Council and democracy

Agenda item

Adult Social Care - Budget Review and Service Reductions

Minutes:

The Director of Adults, Health and Commissioning introduced the report which highlighted a series of Council budget savings which were no longer deliverable and required all directorates to make additional in-year savings. The report looked at how these savings will be realised and what areas will require consultation.

 

The Officer stated that the directorate’s contribution to the Council’s in-year savings target is £500,000 – to be delivered this year.

 

The Officer talked Members through the list of proposals to deliver the £500,000 savings. Four savings proposals will be subject to consultation which will commence on 1 August and will run for 8 weeks working with the Thurrock Coalition. Other savings will be implemented immediately by management action to ensure the figure is delivered this year.

 

The Thurrock Coalition representative agreed that the appendices will have a major impact and cause emotional distress to residents.

 

Councillor Gupta asked the Officer if any analysis on the management structure had been undertaken. The Officer confirmed that there is evidence that the management structure is not top heavy, that there is a right balance for the service delivery and that the structure is continually looked at.  In fact manager workload had increased significantly including new duties and responsibilities.

 

The Officer also stated that credit was due to his team for implementing the Care Act and that Service Users will see these impacts over some time.

 

Thurrock HealthWatch Representative asked the Officer to consider changing the consultation period of 8 weeks to 12 weeks as it currently states in the Compact.

 

The Officer confirmed that he is happy for this to be changed but stated that savings may not be fully delivered this year if this time is extended and that further saving opportunities would have to be identified in addition to those detailed in the paper. The Officer will finalise the document and share the consultation paper in mid to late August.

 

The Chair suspended standing orders at 9.15pm. All members agreed to continue.

 

Mandy Ansell, (Acting) Interim Accountable Officer of Thurrock CCG stated that the cuts would most definitely put further pressure on NHS services, with more people going to A&E. She appealed that the cuts be made elsewhere that did not directly impact on the most vulnerable people.

 

Councillor Rice stated to the committee that there was no easy option. A 25% reduction in adult social care already had staff working over and above and it is now time to listen to the consultations and look at undertaking services differently.

 

Councillor Cherry asked for some examples of the items of equipment up to the value of £50. The Officer stated that they were preventative measures such as raised toilet seats or towel rails. These items will be part of the consultation. The Officer also confirmed that residents who have difficulties installing such items could use the services handy man or work with the local community to do tasks. Councillor Cherry supported this.

 

The Committee agreed that the Meals on Wheels Paper item be referred back to the Committee in October 2015 for review.

 

The Committee agreed that the Budget Review and Service Reduction item be referred back to the Committee in December 2015 for review.

 

 

RESOLVED

 

1.         That the contents of the report were considered and comments on the proposed budget reductions as part of the wider consultation exercise were noted.

 

2.         That a change to the consultation period from 8 to 12 weeks on the Proposal for Consultation Paper be made.

 

3.         That the item Meals on Wheels be added to the work programme for October 2015.

4.         That the item Budget Review and Service Reduction be added to the work programme for December 2015.

 

Councillor Gupta left the meeting at 9.30pm.

 

Supporting documents: