Agenda item

This report presents the Council’s Organisational Plan 2019/20 to the Select Committee for consideration and feedback as part of the Council’s operational planning and budget development process.

The[MD1]  Director for Partnership & Corporate Services introduced this report to the Select Committee. He explained that the Organisational Plan forms an important part of Bath and North East Somerset Council’s strategic planning framework.

He stated that it was well recognised that a high percentage of the Council’s budget is used within Adult Care, Health and Wellbeing

He said that the plan outlines the draft budget savings proposals where appropriate, which will be proposed as part of the budget setting process for the Council 2019 – 20 budgets which will be considered by the Cabinet and Council at their meetings in February.

He explained that the Organisational Plan for the first time introduces the Council’s new Core Service Offer and its 3 new priorities. He added that a core services offer is the best service offer we can deliver based on the resources currently available to us.

The Corporate Director added that the majority of figures within appendix 2 were contained within the previous year’s budget.

Councillor Charles Gerrish, Cabinet Member for Finance and Efficiency commented that although savings have been identified, the Adult Care budget was due to increase by £4.1m due to demand / demographic pressure.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson said that she appreciated the budget parameters the Council were working within and asked for further information regarding the review all social care packages and the possibility of in-house care provision.

The Acting Director for Integrated Health and Care Commissioning replied that positive negotiations had taken place with regard to care packages.

Councillor Jackson asked if there was adequate support in place to enable residents to live longer in the community.

The Acting Director for Integrated Health and Care Commissioning replied that one of the Council’s aims is to reduce the numbers of people placed in care homes and to support residents to stay at home / use the reablement service.

Councillor Jackson asked if there were enough care places available within the Council.

The Acting Director for Integrated Health and Care Commissioning replied that a review of home care services was ongoing.

Councillor Jackson commented that she would like to see communications to the public improve, primarily the elderly.

The Acting Director for Integrated Health and Care Commissioning replied that they were working on this issue with Virgin Care and that a process was beginning that would see a number of Care Navigators in place to assist with communications to the public.

The Corporate Director added that a great deal of information was available on the Wellbeing Options website (http://www.wellbeingoptions.co.uk/). He said that the site provides information about local care providers, services and activities, along with links to other useful websites and resources.

The Director for Partnership & Corporate Services said that recently there had been an increased involvement from the voluntary sector, including a group called Compassionate Communities B&NES.

Councillor Jackson asked if the Council had considered lending money to small family run residential homes for them to make adaptions / enhance their site provision.

Councillor Gerrish replied that the Council is not a bank and said that the likelihood would be that the proposal would be an expensive process for both parties.

Councillor Tim Ball referred to page 72 and asked if it were possible to squeeze more out of residential and nursing recommission.

The Acting Director for Integrated Health and Care Commissioning replied will look to ensure consistency and equity in care home fees by implementing a new commissioning and contracting model.

Councillor Ball asked how savings would be achieved with regard to Adult Mental Health.

The Acting Director for Integrated Health and Care Commissioning replied that Mental Health Pathway Review was ongoing and that this was intended to put the best services in place for the individuals concerned.

Councillor Ball commented that he feared some care homes may close due to the new fees arrangements and that this could cost the Council more if the service ceases.

The Corporate Director replied that the process has been carried out in the best interests of the Council.

Councillor Vic Pritchard stated that the Council are normally unaware of a care home’s financial circumstances until the 11^th hour, sometimes merely a month’s warning. He added that the intention is now for the Council to work far more closely with care homes and to have more of a dialogue regarding their finances.

Councillor Lin Patterson asked if more information could be provided on Compassionate Communities B&NES.

The Director for Partnership & Corporate Services replied that it has been setup by the 3^rd sector and has received support from the Council and Virgin Care, but was not commissioned or funded by the Council. He added that one of their intentions is to be a focal point for receiving and disseminating strategic information. He said that further information could be found on their website (www.3sg.org.uk).

Councillor Jackson said that it was a little ironic given the earlier Public Health presentation that they are being asked to do more work with less resources.

Councillor Pritchard replied by saying that the preventative agenda was a significant factor for the Council to consider as it moves forward.

The Corporate Director added that the Public Health budget has been reduced nationally.

Dr Bruce Laurence said that support for the team is welcome and that he feels that the Council is doing its best with what it has available.

The Chair thanked the Select Committee for their comments and said that their feedback would be given to the Resources PDS Panel on the 4th February to allow them to collate all PDS Panel responses to the Cabinet and Council.