Agenda and minutes

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Items
No. Item

21.

APOLOGIES

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The following apologies for absence were received:

 

Councillors:  K Cannon, S Frost, T Cottier, S Mountney and P Gilchrist

 

22.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 122 KB

To approve the accuracy of the minutes of the meeting held on 7 June 2021.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Resolved – That the accuracy of the minutes of the meeting held on 7 June 2021 be agreed.

 

23.

MEMBER DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members are asked to consider whether they have any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or any other relevant interest in connection with any item(s) on this agenda and, if so, to declare them and state the nature of the interest.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members were asked to consider whether they had any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or any other relevant interest in connection with any item(s) on this agenda and, if so, to declare them and state what they were.

 

The following declarations were made:

 

Councillor C Jones

Personal interest by virtue of her employment in the NHS

Councillor C O’Hagan

Personal interest by virtue of her employment in the NHS

Councillor M McLaughlin

Personal interest by virtue of her family’s employment in the NHS and Wirral Council’s Children’s Services

Councillor M Jordan

Personal interest by virtue of her employment in the NHS, her son’s employment un the NHS and her involvement as a trustee for ‘incubabies

Councillor Y Nolan

Personal interest by virtue of her position as Governor of Clatterbridge Cancer Centre

Councillor J Walsh

Personal interest by virtue of his family members employment in the NHS.

 

24.

PUBLIC QUESTIONS

Additional documents:

Minutes:

No questions, statements of petitions were received.

 

25.

Revenue Budget Monitoring Month 2 (April-May) 2021-22 pdf icon PDF 89 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Graham Hodkinson, Director of Care and Health, introduced the report which set out the financial monitoring information for the Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee.

 

The report provided Members with an overview of budget performance for the area. It was reported that work on quarter 1 reporting for financial year 2021-22 commenced on 1 July 2021 and due to reporting constraints to public committee meetings it had not been possible to provide a full quarter 1 update at this point. Members were advised that as of month 2 (May), the financial outturn for 2021-22 was a small favourable position of £0.35m against a total net budget of £113.1m. Members were advised that this represents minor improvement on some budget lines but no significant variances.

 

The report informed that the forecast anticipates continued uptake by providers of the Real Living Wage fee rates as agreed at Committee on 7 June 2021, and full achievement of the £4.5m saving target against community care.

 

Appendix 1 to the report provided a breakdown of the revenue budget for the Adult Care and Health Directorate for 2021/22

 

The Committee welcomed the update and commented on the positive situation at present.

 

Resolved – That the report be noted.

 

 

 

26.

ADULT SOCIAL CARE AND HEALTH PERFORMANCE REPORT pdf icon PDF 72 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Simon Garner, Health and Care Commissioning Lead introduced the report of the Director of Care and Health providing an update on performance in relation to Adult Social Care and Health.

 

Key elements of the performance report were highlighted including residential and nursing care over time demonstrating a stable position and the actual numbers of people receiving services has remained similar.

 

Members were reminded of the extra care provision in Wirral that opened two weeks prior to this committee, thus having a positive impact.

 

The Health and Care Commissioning Lead advised that there is currently a 20% capacity in care homes in Wirral, a figure that is slightly higher than in neighbouring authorities. It was further reported that 66.67% of Wirral care homes had been rated good by the Care Quality Commission, with 28.46% requiring improvement and 2.44% requiring improvement.

 

In response to a question by a Member, the Committee were advised that there has been an impact of care home staff needing to self isolate and the situation is being monitored alongside guidance of colleagues in public health. The Committee were also informed that after completing an exercise, it had become apparent that the 20% vacancy rate had been a result of the Covid 19 Pandemic and typically prior to the pandemic, care homes have carried between a 12 and 15% vacancy rate, but covid has increased this.

 

Resolved – That the report be noted.

 

27.

Integrated Care System and Integrated Care Partnership Developments - update pdf icon PDF 162 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A Report by the Director of Care and Health set out the policy context for the development of Integrated Care Systems (ICS) in the NHS in England, specifically highlighting the work to create a Cheshire and Merseyside ICS. The report also set out the emerging guidance around developing Integrated Care Partnership (ICP) in “ place” and specifically in Wirral.

 

The report set out the policy context as follows:

 

·  26 November 2020 -  NHS England/ Improvement (NHSE/I) published integrating Care: Next steps to building strong and effective integrated care systems across England, subsequently referred to as Integrating Care: Next steps

 

·  11 Feb 2021 – The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) published the White Paper Integration and innovation: working together to improve health and social care for all. On the same day NHSE/I issued four documents encouraging Her Majesty’s Government to introduce legislation, at the earliest opportunity to place Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) “ on a clear statutory footing, but with minimum national legislative provision and prescription, and a maximum local operational flexibility”.

 

·  25 March 2021 – NHS England and NHS Improvement published the NHS Operational Planning and Implementation Guidance for 2021/22, setting out that:

 

·  There will be one statutory ICS NHS body and one statutory ICS health and care partnership per ICS from April 2022. •

 

·  Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) functions will be subsumed into the ICS NHS body and some NHS England and NHS Improvement direct commissioning functions will be transferred or delegated to ICSs.

 

·  CCG staff below board level who are directly affected will have an employment commitment and local NHS administrative running costs will not be cut as a consequence of the organisational changes.

 

·  Through strong place-based partnerships, NHS organisations will continue to forge deep relationships with local government and communities to join up health and social care and tackle the wider social and economic determinants of health. To enable this, ICS boundaries will align with upper-tier Local Authority boundaries by April 2022, unless otherwise agreed by exception. Joint working with local government will be further supported by the health and care partnership at ICS level.

 

·  The development of primary and community services and implementation of population health management will be led at place level, with Primary Care Networks as the building blocks of local healthcare integration.

 

·  Every acute (non-specialist) and mental health NHS trust and Foundation Trust (FT) will be part of at least one provider collaborative, allowing them to integrate services appropriately with local partners at place and to strengthen the resilience, efficiency and quality of services delivered at-scale, including across multiple ICSs.

 

·  Clinical and professional leadership will be enhanced, connecting the primary care voice that has been a strong feature of Primary Care Networks (PCNs) and CCGs, to clinical and professional leadership from community, acute and mental health providers, Public Health, and social care teams.

 

 

The report further advised that the intention of the Government to bring forward a Health and Care Bill to implement the proposals in the White Paper was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

28.

Wirral Health and Care Commissioning Single Business Plan 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 107 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A report by the Director of Care and Health introduced the DRAFT Wirral Health and Care Commissioning (WHCC) Single Business Plan for 2021/22,  as set out in appendix 1 of the report, and the key priorities and workstreams that underpin it, and which will contribute towards delivering better outcomes for Wirral Residents.

 

The report informed that the purpose of the WHCC is to jointly commission all age health and care services for residents in Wirral, which have a positive impact on the life course of an individual. Members were advised that the key to this is the transformation of service delivery which is expected to improve the experience of people and to reduce the need for long term care and hospital care by:

 

·  Improving the health and wellbeing outcomes for the people of Wirral,

·  Reducing health inequalities; and

·  Delivering sustainable services, both through the workforce and financially.

 

Members were advised that the Single Business Plan identifies the key focus of work over 2021/22 toward delivering these aims. The report further advised that the work will be structured around the four key themes of Children and Families; Ageing Well; Emotional Health and Wellbeing; Healthy Communities and each of the themes are described in the business plan.

 

In response to comments from Members, The Director of Health and Care advised that the WHCC Business Plan supports commitments to working in integrated care and that there is work ongoing with air quality groups and the plan is linked into regeneration work.

 

A comment made by a Member drew attention to a lack of information regarding the impact of environmental factors such as access to green space as a means to improve mental wellbeing. It was asked that this could be included in future reports to Committee on the matter.

 

In response to a question by a Member it was reported that the impacts of long covid are emerging and there is forward planning through the means of joint working with the Council and NHS. There is funding available to the NHS for provision to treat people with long covid. It was suggested that this information be presented to Committee at a later date.

 

Resolved – That the report be noted with the request that environmental factors be included within future reports along with the impact of long covid as it emerges.

 

29.

Carers Services and Carers Strategy Review pdf icon PDF 119 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A report of the Director of Care and Health, presented by Jayne Marshall, Lead Commissioner – Community Care Market), updated Members on the current offer to carers, requested support for the establishment of a Carers Partnership Board (CAPB) and proposed a review of the Council’s Carer’s Strategy.

 

The report advised that Under the Care Act 2014, there is a statutory duty to identify, support and assess carers and for carers to be treated with partity of esteem alongside the vulnerable people whom they are providing care for. There is a requirement to provide support to prevent or delay the needs of the carer, and the person they acre for from increasing. It was reported that according to the Census 2011 there are 40,340 Carers in Wirral and it is expected that this figure will increase when the 2021 Census figures are released. Members were advised that the estimated economical value of the contribution made by Wirral carers is £851 million per year.

 

Members were informed that through the Covid-19 pandemic, the activities of the carers support have been limited due to Covid-19 restrictions and where possible support has been provided through virtual, electronic and tele communications.

 

The repot set out details of the Early Intervention and Prevention and Carers (Young Adults Carers)- EIAP and Carers contract and advised that in 2017, Wirral Adult Social Care, Children’s Services, Public Health and NHS Wirral CCG brought together a range of separate contracts that were being delivered by a variety of voluntary, community and faith sector organisations (VCF). It was advised that the intention was for the services to be delivered through a single delivery vehicle (SDV) to improve the pathway for support for vulnerable people and carers, and to offer a seamless, joined up service. Members were informed that the contract was awarded to Wirral Health and Wellbeing CIC, the partners for the delivery of the contract are:

 

·  Wirral information and Resource for Equality and Diversity (Wired)

·  Age UK Wirral

·  Wirral MIND

·  Barnardo’s Wirral

·  Health Junction

 

The report informed that an advantage to the SDV was to develop closer working across the sector and to improve the identification of carers in Wirral. It was acknowledged that Carers can be any age, gender and the level of care they provide varies depending on the condition of the person they care for. Details of the services offered were listed within the report.

 

The report further detailed: shot break bed provision, Carers Partnership Board, Wirral Strategy for Carers, Carers Strategic developments locally; Wirral Council’s Working Carers Policy; Carers Emergency Contact Scheme; Carers Covid- 19 vaccinations; PPE for Carers; Improved identification of carers; digital resource for carers; unpaid carers project; carers grant review and Carers Policy network

 

In response to a question by a Member in relation to dementia carers, it was advised that there are courses and helplines available to help carers who care for individuals with dementia.

 

Resolved – That

 

(1)  the Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee support the development of a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

30.

The Development of a Sport and Physical Activity Strategy for Wirral - Update Report pdf icon PDF 128 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A report by the Director of Neighbourhood Services, presented by Andrew McCartan, AD – Leisure, Libraries and Engagement provided the committee with an update on the development of the future Sport and Physical Activity Strategy for Wirral Leisure Services (formerly Leisure Strategy).

 

The report advised that In November 2020, the Council’s Tourism, Communities, Culture and Leisure Committee (TCCL) approved the new outline Sport and Physical Activity Strategy, which gave approval for officers to commence engagement with residents, communities, and other stakeholders to design and deliver a fit-for-purpose and sustainable service and included the strategy within the Committee’s ongoing work programme.

 

The report informed that the key focus of the strategy was to set out the priorities for sport and leisure facilities, services and activities and sought to redress the balance between being a provider of facilities and tackling inequality through preventative, outreach, and early intervention work. Members heard how there is not statutory requirement to have a Sport and Physical Activity Strategy, but it is seen as good practice to outline the council’s plan for leisure services for the period 2020-2025 based on the evidence base and emerging Covid-19 landscape.

 

The report set out the Government’s position regarding sport and detailed Sport England’s ten year strategy introduced in January 2021. Members were advised that the strategy aimed to transform lives and communities through sport and physical activity.

 

The report detailed the progress in Wirral and advised that following Committee approval, the Director of Neighbourhoods agreed that Sport England could commission Knight, Kavanagh & Page (KKP) to undertake a diagnostic assessment of the Sport England Strategic Outcomes Planning Guidance for Wirral Council. The report informed that Sport England produced its Strategic Outcomes Planning Guidance to assist local authorities to take a strategic approach to maximise the contribution that sport and physical activity makes within a given local area, and to ensure that any local investment is as effective as possible and sustainable in the long term. The report identified the following findings:

 

(1) The Council is in the process of developing/refining a coherent set of outcomes in relation to sport & physical activity’s contribution to health and well-being and the reduction of health inequalities underpinned by good levels of cross directorate buy-in. This emerging position appears to be gathering momentum.

 

(2) The Council’s insight (in certain areas of the Council) is well developed, particularly in respect of its built and outdoor facilities evidence base. The development of the Sport and Physical Activity Strategy (2020) had added further momentum to this process. Its community-level research into the needs and wants of residents, and specifically what interventions may influence a change in behaviour will require further attention (as identified in the Sport and Physical Activity Strategy), both in respect of its facility offer and wider outreach plans.

 

(3) Confirmation that the Council is moving away from its former silo-based approach to a much more collaborative cross-departmental approach to delivering services.

 

(4) There was recognition that Senior Officers and Council Elected Members are determined to reduce  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

31.

COVID-19 Response Update pdf icon PDF 148 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A report by the Director of Public Health, presented by Elsbeth Anwar, AD-Public Health provided the Committee with an update on surveillance date and key areas of development in relation to Wirral’s Covid-19 response and delivery of the Local Outbreak Management Plan.

 

Members were advised that the Borough remain to have a widespread community transmission of covid-19 cases, but there has been a decrease in numbers from the week before. The Assistant Director informed that 83.1% of the eligible population in Wirral have now have their first dose of the vaccination and there has been a variation in the uptake of the vaccine. The vaccine has weakened between transmission and deaths but hospital admissions remain high.

 

Members welcomed the report and commented about the positive feedback that had been received by local residents of the support from public health.

 

Resolved – That the report be noted.

 

32.

COMMITTEE WORK PROGRAMME pdf icon PDF 83 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Vicki Shaw, Head of Legal Services introduced the report of the Director of Care and Health which provided the committee with an opportunity to plan and review its work across the municipal year.

 

Resolved – That the work programme be noted.