Agenda and minutes

Councillor Earl’s attendance was missing on the 12 December 2024 minutes, noted.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 12 December 2024 be confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

There were no declarations of interest raised, noted.

The Chair of the Teeswide Safeguarding Adults Board (TSAB) presented the boards 2023-24 annual report.  The board covers Redcar, Middlesbrough, Stockon and Hartlepool Local Authorities and is bound by the Care Act 2014 to have a three-year strategic plan and report upon in annually.  The report includes updates on independent Safeguarding Adults Reviews (SARs) commissioned by the Board where it felt there were learning opportunities to prevent future reoccurrence of abuse or neglect. The report also provided an update on the progress made against the recommendations of already published reviews.

The Chair of TSAB presented the following highlights to the Committee:

·       Key achievements over the past year.

·       Safeguarding Data noting there were 7758 safeguarding concerns, an 11% increase on the previous year and 3235 section 42 enquiries, an 11% decrease on the previous year.

·       Neglect and acts of omission were the highest reported types of risks.

·       26% of safeguarding concerns were raised in/or about care homes.

·       53% of section 42 enquires related to adults aged 65 or over and 61% of section 42 enquiries related to females.

·       Examples of ways the Board communicated to residents were given.

·       Multi-agency training is also offered by the board.

As part of the ensuing discussion the following questions/comments were made:

·       Members sought clarification regarding how the objectives were measured to check if they had been achieved.  Officers advised that the objectives are reviewed yearly, and the 24 partners are included in the audit process.  Audits are undertaken throughout the year and reported back to the board every 3 months.

·       Members queried what executive powers the Board could utilise.  Members were advised that the Board has executive powers regarding SARs and to ensure organisations and bodies are involved and engaged in its work.  The Board must ensure Local Authorities are briefed of its work and it will be called to participate in CQC Inspections.

·       Members questioned why there was a lack of resident’s voice included within the report.  Members were advised it was a Teeswide report therefore use of data was more widely used as a local comparator and including residents voice could substantially lengthen the report.  It was suggested that RCBC Adults Safeguarding Annual Report could include more information regarding voice of Redcar and Cleveland residents.

·       Members noted the rise in incidents involving SEN and Autism residents and asked what support was available to those residents.  Members were advised that work is being undertaken to ensure the agencies which support residents with SEN and Autism are working together more to ensure consistent messages are given.  The Board are working on future commissioning options to ensure contracts are fit for purpose to offer a holistic support approach.

It was RECOMMENDED that:

1.     The information presented be noted; and

2.     The RCBC Adults Safeguarding Annual Report include more information on the resident’s voice.

Would Members please bring their copy of the Cabinet Workbook with them to the meeting (these papers will follow)

The Director of Public Health South Tees presented the Public Health South Tees Service Plan which contributes to the delivery of the Health and Wellbeing Boards (HWB) Strategic Plan which ensures public health grant funding is spent inline with the strategic plan and local public health priorities.

As part of the ensuing discussion, the following questions/comments were asked made:

·       Members questioned if public health is getting ‘better’ overall.  Members were advised that since covid and national austerity measures, Redcar and Cleveland residents have been significantly affected by funding costs and reduction of resources.  The majority of outcomes for residents have deteriorated compared to national figures.  Key areas of focus going forward included promotion of physical activity throughout the day and making small but positive choices such as taking the stairs rather than a lift.

·       Members queried if changes to the way public health is delivered had contributed to the deterioration of Redcar and Cleveland resident’s outcomes and had the number of fast-food shops opened in contradiction to the Councils Local Plan harmed aspirations for a healthier borough.  Members were advised that since public health was embedded within the local authority, partnership working was more effective because the wider social determinants of health were the Local Authorities remit which supports a more holistic approach to problem solving.  Members were further informed that national planning policy framework stated fast-food shops would not be permitted in close proximity to schools, however the number of home delivery services had increased significantly, therefore proximity was no longer a barrier or deterrent for access.

·       Members queried the delays for women to book a cervical screening appointment, due to lack of available appointments and questions if the portable hubs/buses could be a solution to reduction in waiting times.  Members were advised that the sexual health service across tees is within tender for a new service provider, and updates would be presented at a future scrutiny meeting.

It was RECOMMENDED that:

1.     The information in the presentation be noted; and

2.     Sexual Health commissioning and cervical screening waiting lists be presented at a future scrutiny.

The Property Manager presented a proposal to inform future maintenance responsibilities of defibrillators installed in and around council operated properties and council assets, leased to a third party.  The proposal included moving defibrillators from inside council buildings to the outside of the building to allow 24-hour access, the relocation of some defibrillators to ensure a wider access across the borough, ensuring all defibrillators are powered by mains supplies and are registered with NHS England, this includes registration with the British Heart Foundation for residents and visitors to access online to find the closest defibrillator.  Finally, all maintenance would be included within Council regular maintenance cycles. 

As part of the ensuing discussion the following questions/comments were made:

·       Members noted the positive approach of the proposal with regards to council owned and third party owned properties, ensuring the council or third party take ownership and responsibility of those defibrillators within the borough.

·       A Member queried if a resident needed to call 999, would they be directed to the nearest defibrillator, because in an emergency situation remembering which website to look at for registered defibrillators would be difficult.  Members were informed that all 999 services have access to the national NHS register for defibrillators and would direct a resident or visitor to the nearest registered defibrillator.

·       Members asked if data collation to capture usage would be made available.  Members were advised that the data can be accessed and reported back.

·       Members noted that some defibrillators within their wards are not registered online.  Members were advised that registration of all defibrillators was an ongoing process and were welcomed to report back any additionally known defibrillators within their wards to ensure they are all registered and added to the regular maintenance programme.  Members were informed that going forward any defibrillators attached to private landlord buildings/premises would be the responsibility of the private landlord to register and maintain the defibrillator.  The Council Property Management Team would continue to capture any additional volunteer organisations wishing to attach a defibrillator to a council building and include it within the maintenance programme.

It was RECOMMENDED that the proposal be noted.

The Executive Director for Adults and Communities presented the Local Government Associations (LGAs) National Benchmarking Analysis for Adult Social Care Use of resources Single LA View Report 2023/24.  It was noted that the data comparatives are an invaluable tool in helping to understand performance and assist in making data informed decisions, however, the following should be noted:

·       Achieving consistent data recording is almost impossible, so there is a danger of comparing ‘apples with pears’.

·       No single indicator can give a complete picture of performance.

·       There is a need to be careful how results are interpretated. For example, low spend could mean great efficiency or could mean poor or inadequate service offer.

·       There are a multitude of external factors that can affect cost / volume in any one locality.

·       The data is a starting point for assessing performance not the end point.

Areas highlighted within the data included:

·       Redcar and Cleveland has an aging population which is higher than the national average and 28% higher comparatively to Teesside.

·       Fewer people are in receipt of adult social care support compared to the previous data period.

·       Close to 1000 adults receive long-term support and are at a working age compared to over 2000 adults in receipt of long-term support who are 65 years old plus.

·       Redcar ad Cleveland Council support fewer adults comparatively however they are supported at a higher rate due to their complex needs.

·       Although Redcar and Cleveland’s population is aging, the Council is managing demand.

As part of the ensuing discussion the following comments/questions were made:

·       Members questioned how realistic or helpful was the comparative data due to vastly different demographics of neighbouring Local Authorities.  Members were advised that no comparative data would be perfectly aligned, however comparisons with nearby Local Authorities does allow other factors such as public health comparisons to be made because of NHS overarching services.

·       Members queried if fewer adults are requiring support does this equate to the profile of residents getting healthier and living longer.  Members were advised that data analysis indicates adults who received support did so for a shorter period of time, for example to receive a piece of equipment for the home, and no longer required additional financial support.

·       Members queried whether the Council is paying sufficiently for adult care if it is below the England threshold for spending.  Members were advised that care costs in the North East are lower comparatively, however the Directorate are mindful that the national living wage is due to rise between 7-8% next year, which will increase all care costs.

It was RECOMMENDED that the information in the presentation be noted.

The Director of Public Health South Tees, and the Advanced Public Health Practitioners for Healthy Weight presented a Healthy Weight Declaration update.

The National Child Measurement Programme where current Year 6 Primary School children who were weighed at the start and end of their Primary School career were sent the results of the analysis to parents in a letter.  In June 2024 parents were surveyed and 77% stated they would like to receive this information pertaining to their child.  Letters include additional information and links to helpful websites to support parents with a healthy lifestyle for their child and family.

Areas highlighted in the presentation included:

·       The Free School Meals (FSM) initiative to pre-enrol all eligible children captured an additional 319 children which equated to £400,000 additional funding going into schools from September 2024.

·       The National development Plan stipulates fast food outlets cannot be granted in close proximity to schools or areas where young people would congregate.

·       The National Child Measurement Programme was a statutory function for Public Health to undertake, however the language used to promote a healthier lifestyle will change to focus more on healthier environments and healthier choices, rather than weight.

As part of the ensuing discussion the following comments/questions were made:

·       Members agreed that the promotion of healthier lifestyles and healthier life choices was important for both the physical and mental health of residents, however, the reduction of green spaces and access to free leisure activities was a barrier to many residents accessing a healthier lifestyle.  Members were advised that this initiative is to support residents to make smaller choices, and lifestyle changes every day for example, snacking on fruit rather than biscuits, taking their stairs rather than the lift and going for a brisk walk every day, even if it is just 10 minutes.  Lots of small positive changes could dramatically improve a person’s health and life outcomes, at little or no additional cost.

·       Members questioned the timeframe of the national healthy weight declarations and if improvement shad been made to resident’s outcomes as a direct result.  Members were advised it is a national statutory surveillance programme, not a healthy weight programme and public health were not mandated to report back to parents, however it was felt important to do so to ensure parents are informed of their child’s progress.  There is however additional information included within the letters parents receive to support with healthier lifestyle choices.

·       Members queried the powers councils have to enforce fines of fast-food outlets with poor hygiene standards or littering overflowing into the streets.  Members were advised that the Healthy Weigh Declaration Team work closely with the Local Authority and other providers to emphasise the detrimental effects of fast-food outlets if consumed frequently by young people.  Links are in place to promote healthy lifestyle choices in schools including discussion with voluntary organisations to promote growing your own fruit and vegetables.

It was RECOMMENDED that the information within the report be noted.

Members were informed that the Redcar Integrated Care Centre experienced delays over the new year therefore delivery of the scanners had been delayed due to adverse weather conditions.  They have been rescheduled and should be complete and in working order by the end of March 2025.

It was RECOMMENDED the update be noted.

The Primary Care Co-Ordinator (PCN) presented an update on Primary Care Outreach work.  The role was commissioned by the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) linking in with the South Tees Carers Strategy.  The remit of the role is to promote and support NHS Quality Care Markers with GP practices and Primary Care Networks to identify and support unpaid carers.  The role included networking, raising awareness, collaboration with Local Authorities, NHS Services and providing training and awareness sessions.

As part of the ensuing discussion the following questions/comments were made:

·       Members were informed that NHS and GPS practices would code a patient’s notes to denote that are a carer which would be a marker to open up discussions regarding support services available to them and to help plan forward for possible services they might require to support their caring needs.

·       The service was initially funded for a three-year programme and has since been extended for an additional year.

·       Members asked if carers are offered different support depending on if they are a short term or long-term carer.  Members were advised that a carer is a carer regardless of the timescale of their caring responsibility and would therefore be able to access and would be provided the same levels of support from specialists.

·       Members queried if carers who are not in receipt of carers allowance could access discount schemes and what other incentives are available to them.  Members were advised that Carers Together have a Carers Card but it cannot access many discounts, this was a work in progress.  We Care You Care is a useful website for carers and providers with access to a weekly bulletin.  The Carers Leave Act allows 5 days unpaid leave for carer responsibilities, such as taking the person they care for to appointments without using annual leave allowance.  Carers Together and other providers are lobbying government for 10 days paid leave for carers.

·       The Care Quality Commission (CQC) developed a Quality markers for general practice to help general practices demonstrate how effective they are in recognising and supporting carers.  This is a positive step forward whereby GPs will have to evidence how they meet these recommendations.

It was RECOMMEDED that the information in the presentation be noted.

Members attention was drawn to the work programme noting the 2025-26 work programme would soon be devised and presented to Members for approval.  Members were asked to consider any items they wanted to be presented at a future scrutiny.

HPV Vaccination programme update was requested to be included within the work programme, with a specific update regarding missed vaccinations and proposals for catch up sessions with schools or GP surgeries.

It was RECOMMENDED that:

1.     The information in the work programme be noted; and

2.     Members to feedback any items to be included within the work programme to the Democratic Services and Scrutiny Officer.

3.     HPV Vaccination programme update be added to the work programme.

Members were invited to give updates from outside body meetings they attended, and the following updates were made:

·       Councillor Ovens gave an update from the Fire Authority Meeting noting financial difficulties and partnership working with North Yorkshire Fire Authority.

·       Councillor ovens gave an update from the Alms Houses Meeting noting a 119% increase for services to be on call.

·       Councillor Cawley gave an update from Tees Valley Joint Health Scrutiny Improvement Committee regarding an update from Tees, Esk and Wear Valley (TEWV) Authority who urged Local Authorities to review transitional arrangements for Children into Adults services.  Councillor Cawley informed TEWV Redcar Council has commenced this work through a Task and Finish Group.

It was RECOMMENDED that the information in the updates be noted.

Members attention was drawn to the Action Log noting the majority of items were complete and corresponding information was circulated to members prior to the committee meeting.

It was RECOMMENDED that:

1.     Information in the update be noted; and

2.     Completed items in the action log be removed.

There were no items that the Chair deemed urgent, noted.