The Cabinet Member for Finance thanked the chair for an opportunity to say a few words on the October and December Cabinet meetings including £3million in revenue growth and proposed savings. The Cabinet Member said he believes the budget is robust reasonable and sustainable and welcomed questions from the Panel.

The Interim Executive Director for Finance and Digital gave an overview of the report, highlighting a gap of £4.3 million in 2023/2024 rising to £20.8 million. The council also benefitted from £1.4 million increase in the council tax base.

A panel member asked how council tax increases will affect savings to be considered. The Interim Executive Director for Finance and Digital said the additional council tax equates to £1.1million per 1% increase in council tax. Cabinet will consider further savings on 16^th January as there is still a have a budget gap, extra savings will be required.

A panel member asked about the delayed adult social care grant care reforms and how much extra given to the Council and how this can help to balance the budget. The Interim Executive Director for Finance and Digital reported they are still awaiting confirmation, but extra money carries additional burdens which are yet to be confirmed.

The Assistant Director, Commissioning gave an overview of saving CH112,

A panel member said local residents are concerned about the loss to the community if Eastway services closes.

A panel member said Eastway provides a much needed service for dementia sufferers and a respite for carers. The dementia hub does not provide the same service. They would like to retain Eastway as £180,000 savings will not make a huge difference to residents. The service change will mean service users will have to travel across the borough it is important to think about community care and retain vital services.  Councillor Gould proposed that the Overview and Scrutiny Commission to ask Cabinet to hold further discussions to look at ways to retain Eastway Services.

A panel member asked about the proposed closing date. The Assistant Director, Commissioning said there is not a fixed closure date as they will be working with service users to secure a suitable alternative provision.

The Interim Director of Community and Housing said the dementia hub is a centre for excellence, although it is a building-based model it could be replicated in homes and libraries and therefore can spread this approach across the borough. Not everyone is well enough to travel to current services.

A panel member asked why it is called a modern offer for people with dementia when people are taken away from their community and asked if there will there be activities within the Dementia Hub

The Assistant Director, Commissioning said there will be a range of activities in the new provision, Eastway is a borough wide provision and serves residents beyond the local vicinity.

The Interim Director of Community and Housing said the number of people using the facility has declined over the last few years. The department wish to work with Alzheimer’s Society to provide an excellent service for the future, and to meet the needs of the increasing numbers of people who are frail.

The Cabinet Member said he had personal experience of the decline of person with dementia. He is confident that the proposals will meet the needs of the carers. The dementia hub is a centre of excellence.

Councillor Jenifer Gould proposed that Eastway is referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Commission to ask the Cabinet to provide assurances that respite care will continue at the same level.

This was seconded by Councillor Simon McGrath

Those who voted in favour:

Councillor Jenifer Gould
Councillor Simon McGrath
Councillor Max Austin
Councillor Eleanor Cox

Those who voted against:

Councillor Agatha Akyigyina
Councillor Laxmi Attawar
Councillor Martin Whelton
Councillor Caroline Charles
Councillor Slawek Szczepanski

The proposal was not carried

The Director of Public Health gave an overview of the saving CH113 and said the public health grant is ringfenced with stringent conditions, this saving will reprofile the grant to areas with a public health benefit.

A panel member expressed concern that no detail had been provided on £330,000 level of reduction

The Interim Director of Community and Housing said the £330,000 will be moved to fund the civic pride programme. Working with organisations such as Merton and Morden Guild and Friends of St Helier.

A Panel member highlighted that the savings will be scrutinised by the Financial Monitoring Task Group throughout the year.

The Director of Public Health said it will only be available for public health purposes with a focus on prevention and improving population health.

The Cabinet Member said additional information regarding the projects to be funded will be provided at the Overview and Scrutiny Commission on the 25^th January. 

The Assistant Director, Commissioning gave an overview of the saving CH114.

A Panel member asked why this facility is being closed when it is rated good by the Care Quality Commission. The Assistant Director, Commissioning said unless the building is unsafe CQC do not include it in the rating, but better care be provided in independent settings.

The Assistant Director, Adult Social Care gave an overview of saving CH116. A panel member expressed concern about the safety of carers. This proposal will result in increasing independence using new types of equipment. It is not about removing care but improving outcomes for residents

The chair thanked the officers for savings overviews

RESOLVED

The Healthier Communities and Older People Overview and Scrutiny Panel agree the saving CH113 in principle. This is on the basis that the public health team provide additional information on the detail of the proposal to the Overview and Scrutiny Commission.