To receive apologies for absence, including notifications of any changes to the membership of the Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Board.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Bryant, and Non-voting Co-opted Members - Pat Harris (who was represented by Sarah Lonton) and Amanda Moss.

It was also reported that, in accordance with the wishes of the Liberal Democrat Group, the membership of the Sub-Board had been amended to include Councillor Long in place of Councillor Douglas-Dunbar for this meeting only.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Board held on  21 May 2026.

The minutes of the meeting of the Sub-Board held on 21 May 2026 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

a)         To receive declarations of non pecuniary interests in respect of items on this agenda

For reference:  Having declared their non pecuniary interest members may remain in the meeting and speak and, vote on the matter in question.  A completed disclosure of interests form should be returned to the Clerk before the conclusion of the meeting.

b)        To receive declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests in respect of items on this agenda

For reference:  Where a Member has a disclosable pecuniary interest he/she must leave the meeting during consideration of the item.  However, the Member may remain in the meeting to make representations, answer questions or give evidence if the public have a right to do so, but having done so the Member must then immediately leave the meeting, may not vote and must not improperly seek to influence the outcome of the matter.  A completed disclosure of interests form should be returned to the Clerk before the conclusion of the meeting.

(Please Note:  If Members and Officers wish to seek advice on any potential interests they may have, they should contact Governance Support or Legal Services prior to the meeting.)

No declarations of interest were made.

To receive an update on the Adult Social Care Commissioning Plan from Divisional Director of Adult Social Care.

The Sub?Board received a presentation from the Divisional Director of Adult Social Care, Emma Crowther, as set out in the submitted document outlining the Adult Social Care Commissioning Plan, including the approach to needs analysis, service design, co?production and market shaping, who also responded to questions together with the Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services, Public Health and Inequalities, Councillor Tranter.

Members asked the following questions:

·                     What was the role of health (Integrated Care Board - ICB) commissioners in shaping the care market to meet local needs?

·                     How will commissioning responsibilities operate following changes to Section 75 arrangements?

·                     Is there sufficient capacity within the Council to deliver the range of commissioning workstreams?

·                     How can the public voice and user engagement be incorporated effectively into commissioning decisions?

·                     What are the future requirements for care home provision, particularly for complex needs and dementia?

·                     How will the Council support providers to adapt to future demand and service expectations?

·                     How will current pricing arrangements for providers be reviewed and updated?

·                     What impact will local government reorganisation have on commissioning responsibilities and structures?

The following responses were provided:

·                     Joint working with health partners continues through established governance arrangements, including commissioning oversight meetings where information is shared and co-ordinated approaches are developed.

·                     Section 75 changes will require clearer separation of commissioning responsibilities, alongside continued collaboration with health partners to ensure services remain aligned.

·                     Additional posts have been introduced in key areas; however, the scale of work means prioritisation is required and capacity remains a challenge.

·                     Public and service?user voice will be incorporated through co?production approaches, with further work needed to strengthen engagement mechanisms.

·                     The care home market is varied, with many smaller providers; challenges include ageing infrastructure and the need to adapt to increased levels of complexity and dementia care.

·                     Providers will need clearer direction on future service requirements to enable investment and potential changes to operating models.

·                     Current pricing frameworks are outdated and are being reviewed to reflect market conditions and support sustainability.

·                     While final arrangements for local government reorganisation are unknown, the need for commissioning functions will remain and continue to be a core responsibility of the Council.

Sarah Lonton from Healthwatch advised that although Healthwatch was expected to cease in March 2027, the Partnership was proactively looking at how they can drive forward the user voice in a more modernised way.  It was agreed that representatives from Healthwatch would meet with Emma Crowther to see how they could join up their work effectively moving forward.

Resolved (unanimously):

1.         that the ICB be requested to provide assurance to the Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Board that they understand their commissioning responsibilities at place and confirm that with the ending of Section 75 agreement, additional resources will be made available to support the market development work required; and

2.         that the Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Board monitor progress on the delivery of the Adult Social Care Commissioning Plan every six months.

To review the Adult Social Care Transformation Programme and new ways of working for 2026/2027.

The Sub?Board received a presentation from the Director of Adult and Community Services, Anna Coles, as set out in the submitted document outlining the Adult Social Care Transformation Programme, including planned changes to governance, systems and delivery, who also responded to questions together with the Divisional Director of Adult Social Care, Gary Patch and the Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services, Public Health and Inequalities, Councillor Tranter.

The Transformation Programme focussed on the following four key areas:

·                     safe transition/due diligence;

·                     transformation;

·                     improvement/assurance; and

·                     cost recovery.

Members asked the following questions:

·                     What are the risks to successful delivery of the transition from Section 75 arrangements?

·                     Is there agreement between the Council and NHS Trust on the work required and delivery timescales?

·                     How confident are officers that sufficient resources and capacity are in place to deliver the programme?

·                     What impact is the transition having on workforce stability, including recruitment and sickness levels?

·                     How will hospital discharge arrangements operate under the new system?

·                     Are current processes ensuring that individuals are placed in the most appropriate care settings?

·                     How will the Council ensure readiness for future Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspections?

·                     What governance arrangements are in place to oversee delivery of the transformation programme?

·                     Is there clarity on roles and responsibilities between health and social care services going forward?

·                     What can Members do to support successful delivery of the programme?

The following responses were provided:

·                     Key risks include workforce uncertainty, service disruption and the complexity of disentangling long?standing integrated arrangements; these are being managed through structured programme governance.

·                     Joint governance arrangements are in place between the Council and the NHS Trust, including a Programme Board with representation from both organisations to oversee delivery.

·                     Significant additional resources have been mobilised; however, the scale of the programme means prioritisation is essential and some transformation ambitions may need to be phased.

·                     Workforce challenges include increased uncertainty, higher sickness levels and recruitment pressures linked to the transition.

·                     Hospital discharge processes are under review, with consideration being given to different models and how responsibilities will operate in the future.  Work is underway to review existing processes and ensure that individuals are supported to access the most appropriate care options.

·                     Preparation for future CQC inspection is ongoing, with a focus on assurance, performance data and demonstrating system awareness and improvement.  A formal programme structure has been established, including leadership oversight, defined workstreams and regular reporting arrangements.

·                     Work is ongoing to define clear roles and responsibilities between organisations following the end of Section 75 arrangements.

·                     Continued cross?party support from Members was identified as important to maintaining momentum and providing stability during the transition.

Resolved (unanimously):

1.         that the Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Board receive quarterly updates on the Torbay Adult Social Care Transformation Programme; and

2.         that the Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Board request that Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust attend a future meeting to seek assurances that the Trust understand the complexity and have the Transition  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

To receive an update on the implementation of the actions of the Sub-Board and consider any further actions required (as set out in the submitted action tracker).

The Sub-Board noted the submitted action tracker.