There were no declarations of interest reported at the meeting.

Submitted – The Minutes (previously circulated) of this Scrutiny Committee held on 22 October 2019.

RESOLVED - That the Minutes of the meeting of this Scrutiny Committee held on 22 October 2019 be approved as a correct record.

Report of the Director of Children and Adults Services

The Director of Children and Adults Services submitted a report (previously circulated) to update Members on the 2019/20 Darlington Better Care Fund Plan submission, and of Better Care Fund plans beyond the current period.

The submitted report stated that the Better Care Fund (BCF) was a programme spanning both the NHS and Local Government, which sought to join up health and care services so that people can manage their own health and well-being and live independently within their communities for as long as possible. Members were informed that the Fund brings together ring-fenced budgets from Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) allocations, and funding paid directly to Local Government, and that the 2019/20 plan was based on seven broad workstreams to support the delivery of the BCF priorities.

The submitted report advised that the planning guidance for the 2019/20 submission was published on 18 July 2019, with a final submission date of 27 September 2019, following approval by local Health and Well-Being Boards, and that approval letters would be issued during December 2019, following regional scrutiny of all BCF plans.

Members entered into discussion on the strong performance in terms of delayed transfers of care, and the potential effect of winter pressures on discharge arrangements.   

RESOLVED – (a) That the submission of the 2019/20 plan and the expected timescales for approval, be noted.

(b) That the current position in respect of the BCF for 2020/21, be noted.

Report of the Assistant Director - Adults Services

The Assistant Director (Adult Services) submitted a report (previously circulated) which provided Members with performance information against key performance indicators for 2019/20 at Quarter 2.

The submitted report outlined the twelve indicators monitored by the Adults Scrutiny Committee, ten on a six-monthly basis, and two annually. The submitted report stated that, of the ten indicators reported on a six-monthly basis, four indicators demonstrated an improved performance compared to the same point last year; three indicators showed a performance not as good as that recorded at the same time last year, however are still on track to achieve service targets set; and that three indicators were not comparable, and were reviewed at a point in time.

Members highlighted and challenged several variables within the performance data and heard that some of these variables were due to seasonal pressures or counting issues, however Members were reassured that it was normal to see some fluctuations as a result of individual choices, or as a result of the comparatively small size of a specific data set.

Members were satisfied that on the whole performance remained strong across the key performance indicators, and that the local authority compared favourably both regionally and nationally, though recognised that the focus should be on maintaining the current level of performance, and that any further improvements were likely to be marginal.

RESOLVED – That the performance information provided within the submitted report be noted.      

Report of the Managing Director

The Managing Director submitted a report requesting that Members gave consideration to the Work Programme items scheduled to be considered by this Scrutiny Committee during 2019/20, and to any additional areas that Members would like to be included.

Members noted a number of updates to the Work Programme and entered into discussion on the progress of the Support for Autism cross-party working group.

RESOLVED – (a) That the report be received.

(b) That Councillors Curry and A. J. Scott be nominated to represent this Committee on the Support for Autism cross-party working group.