To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Mark Dykes.

To receive details of any councillor nominated to attend the meeting in place of a member of the committee.

Cllr Polly Andrews was present as the named substitute for Cllr Mark Dykes.

To receive declarations of interest in respect of items on the agenda.

No declarations of interest were received.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 27 July 2026.

RESOLVED:
That the minutes of the meeting held on 27 July 2026 be confirmed as a correct record.

To receive any written questions from members of the public.

No questions were received from members of the public.

To receive any written questions from members of the council.

No questions were received from councillors.

To provide the committee with an update on the operation of West Mercia Police’s “Right Care, Right Person’ policy.

The committee was advised that, following publication of the agenda, consideration of the Right Care, Right Person report had been deferred to a future meeting of the Health, Care and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee due to the unavailability of West Mercia Police representatives to attend the meeting.

Members noted that the report would not be presented and no discussion would take place on the item at this meeting.

The Chair thanked the officers and partner organisations for their work in preparing the report and noted that the Committee looked forward to considering the matter at a future date, provisionally scheduled for the committee’s next meeting on 14 December 2026.

RESOLVED:
That consideration of the Right Care, Right Person report be deferred to the next meeting of the Health, Care and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee on 14 December 2026.

Members noted that the report would not be presented and no discussion would take place on the item at this meeting.

The Chair thanked the officers and partner organisations for their work in preparing the report and noted that the Committee looked forward to considering the matter at a future meeting, provisionally scheduled for 14 December 2026.

RESOLVED:
That consideration of the Right Care, Right Person report be deferred to a future meeting of the Health, Care and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee, tentatively planned for 14 December 2026.

To provide the committee with the interim report and recommendations of its task and finish group looking into the demand for adult social care in Herefordshire.

The committee considered the interim report and recommendations of the Adult Social Care Demand Task and Finish Group. The Chair of the task and finish group introduced the report and outlined the group's work since its establishment in December 2025. Members noted that a final report would be presented to the committee in December 2026. The committee heard that the review had examined the drivers of adult social care demand, the capacity of the council to meet that demand, and identified recommendations focused on prevention, partnership working, housing, data collection and funding.

The principal points of the subsequent discussion are summarised below:

1. The Chair highlighted the group's findings that demand for adult social care continued to increase, with expenditure increasing at a faster rate. Particular concern was raised regarding the growth in demand from working-age adults and the need to better understand the factors driving increased costs.

2. Members discussed Recommendation 1 regarding data collection and information sharing. It was noted that significant gaps remained in the council's understanding of the pathways individuals followed through adult social care and associated preventative services. Members emphasised the importance of agreeing a consistent approach to data collection across organisations in order to better understand demand, outcomes and service effectiveness.

3. The committee highlighted the importance of understanding what happened to individuals following contact with the adult social care front door. Members noted that many people were signposted to alternative support, including Community Connectors and voluntary sector services, but further evidence was required to understand outcomes and assess whether preventative interventions were reducing future demand.

4. The Director of Public Health explained that individuals presenting at the front door could be referred to Community Connectors where appropriate. It was noted that Community Connectors remained a relatively new initiative and further work would be required to evaluate outcomes and demonstrate impact.

5. Members discussed the potential value of developing performance dashboards and improved reporting arrangements. It was suggested that stronger data could help identify trends, pressures and opportunities for intervention, as well as support future commissioning decisions.

6. The committee considered Recommendation 2 concerning self-funders. Members recognised the value of engaging with residents at an earlier stage to support financial planning and improve understanding of future demand. Discussion took place regarding how earlier conversations could assist individuals and families in preparing for future care needs.

7. In response, the Corporate Director Community Wellbeing advised that the council already operated a self-funder brokerage service. It was noted that Recommendation 2 highlighted the importance of engaging with self-funders at an earlier stage and provided an opportunity to strengthen that work. Members heard that a significant proportion of care home residents funded their own care arrangements and that improved engagement could support future planning.

8. Members discussed the importance of understanding future demand arising from self-funders whose financial circumstances may change over time. It was suggested that, where individuals and families were willing to share information, this could help improve forecasting and financial planning.

9. Discussion then turned to Recommendation 3 concerning housing and adult social  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.

To scrutinise financial outturn against budget savings plans (verbal update).

The committee received a verbal update on the adult social care budget outturn.

The principal points of the subsequent discussion are summarised below:

1. The Corporate Director Community Wellbeing provided an update on the adult social care budget position and advised that activity levels were currently tracking broadly in line with projections. While demand had increased slightly, no significant unexpected pressures had emerged. Members heard that work continued to respond to the findings of the Care Quality Commission inspection and to improve service performance whilst maintaining financial control.

2. The committee heard that managing demand remained a key priority for the service. The Corporate Director Community Wellbeing emphasised the importance of supporting people to live independently in their own homes wherever possible, describing this preventative approach as a central component of both service improvement and financial sustainability.

3. Members noted that savings were being generated through initiatives such as the Care in Your Home programme and through strengthening value for money across commissioned services. It was reported that these measures were placing the directorate in a stronger position to manage budget pressures.

4. The committee heard that changes implemented at the adult social care front door had resulted in more timely assessment and intervention, leading to fewer people remaining on waiting lists. Members were advised that recruitment to key positions had supported this improvement and had contributed to better demand management.

5. In response to questions regarding budget controls, the Corporate Director Community Wellbeing explained that closer collaboration had been established between finance and adult social care teams. This included strengthened oversight arrangements, more rigorous monitoring of expenditure and enhanced scrutiny of care packages and service demand.

6. Members heard that decisions regarding care packages were subject to appropriate governance and authorisation processes to ensure that support remained proportionate to assessed need whilst achieving best value.

7. The committee was advised that the directorate remained confident that projected savings targets would be achieved. Members heard that an external partner had been commissioned to support the identification of further efficiencies and future service delivery models to strengthen long-term financial sustainability.

8. It was noted that a two-year programme of work was underway to support financial stability and service improvement whilst ensuring that residents' care and support needs continued to be appropriately met.

9. Members discussed the importance of early intervention and preventative services. The committee heard that support delivered at a local level, including community-based services, could help prevent escalation of need and reduce future demand on statutory services.

10. The Chair commented that prevention was preferable to cure and welcomed the emphasis placed on early intervention and supporting independence.

11. A committee member raised the challenges facing domiciliary care providers, including workforce recruitment and retention pressures arising from increases in the National Living Wage. The committee heard that attracting and retaining skilled staff remained a significant issue across the care sector.

12. In response, the Corporate Director Community Wellbeing outlined proposals being explored through the Care in Your Home programme. Members heard that the council was considering arrangements with lead providers capable  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

To consider the work programme for the committee.

The Statutory Scrutiny Officer presented the committee's draft work programme. The committee considered forthcoming items and future areas of scrutiny.

The principal points of the subsequent discussion are summarised below:

1. Members discussed the potential inclusion of broadband and digital connectivity within future scrutiny work. It was noted that digital infrastructure had implications for a range of services, including technology-enabled care and community-based support. The Chair advised that discussions would take place with the Chair of the Connected Communities Scrutiny Committee regarding the most appropriate forum for further consideration of the issue.

2. A member sought an update regarding the deferred Right Care, Right Person item. The Statutory Scrutiny Officer confirmed that the item was scheduled to return to the committee's December 2026 meeting.

3. Members requested clarification regarding meeting dates and scrutiny arrangements for 2027. The committee heard that committee meetings were expected to take place during February and March 2027 prior to the local elections, and that a further discussion regarding future work programming would take place with members during October.

Resolved:

That the work programme be noted.

Monday 14 December 2026, 2pm

The date of the next meeting was confirmed as Monday 14 December 2026 at 2.00 pm.