Agenda item

A report by the Chief Executive and Director of Finance and Support Services setting out the corporate performance, finance, workforce, risk and capital programme positions as at the end of March 2022.

The Committee is asked to examine the data and supporting commentary for the Performance and Resources report and make any recommendations for action to the relevant Cabinet Member or Scrutiny Committee.

17.1        The Committee considered a report by the Director of Law and Assurance (copy appended to the signed minutes) which set out the Council’s reporting mechanism for corporate performance, finance, savings delivery and business performance relating to the Adult Services and Public Health and Wellbeing portfolio.

17.2        Summary of responses to committee members questions and comments: -

·      Adults’ Services

Ø  At the end of Quarter 4 2021-22, a number of the measures had finished the year with a green status.

Ø  Challenges to targets had been the unprecedented demand at the front door of the service, and the priority had remained to manage the impact of Covid-19 and the completion of reviews. 

Ø  It was explained that it was necessary to change the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) relating to safeguarding triage. This has been corrected with an improved triage process and the introduction of the safeguarding hub. The proposed measure better aligns with adults’ outcomes measures and can be benchmarked against other local authorities in the South East Association of Directors of Adults Social Services  group annually.

Ø  It was noted that the additional funding provided by outside grants was not a certainty in coming years.

Ø  Two indicators were highlighted to the committee, the KPI relating to people in employment required a better collection mechanism as at present it was not counting all cases, therefore a new system was being examined. The KPI relating to safeguarding was overperforming, and should not be marked as red.

Ø  It was explained that in relation to KPIs about workforce, that the Service was having to prioritise, and that there were other factors contributing to workforce challenges, such as the current economic climate.

Ø  In consideration of KPI 13 relating to the cost of care, it was explained that price pressures were concerning, and inflation did have an impact on this. It was confirmed that an update on this topic would be brought to the Committee in the Autumn.

Ø  In response to a query about the budget, it was explained that the workforce was moving away from this industry due to a number of factors, including levels of pay.

Ø  It was confirmed that the service was working closely with partners (including service users).

Ø  A concern was raised on the reporting response rate of domestic violence incidents, it was suggested that work was needed to be undertaken in order to increase this.

Ø  It was confirmed that the way reporting is undertaken in the future may change to reporting against the new Care Act, the Committee will be kept updated on this.

Ø  In regard to the mental health of the workforce, it was advised that the service was working with team managers to ensure staff were supported.

·      Public Health and Wellbeing

Ø  At the end of Quarter 4 2021-22, it was noted that all indicators were green.

Ø  The cost of living was a strand having a substantial impact.

Ø  It was advised that more detailed data relating to the breakdown by district/borough could be provided to the Committee

Ø  Regarding the collation of data relating to falls, it was confirmed that the Service was awaiting data for a more accurate picture.

Ø  It was confirmed that there was no clear reasoning as to why more young people were starting to smoke.

Ø  It was advised that work was being undertaken to ascertain if the flu vaccine could be combined with boosters for Covid-19.

Ø  Work was being undertaken to ensure the health needs of refugees were being supported in West Sussex.

Ø  Previous work by the Council relating to the obesity of young people was highlighted, and a request to revisit this work and its recommendations, alongside how it could be supported by other areas of the Council to ensure it is joined-up.

Ø  It was noted that work relating to health inequalities crossed all areas, and that this was an important subject to keep under consideration.

17.3        Resolved that –

i.       The Committee supports the change of indicator relating to safeguarding

ii.      The recent reports on safeguarding considered by the Health and Wellbeing board at its meeting on 7 July to be circulated to the Committee

iii.     The Service to consider how to present evidence to the Committee in future reporting on how it is engaging with the Council for Voluntary Services and service users

iv.     The Committee asks for work to be undertaken to increase the response rate of domestic violence incident reporting

v.     The Committee asks to be signposted to the Khan report on smoking

vi.    The Committee asks the Service to provide public health data broken down by district/borough where available; and

vii.    To revisit the work undertaken in previous years on obesity in young children, specifically the recommendations that were developed.