Decision - Adult Social Care Services; The Direction of Travel 2016 -2020

25.1         The Head of Modernisation introduced the report which set out proposals for the future delivery of adult care services in Brighton & Hove over the period 2016-20.  The proposals covered the commissioning of services, service provision and assessment services.  He stated that the paper set out the broad direction of travel for services over the period and it would underpin the 4-year integrated service and financial planning process.

25.2         Councillor Mac Cafferty expressed his concern over the report and the future of services in view of the level of savings and cuts required to meet Government targets.  He did not believe that the proposals would ensure that vulnerable adults were protected and therefore could not support it.

25.3         Councillor K. Norman stated that he held a different view and welcomed the report and noted that it was set at a high level at this point.  He believed that it was a sound basis on which to move forward and hoped that it would be supported.

25.4         Frances McCabe stated that there was concern about the impact on service users and noted that other report on the agenda related to this one and suggested that there was some need for integration of the areas e.g. short-term care and primary care.  There was a need to avoid fragmentation and to have a more coherent approach.

25.5         Graham Bartlett noted that some difficult choices would have to be made and the Board would need to take a view on the level of services that could and would be provided.

25.6         Geraldine Hoban stated that she agreed with the need for integration and joined-up working, which she felt could be achieved.  She believed that the CCG was moving forward and that a lot more detail would need to come to the Board; but overall she felt that it was the right approach.

25.7         The Statutory Director for Adult Services stated that she hoped all agencies would be able to work together to provide a more effective outcome.  She also noted that there would be a degree of choice available to service users and that the change agenda was being driven by carers and users who also had a lot to give back to the community.

25.8         Councillor Barford supported the comments and acknowledged the concerns expressed but noted that it was a top level report and the key aim was to protect vulnerable people.  The intention had to be to provide the appropriate level of support for them and careful management.

25.9         Councillor Mac Cafferty stated that he believed there would be depreciation in the level of care and could not support the direction of travel identified.

25.10      The Chair noted the comments and put the recommendations to the Board.

25.11      RESOLVED: That the direction of travel for adult care services as set out in the report be approved and that it be noted that this would inform the 4-year integrated service and financial planning strategy for adult care services.