Agenda and minutes

1.    One typographical error was noted in minutes item 79 para 15 which should have read ‘Mr Burr’.

RESOLVED that subject to the above correction, the minutes were an accurate record of the meeting on 11 June and that they be signed by the Chairman. 

The Committee is asked to note the following dates for Scrutiny Committee meetings in 2016:

Tuesday 19 January 2pm

Tuesday 8 March 10am

Thursday 14 April 10am

Tuesday 7 June 10am

Wednesday 27 July 10am

Wednesday 21 September 2pm

Wednesday 9 November 10am

Thursday 15 December 10am

RESOLVED that the Committee note the following dates for Scrutiny Committee meetings in 2016:

Tuesday 19 January 2pm

Tuesday 8 March 10am

Thursday 14 April 10am

Tuesday 7 June 10am

Wednesday 27 July 10am

Wednesday 21 September 2pm

Wednesday 9 November 10am

Thursday 15 December 10am

RESOLVED that the Committee note the progress of the Select Committees on Corporate Parenting and Energy Security.

1.    Mr Gibbens, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care introduced this item explaining that it was a serious issue affecting Adult Social Care.  Many other authorities were also suggesting similar stresses on their Adult Social Care services as the demand for services increased and the budgets decreased.  The difficulties experienced in Kent were mirrored throughout the country.

2.    Mr Gibbens discussed the discharge rates in hospitals, there had been a spike in admissions to Accident and Emergency (A&E) units in Kent during Dec ’14 - Jan ’15 and this was an ongoing pressure on the service, there was exceptional demand on A&E services.  Kent’s Adult Social Care Service had been very successful in keeping elderly people at home, there was a focus on independence particularly as people were living longer. 

3.    It was necessary to look at doing things differently, in September Mr Gibbens had written to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury setting out the challenges on health and social care and the need to move forward with integration, there was an ongoing and increased focus on care in the community.

4.    The Service had also looked at innovative models of working, particularly to support carers.  Officers were working with NHS colleagues to support the process of integration.  The information contained within the agenda dated back to June 2015 and was therefore slightly out of date but still worthy of discussion. 

5.    Mr Ireland referred Members to the two performance indicators which had originally been of concern to members.  These were ‘Number of Promoting Independence Reviews completed’ and ‘Percentage of Delayed Discharges from hospital with Adult Social Care responsible’.  Both these indicators had improved however they both remained significant issues.  There was significant pressure on hospitals which were working at  99% occupancy level in September 2015, this was no longer a winter issue, it was affecting hospitals all year round.  Two acute trusts in Kent were in special measures and all trusts were seeing an increase in demand along with pressure to control the flow of people through hospitals, there were admission issues as well as discharge issues. 

6.    There was also a market issue, and the ability to meet the demand with adequate staff, resources were stretched.  The process of developing enablement services played a critical part.  In relation to Health and Social Care there was a huge workforce issue, increased use of agency doctors, nurses and social care professionals added to the financial pressures.  A combination of increased demand and a decreasing workforce meant it was crucial to manage the demand, through-put and increasing enablement and discharge protocols. 

7.    Mrs Tidmarsh set out some different approaches adopted by the service, some additional funding had been received last winter and the services was working on integrating health social care.  It was necessary to move away from traditional solutions towards different ways of working, increased working with the voluntary sector such as ‘Crossroads’.  Care Navigators were not in almost all of the hospital sites, they helped  ...  view the full minutes text for item 84.

That under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 5 of part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

EXEMPT ITEM

(During this item the meeting is likely NOT to be open to the press and public)

The Committee resolved that under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 2972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 5 of part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act. 

The Chairman introduced this item and explained that Mr Wood was present to explain to the Committee what actions were taken throughout the back office procurement process to provide the Committee with a good understanding of the work undertaken to ensure the process was effective, fair and in line with legal requirements and KCC’s own policies. 

Mr Watts was present to explain the general procurement from a legal perspective, including the standard methods for assessing and responding to legal issues of challenges. 

Mr Wood and Mr Watts explained the process to Members of the Committee before inviting questions and providing responses.

Mr King also updated Scrutiny Committee Members on the discussions had at Policy and Resources Cabinet Committee on 18 September. 

RESOLVED that the Scrutiny Committee thank Mr Wood and Mr Watts for their clear and eloquent presentations to Members, and thank Mr King for his excellent brief and clear summary of the discussion held previously by the Policy & Resources Cabinet Committee.  The Scrutiny Committee did not find any matters of concern when discussing the Procurement Decision.