To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies had been received from Councillor Pauline Crockett and Councillor Liz Harvey.

To receive details of members nominated to attend the meeting in place of a member of the board.

Councillor Rebecca Tully was substituting for Councillor Pauline Crockett.

Councillor Diana Toynbee was substituting for Councillor Liz Harvey.

To receive declarations of interests from members of the board in respect of items on the agenda.

No declarations of interest were made.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 13 April 2026.

The minutes of the previous meeting were received.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 April 2026 be confirmed as a correct record and be signed by the Chairperson.

To receive any written questions from members of the public.

No questions had been receieved from members of the public.

To receive any written questions from councillors.

No questions had been received from councillors.

To provide the Scrutiny Management Board with an overview of Herefordshire Council’s Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) deficit position, progress against the Deficit Management Plan, and alignment with the Local SEND Reform Plan (March 2026).

1. The Committee received an update on the DSG High Needs Block Deficit Management Plan. Demand for SEND support, particularly EHCPs, continued to place significant pressure on resources. The projected cumulative deficit at the end of 2025/26 was £36.3 million, reflecting an improvement from previous forecasts.

2. Members were advised that the SEND Reform Plan and Deficit Management Plan served different functions. The reform plan focuses on inclusion and earlier support within mainstream settings, while the deficit plan remains necessary to manage costs and financial sustainability.

3. The projected deficit has reduced from around £40 million to £36.3 million following management actions. Officers reported that Herefordshire's SEND Reform Plan has been positively received and was considered advanced compared with many authorities.

4. Approval of the reform plan could make the council eligible for High Needs Stability Funding, covering approximately 90% of the current deficit. Members were advised that financial controls would still be required throughout the planned three-year transition period.

5. Discussion acknowledged continuing national funding pressures. Officers highlighted ongoing efforts to contain costs through increasing local provision, reducing reliance on out-of-county placements and promoting inclusion within mainstream education.

6. Members noted significant shortages in specialist provision. Existing special schools were operating at capacity and the loss of government funding for a proposed special free school was recognised as a setback. Planned expansion projects, including Westfield School and alternative provision schemes, were intended to increase capacity.

7. Questions were raised regarding increasing numbers of children qualifying for support. Officers advised that reforms would place greater emphasis on inclusion and early intervention, although demand for specialist placements would remain for children with complex needs.

8. Officers confirmed that the reform programme was supported by five-year financial modelling. Forecasts took account of future demand, expenditure trends and the need for both systems to operate during transition.

9. It was clarified that stability funding could only be used to address the deficit. Expansion of provision relied on separate capital funding streams, which were supporting projects across specialist and alternative provision.

10. Officers advised that a new standalone special school was currently unaffordable. The council was therefore exploring more cost-effective options using existing buildings and continued to pursue future government funding opportunities.

11. Members discussed the balance of capital investment priorities. Existing capital commitments included funding for alternative provision and pupil referral developments alongside wider SEND expansion plans.

12. Officers advised that the priority was ensuring appropriate specialist provision existed within the county, recognising that schools were generally designed to meet specific categories of need rather than provide identical services in every locality. While increased local provision might reduce some transport costs, officers cautioned that many pupils with complex needs would continue to require transport support.

13. The Committee welcomed progress in reducing the deficit while recognising continued financial and operational risks. Assurance was provided that both the deficit and wider SEND reforms remained under close review. Members also noted the importance of ongoing co-production with parents and carers in shaping future SEND services.

To scrutinise the recent CQC inspection report on adult social care, and to further scrutinise the council’s budget and its plan for service transformation in light of budget pressures and the inspection findings.

1. The Director of Adult Social Care explained that the CQC assessment, published in May, resulted in an overall rating of Requires Improvement. While strengths were identified in safeguarding and partnership working, the assessment highlighted several areas requiring further development. Officers stated that the findings broadly aligned with the council's own self-assessment, providing confidence that improvement efforts were focused on the correct priorities.

2. Members sought assurance that the improvement plan focused on the right priorities and would deliver meaningful improvements. Officers advised that the plan drew upon both the self-assessment and themes emerging from the CQC process. Priorities including strengthening the front door, supporting carers, improving occupational therapy services and managing demand more effectively had already been identified locally before the inspection.

3. Concerns were raised about the absence of measurable outcomes and performance indicators. Officers acknowledged that the published plan was a high-level document and confirmed that a more detailed action plan was being developed, incorporating performance measures, evidence of impact and resident feedback to enable more rigorous monitoring.

4. Members questioned whether the narrative nature of the CQC report provided sufficient evidence to support the selected priorities. Officers accepted limitations within the report but emphasised that priorities had also been informed by operational performance information and local intelligence.

5. Discussion turned to the relationship between service improvement and financial sustainability. Officers explained that many improvement initiatives focused on prevention, reablement and early intervention, which could both improve outcomes and reduce future demand for more costly services.

6. Questions were asked about progress against the improvement plan. Officers reported that many actions were already underway before the inspection and that progress was being monitored monthly through established governance arrangements.

7. The Committee explored the role of data and performance information in supporting improvement. Officers outlined developments including improved reablement tracking, enhanced case monitoring and better oversight of referrals through the front door. These arrangements aimed to strengthen evidence of outcomes and support decision making.

8. Members examined the effectiveness of the front-door approach and the ability to track individuals signposted to alternative services. Officers advised that return contacts could be monitored but further work was underway to capture information on destinations and outcomes for those directed elsewhere.

9. The Committee considered how resident feedback was being used to shape services. Officers explained that existing feedback mechanisms would be expanded to gather views from residents at different stages of their journey, including those accessing alternative forms of support.

10. A recurring theme throughout the discussion was the importance of stronger corporate data and analytical capability. Members suggested improved investment in these areas would support service improvement across the council. Officers agreed and confirmed that performance and intelligence functions formed an important component of the programme.

11. Members discussed prevention, community support and the role of Community Connectors. Officers reported that Community Connectors were increasingly providing practical assistance to residents as well as signposting, helping individuals engage with services and reducing barriers to access.

12. Significant attention was given to Occupational Therapy services and waiting lists. Officers cited workforce shortages, rising  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To agree the final report from the task and finish group.

[Papers to follow}

The committee heard that the report was largely written, but there had been a delay in publishing it. It was agreed that a draft copy of the report would be circulated with members ahead of the next committee meeting in October -- when the final report would be published.

To consider the work programme for the board.

1.     Members agreed that the Scrutiny Management Board should add a longer-term work programme item to explore how the council’s capital programme could better support improvements in adult social care and help reduce associated costs.

2.     The Board also noted the forthcoming Connected Communities Scrutiny Committee meeting on major capital infrastructure projects and recognised the relevance of these schemes to SMB’s oversight of organisational performance and capital delivery.

3.     Concerns were raised regarding the delivery of major capital projects, including issues experienced on significant schemes, prompting discussion about whether the council’s current approach to planning and managing its capital programme remains effective. Members suggested this could become a future scrutiny work programme item.

Tuesday 1 December 2026, 2pm.

Listed as Tuesday 1 December 2026, 2pm, but October 2026 to be confirmed..