committee on the Council's Performance Management Report. There were no decisions to be taken on this report which was for noting.

The Strategic Intelligence and Performance Advisorintroduced and outlined the report.

Key discussion points included:

1.    Members were directed to the live Performance Dashboard to monitor performance. It was highlighted that all 9 Corporate Actions were on schedule to be delivered.

2.    It was clarified that there was no comparison to performance over previous 12 months for BPPM260 as this was a new metric.

3.    BPPM291b was discussed and queried whether the ‘number of service users’ was an appropriate target. The Executive Director agreed, and considerations around this were discussed. Member involvement in setting targets was welcomed.

The Committee RESOLVED to note

Performance against the Business Plan relevant to this Committee, including the issues raised and measures to address performance issues to be implemented by relevant services.

The Committee RESOLVED to note

1.The Adult Social Care General Fund forecast outturn revenue position of a £6.5 million overspend at P5 2024/25.

2. The forecast of a breakeven position on the Capital Programme budget 2024/25

The Committee was advised that the report (agenda item 12) presented information and analysis to the Adult Social Care Committee on the council’s financial performance against the approved budget and its forecast use of resources for the financial year 2024/25 (June / Period 5 extrapolated).

There were no decisions to be taken on this report which was for noting.

The Executive Director presented the report.

The Committee was invited to raise comments or questions. Key points from the discussion included:

1.    It was noted that overspend was largely found in Adult Social Care purchasing. The rise in demand for mental health services in particular since Covid was acknowledged.

2.    The previously mentioned demand due to an aging population and expectation of a ‘bulge’ in the next few years was raised. It was suggested that this could be a topic for further development with colleagues in Public Health and the Health Overview Scrutiny Commission. This was noted.

The Committee RESOLVED to note

1.The Adult Social Care General Fund forecast outturn revenue position of a £6.5 million overspend at P5 2024/25.

2. The forecast of a breakeven position on the Capital Programme budget 2024/25