Issue - meetings

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People)

The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People), which sought approval to extend the existing Section 75 Partnership Agreement with Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust (CWPT) for the delivery of integrated mental health services.

The Council entered into a Section 75 agreement on 1^st April 2014 following Cabinet Member approval, initially for a three year period, but with provision for annual extensions (Cabinet Member Health and Adult Services minute 25/13 refers).  The report set out proposals for the first extension of this agreement.

The Section 75 Partnership Agreement provided the legal framework to underpin joint working in Adult and Older People's Mental Health Services.  Under this framework, joint Health and Social Care teams delivered mental health services from a single line management structure led by Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust with designated Council staff seconded, and the delegation of specific social care duties.  Although the service delivery elements were integrated, the financial responsibilities for health and social care remained separate with this separation to continue under the proposed extended agreement.

Coventry City Council, Warwickshire County Council and CWPT were committed to integrated working practices and considered the S75 agreement to continue to provide a suitable vehicle to deliver this.  An extension was proposed but it was recognised that more fundamental changes may be required in years to come.  The service remained committed to integrated working practices, recognised the positive impact of this in relation to interventions and outcomes that the agreement supported.

In recommending the extension, some changes had been made to the Section 75 Agreement to improve governance arrangements, safeguarding protocols and systems and processes.  The extension was to be agreed by the CWPT Board in April 2017 but in doing so the agreement of Coventry City Council and Warwickshire County Council was required.

The Cabinet Member discussed extending the agreement and performance management with officers.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member for Adult Services:-

1.  Retrospectively approve Coventry City Council renewing the partnership arrangement to provide Integrated Health and Social Care Secondary Mental Health Care Services in the refreshed 12 month Section 75 Partnership Agreement commencing 1^st April 2017.

2.  Delegate the responsibility to the Director of Adult Services for further annual extensions and the implementation of any further changes and amendments to schedules of the Section 75 Partnership Agreement, as required to ensure continued operational effectiveness.

Report of the Executive Director for People

The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Executive Director for People which sought approval of the Adult Social Care Annual Report 2015/16 (Local Account).  The report described the performance of Adult Social Care and the progress made against the priorities for the year and specifically considered the impact of the Care Act 2014 on operational activities to support service users and carers.  The report had been considered at the Health and Social Care Scrutiny Board (5) on 5^th October, 2016 (their minute 26/16 refers).

Although there was not a statutory requirement to produce an annual report, it was considered good practice as it provided an opportunity to be open and transparent about the successes and challenges facing Adult Social Care.  It also showed what was being done to improve outcomes for those that come into contact with Adult Social Care.  The production of an annual report was part of the Local Government Associations (LGA) approach to Sector Led Improvement, launched in 2011.  This approach was launched following the removal of national targets and assessments for Adult Social Care. 

The production of the 2015/16 report was based on feedback and information that was gathered over the year from a range of sources including Healthwatch Coventry, Partnership Boards, providers and people that had been in contact with Adult Social Care.  Additionally the feedback on readability and content from previous years had been noted and as a result the 2015/16 Annual Report was once again shorter than in previous years. 

The Cabinet Member and Shadow Cabinet Member questioned officers on aspects of the report including:

·  Clarification of interpretation of the data

·  More people in need of care

·  Assessment of carers

·  Housing with Care

·  Working with Health Partners

·  Budget challenges and reduction in funding and publicity

·  Enabling people to be independent for as long as possible

·  Charities and community groups

·  Carers Strategy

·  Format of the report

·  Consideration at Scrutiny

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member for Adult Services

1.  Consider comments from the Health and Social Care Scrutiny Board (SB5)

2.  Approve the Adult Social Care Annual Report 2015/16 (Local Account)

3.  Request an annual Adult Social Care Report (Local Account) continue to be considered by the Cabinet Member