Kay Goodacre, Corporate Finance Officer, presented the report that summarised the main changes to the Medium Term Financial Strategy for the period 2017/18 through to 2019/20 and the governance structure for the Council Spending Review and Transformation Programme, including the budget planning table enabling agreement of the budget in February 2017.

The report updated the committee on the proposals currently being considered and how this would affect budgets with the assumption that an increase of 3.99 per cent be made to the council tax each year, which included the 2 per cent adult social care precept.

The Officer briefed members on the strategy to close the budget gap which had been set out in the Medium Term Financial Strategy and would focus on 3 key areas:

•           Income generation – increases to the Council’s commercial trading base.

•           Achieving more/same for less – further transformational projects and contract reviews.

•           Demand management/early intervention – example given included the Area Co-ordinators and Community Hubs.

Roger Harris informed Members the specifically items that related to the position in adult social care which had recently attracted some national media coverage and highlighted the problems such as the increase in costs and demand. Roger Harris briefly covered the range of pressures facing the adult social care budget but stated that the numbers into adult social care had stabilised but the unit costs had increased due to complex health needs.

The measures put in place to control the costs and manage the demand where covered by Roger Harris but stated that the position going forward that the social care sector across the board are facing a difficult budget position next year and briefed Members on the short, medium and long term solutions.

Councillor Fish asked what the impact of the savings would be on those individuals on a care plan. Roger Harris stated that each individual care plan would need to be drilled down to establish any savings that could be made as placement circumstances may change. Any changes to a care plan would be driven by the individual care needs which would be the statutory duty of the council as care needs do change.

Councillor Fish asked if the service re-design was being done in co-production. Roger Harris stated that yes this was and was looking at successful models such as the Thurrock Lifestyle Solutions which had been done using the co-production method.

Councillor Fish asked would only those people with critical needs receive the funded packages. Roger Harris stated that there was now a national eligible criteria and would still be based on an individual’s care needs.

The Chair asked how the reassessment process was being undertaken and to ensure that individuals were getting the care required rather than making individuals more anxious with unnecessary checks. Roger Harris stated that these checks would be undertaken on a one to one basis based on individual needs and as part of an annual review.

Councillor Collins asked Officers to explain Micro Enterprise. Roger Harris stated that this was a project that was doing very well that identified small businesses to delivery social care in Thurrock.

Ian Evans asked Officers whether a consultation process would be undertaken for the reviewing of voluntary sector grants and any other significant changes. Roger Harris stated that this would be a Members decision but any proposals would be a statutory requirement and require a formal public consultation.

Councillor Snell agreed with Councillor Collins on the good work undertaken by the Micro Enterprises.

Councillor Snell asked Officers whether the introduction of Local Area Co-ordinators (LAC) had saved the Council money. Roger Harris stated that was a difficult question to answer and was currently in discussions with Les Billingham, but it was evident that having LACs had diverted work away into different areas and that there was a wealth of evidence from residents such as case studies and testaments.

Ian Wake agreed that it was difficult to scientifically prove but there was substantial evidence to say that it was working. Ian Wake stated that he will be working off site with Les Billingham and Ceri Armstrong to look into what methodology could be used

Councillor Fish stated that he volunteered at the Tilbury Hub and what a fantastic job the team did to enhance the quality of life for residents.

RESOLVED

1.         That the Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the revised Medium Term Financial Strategy position and the Council Spending Review approach and timetable.

2.         That the Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee comment on the proposals currently being considered within the remit of this committee.

Kay Goodacre left the committee room at 8.05pm.