The Chair added this item as urgent business as the decision was required before the next scheduled meeting of the Committee. It was to consider feedback from the private Budget Workshops held since the last meeting and to consider which of the options.

Graham Hodkinson, Director of Adults, Health and Strategic Commissioning, explained the context of the budget process, explaining that the Council was under considerable budget pressure as a result of the pandemic and was seeking ways to reduce debt and costs with the aim to get the budget balanced within five years.

Councillor Kate Cannon moved the following Motion, seconded by Councillor Samantha Frost:

Adult Care and Health Committee wishes to protect services where a reduction in budget would lead to more costly demand pressures occurring subsequently.

Adult Care and Health Services will contribute significantly to savings over the next 5yrs by aspiring to delivering it’s services efficiently, to a high standard and in a way that ensures people can be independent for as long as possible.

Committee has considered all of the options and wishes to proceed with;

Budget Option 2- £500,00 saving from Wirral Evolutions

Budget Option 3- Strength based assessments as well as all of the in year savings to be re-profiled into 21/22

For the reasons stated above, them being that cuts impacting on the quality of services will lead to greater costs in future years.

We therefore reject;

Budget Option 1- Rationalising contracts to the voluntary community and faith sector.

Budget option 4- Discontinuing paying the real living wage fee rate to care providers.

Budget option 5- Reduction of NHS care providers- Social care contracts.

Budget option 6- Adult social care staffing reduction

Budget option 7- Public Health staffing reduction.

Members debated this Motion, how it affected partnership working and suggested internal processes around contracts be reviewed too.

Councillor Phil Gilchrist move an amendment, Seconded by Councillor Mary Jordan:

committee believes steps should be taken that will ensure a more effective operation of the shared aids and adaptation services with a view to a co-ordinated and improved services.

Councillor Kate Cannon accepted the amendment.

Resolved: That

(1)  Adult Care and Health Committee wishes to protect services where a reduction in budget would lead to more costly demand pressures occurring subsequently.

(2)  Adult Care and Health Services will contribute significantly to savings over the next 5yrs by aspiring to delivering it’s services efficiently, to a high standard and in a way that ensures people can be independent for as long as possible.

(3)  Committee has considered all of the options and wishes to proceed with;

Budget Option 2- £500,00 saving from Wirral Evolutions

Budget Option 3- Strength based assessments as well as all of the in-year savings to be re-profiled into 21/22

For the reasons stated above, them being that cuts impacting on the quality of services will lead to greater costs in future years.

(4)  We therefore reject;

Budget Option 1- Rationalising contracts to the voluntary community and faith sector.

Budget option 4- Discontinuing paying the real living wage fee rate to care providers.

Budget option 5- Reduction of NHS care providers- Social care contracts.

Budget option 6- Adult social care staffing reduction

Budget option 7- Public Health staffing reduction.

(5)  Committee believes steps should be taken that will ensure a more effective operation of the shared aids and adaptation services with a view to a co-ordinated and improved services.