Agenda and minutes

In response to a query it was confirmed that the answer to the questions raised at the meeting and highlighted within the minutes were circulated to Committee Members on 6 February and were also available on the Scrutiny Teams Channel. 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held 24 January 2024 were an accurate record and that they be signed by the Chairman.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 7 February 2024 were an accurate record and that they be signed by the Chairman.

1.    Mr Murphy gave an introduction to the Kent and Medway Economic Framework which was finalised in January following consultation with local stakeholders including all local District and Borough Councils.  The Framework set out high level priorities but was not a funded strategy.  The Framework would be overseen by the Kent and Medway Economic Partnership and KCC was now working with partners and stakeholders to develop an implementation plan to take forward key action areas set out within the Framework.

2.    Groups linked to the Kent and Medway Economic Partnership (KMEP) would take forward the implementation of the Framework with regular progress reviews being considered by KMEP. 

3.    Members asked questions in relation to the Kent and Medway Economic Framework, key issues raised by the Committee and responded to by the Cabinet Member and Officers included the following:

a.    In response to a question about the implementation plan, Mrs Holt-Castle explained that the Framework was a partnership strategy, and KMEP and its new subgroups would have a significant role in overseeing delivery of the Framework and the implementation plan. 

b.    It was noted that there was no financial envelope for the Framework, Mrs Holt-Castle confirmed that the KCC Economy Budget would support elements of the Framework, there was no new funding accompanying the Framework.  The Framework would support the KMEP to draw down funding from Government.   Following comments, it was confirmed that the Framework created no additional financial pressure on KCC, there was no additional funding nor any funding commitment.   

c.     A Member queried measurable targets within the Framework and Mr Samson confirmed that KMEP would be tasked with this, the Framework was high level and the action plans phase would include targets and measurable outcomes. 

d.    Members considered it vital to prioritise the development of apprenticeships and the Member asked for reassurance that links existed with the Children, Young People and Education (CYPE) Directorate in relation to this.  Mr Smith explained that the development of apprenticeships fell under the action areas identified by the Framework.  The local skills improvement plan, led by the Chamber of Commerce had started work on a plan to reform the current apprenticeship programme.  Both the CYPE and Growth, Economic Development and Communities (GEDC) Cabinet Committee would receive reports on this issue in the coming months. KCC ran a successful apprenticeship programme.  It was very important that both directorates worked together to enhance the apprenticeship opportunities for young people across Kent and Medway.   

e.    A Member commented on the recommendation to the Cabinet Member to delegate to the Director Growth and Communities to take any necessary actions, including but not limited to entering into contracts or other legal agreements as required to implement this decision Mrs Holt-Castle confirmed that all decision making would be made in accordance with the governance arrangements of the council as set out in the constitution. 

f.      In relation to risk and the consequences of partner authorities not being able to contribute resources as planned Mrs Holt-Castle confirmed that to date  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

1.    Mrs Cole, Deputy Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health (ASCH) introduced this item.  The three main areas raised through the consultation on the Making a Difference Every Day Strategy were:

a.    Support to remain independent.

b.    Spend money and funding appropriately.

c.     One consistent contact.

2.    Ms Sydney Hill gave a presentation to Members of the Committee which is available here:  Agenda for Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday, 28th February, 2024, 10.00 am (kent.gov.uk)

3.    In response to a question about engaging with communities which did not have full access to digital communication Mr Smith explained that the digital offer would never replace the need for face-to-face contact and access to telephone contact, it was vitally important to get the basics right. 

4.    In relation to a question about the growing number of people being referred with mental health issues Ms Hill explained there had been a significant impact, both post covid and secondary impacts on people’s mental health, it was one of the areas of continued growth in support services.       

5.    Mr Smith commented that the report back to Scrutiny was timely, the creation of community teams was a recognition of the feedback received, putting social workers back into the communities.  The next phase was to build on these teams. 

6.    KCC was working with NHS partners to ensure a better experience for individuals and investing in the enablement offer to ensure, where possible, people could return home.  In response to a comment about difficulties in contacting Adult Social Care by telephone Mr Smith recognised that response times were not where they wanted to be.  There was a national workforce problem which was reflected in Kent, however he recognised the commitment and time invested by the current staff in Adult Social Care.  Mr Watkins commented that he would review KCC’s website to ensure communication options for contacting ASCH were more prominent. 

7.    In response to a comment about how the Strategy was radical Mrs Cole explained that the Strategy supported people to connect to their communities and ensured the KCC was aware of the best and most appropriate support for people to enable them to remain living at home.  Mr Smith highlighted the legal aspects of ASCH and the responsibilities of the service which went alongside the person-centred care which had never truly been delivered and this Strategy involved people in decision making and had been co-designed and co-produced by those people who drew on the support of ASCH. 

8.    In relation to ASCH workforce Ms Hill explained that this was broad and included a range of staff, there was plans to address workforce gaps in the short, medium and long term whilst bearing in mind the aging workforce.  Recruitment campaigns aimed to attract people into Kent, this included a market premium for North Kent where there was competition from London.  There was an annual apprenticeship programme and ASCH was working closely with CYPE colleagues around recruitment campaigns for newly qualified social workers and with universities in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

1.    Mr Streatfeild introduced this item as he had requested it be placed on the Scrutiny Committee agenda.  Five contract extensions had been discussed recently at the Adult Social Care Committee, with extensions ranging from 1-3 years and a total value of £1.5billion.  The decisions came to Cabinet Committee only three months before they were required to be extended.  During the process Cabinet Committee Members noted that they would have liked to have had sight of the extensions and options available before the deadline for the Cabinet Member to make the decision.   Mr Watkins empathised with the frustrations of Members over the timings of these decisions but confirmed that this did not affect the ability to make proposed savings. 

2.    Mr Ellis endorsed the previous comments that this was not a position the Council wanted to be in, additional controls had been put in place to ensure this did not happen again.  Progress had been made in making the best use of the contracts in place, maximising the use of the framework providers and negotiating fees for non-framework providers. 

3.    A Member asked whether the cost of care review had been completed and how long it was expected that consultants would remain in this role?  Mr Watkins confirmed that the initial findings had been released and this information could be made available.  The consultants were from 31ten Consulting, and the costs would be confirmed outside of the meeting.   

4.    In relation to the savings targets and whether they had been factored into these extensions Mr Watkins explained that £13million of savings were required per year, these 5 contracts did not disadvantage KCC in making these savings, the additional transformation savings in ASCH related to the MADE Strategy. 

5.    Members emphasised the importance of the timing issues around these contract extensions and that being left with short notice must not be repeated.  Mr Ellis confirmed that work was starting on future contract renewals with the initial stage being engaging with the people relying on the services, stakeholders, then detailed design work and commissioning and procurement being the final stage, a more detailed timetable would be made available.  Mr Watkins confirmed that a new team had been established within ASCH to undertake strategic commissioning on a partnership-based procurement model.  This had resulted in changes to the way services were commissioned, in addition a contract database provided transparency and the ability to view all contracts.  

6.    There had been overspending within the contracts and there was concern that the savings targets would not be met.  Mr Watkins and Mr Ellis explained that savings would be made by moving services onto framework rates and having discussions with non-framework providers around what is required to gain contracts with KCC and that is:  quality and cost.  Mr Smith commented that the frameworks were demand driven and it was essential that commissioning and operational colleagues worked closely together in conjunction with NHS colleagues to reduce demand for contracts.  

7.    The Chairman confirmed that he would discuss with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

1.    The Scrutiny Research Officer confirmed that discussions would be held with the Chairman, Opposition Group Spokespeople and Adults Cabinet Committee Chairman to determine the most appropriate place for monitoring, but this would also be picked up with the Scrutiny Committee’s role in budget monitoring. 

2.    In response to a question from the Chairman around the one-year review of the SEND Sub-Committee the Scrutiny Research Officer confirmed that the Sub-Committee would review their Annual Report in March and this report would be submitted to the Scrutiny Committee in April. 

RESOLVED to note the work programme.