Agenda, decisions and minutes

Resolved: the minutes of the last meeting were agreed as a true record.

Resolved: the minutes of the last meeting were agreed as a true record.

The following non-pecuniary interest was declared:

Cllr Jacq Paschoud has a close family member in receipt of a package of adult social care.

There were none.

There were none.

Resolved: the committee agreed to refer its views to the Public Accounts Select Committee.

Tom Brown (Executive Director for Community Services) introduced the report and noted the following:

1.1      These cuts come at a very challenging time for the council: the financial impact for of Covid for Lewisham is currently £68m and rising. Government support to date has been less than the impact.

1.2      The council also continues to report overspending pressures: £10m this year, mainly in children’s social care, environment services, and technology. The council has managed to make one-off savings of £5.4m to date to help manage these pressures.

1.3      Funding arrangements for local government for next year are still unclear. The financial settlement for local government is not expected to be announced until mid to late December.

1.4      The council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy has identified the need to make cuts of at least £40m over the next three years with the majority (£24m) needed in the next year.

1.5      The draft cuts proposals being presented include £15m of cuts for next year. Further proposals will need to be brought to scrutiny early in the new year. 

Tom Brown (Executive Director for Community Services) introduced each of the cuts proposals listed below in turn. There were questions and discussions after each. Key points are noted below.

B-04 - Smoking Cessation service

B-05 - Recharge OT and housing officer costs to the Disabled Facilities Grant

B-09 - Reduction in The discretionary award of concessionary fares

C-02 - Adult Learning and Day Opportunities

E-04 - Introduce charging for certain elements of self-funded care packages

F-01 - Adult Social Care Demand management

F-06 - Adults with learning difficulties and 14 - 25yrs transitions costs

F-07 - Outsource Adults services - Enablement

F-08 - Outsource Adults services - Linkline

F-09 - In house Services reductions - adults passenger transport

1.6      In response to questions on cut B-09 (Reduction in the discretionary award of concessionary fares) regarding communications and engagement with service users,  it was confirmed that there would be a full consultation and equalities impact assessment if the proposal is agreed by Mayor and Cabinet.

1.7      The committee raised questions about the phasing of the implementation of cut B-09. A number of potential options were outlined and officers confirmed that they would listen to suggestions from the consultation process.

1.8      The committee also expressed concern about the impact of proposal B-09 on vulnerable people under 60, particularly those whose health conditions may have been exacerbated by Covid-19.

1.9      Officers noted the importance of a thorough Equality Impact Assessment to ensure that the proposal doesn’t disproportionately affect those with less obvious disabilities such as mental health.

1.10   In response to cut proposal C-02 (Adult Learning and Day Opportunities) the committee expressed concern about the availability of day opportunities outside of term time if more is to be provided by Adult Learning Lewisham.

1.11   Officers confirmed that any day opportunities would be personalised for individuals which would include opportunities outside of term time. Ideally this would include volunteering opportunities.

1.12   On cut proposal E-04 (Introduce charging for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Resolved: the committee noted the report and agreed to receive a future update on the impact on GP services as an information item.

The Chair noted that NHS senior management are currently heavily engaged in delivering the response to the Covid-19 pandemic and that the committee does not therefore have any representatives from the local CCG or Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust present for this item.

1.1  The Chair also noted, however, that the CCG and Trust have agreed to respond after the meeting to any questions raised on this item.

1.2  The Chair noted that the Save Lewisham Hospital Campaign had submitted questions on this item.

1.3  One committee member queried whether there is expected to be any effect on the availability and speed of pathology services provided by GPs as a result on the change.

Resolved: the committee noted the report and agreed to receive a future update on the impact on GP services as an information item.

To follow

Resolved: the committee noted the update and asked to receive a full presentation on the work of the BLACHIR as soon as possible.

The Chair introduced the report and noted that the Director of Public Health was not able to be present due to the ongoing pressures of responding to the Covid-19 pandemic.

1.1  Cllr Chris Best (Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care) noted that the work of BLACHIR is regularly reported to the Health and Wellbeing Board and the BAME health inequalities working group. Cllr Best agreed to work with the Director of Public Health to provide the committee with a full report and presentation as soon as possible.

1.2  Cllr Juliet Campbell (speaking under standing orders) asked for the scope of the BLACHIR to address the disproportionate number of maternity deaths experienced by black women, noting that black women are five times more likely to die than white women and that this difference has increased in recent years.

Resolved: the committee noted the update and asked to receive a full presentation on the work of the BLACHIR as soon as possible.

Resolved: the committee agreed to include another item to the January agenda to consider further budget cuts proposals.

Resolved: the committee agreed to include another item to the January agenda to consider further budget cuts proposals.