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 Douglas-Dunbar, Pat Harris and Amanda Moss (Non-voting Co-opted Members).

It was 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 Johns for this meeting only.

Members were advised that Pat Harris had retired from Healthwatch and would no longer be attending future meetings.  Sarah Lonton would represent Healthwatch going forward.  The Chair conveyed Pat's thanks and appreciation to Members for their support to both her and Healthwatch over the years.  Members also placed on record their thanks to Pat for her valuable contribution and commitment to the Sub-Board and wished her well in her retirement.

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 16 July 2026.

The minutes of the meeting of the Sub-Board held on 16 July 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 review the emerging Public Health Annual Report on Men’s Health for 2026/2027.

The Public Health Registrar – Peter Mennear, presented the Public Health Annual Report 2026/2027 update as set out in the submitted report and responded to questions.  The Public Heath Practitioner – Lucinda Wills also provided an update on progress made following publication of the 2025 Annual Public Health Report on Healthy Ageing.

Members asked questions in respect of trends in men's mental health concerns, suicide prevention, engagement with families and support networks, age-related health outcomes, loneliness amongst younger generations and the development of the Frailty Hub at Newton Abbot Hospital.

Members were advised that suicide remained a complex issue, single men were recognised as a vulnerable group, substance misuse was often linked to wider mental health challenges, and the Frailty Hub would support referrals from hospitals and GP practices.

Resolved (unanimously):

That the Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Board note the emerging findings of the 2026 Annual Public Health Report and note the progress made on the 2025 Annual Public Health Report.

To receive a quarterly update on the Torbay Adult Social Care Transformation Programme.

The Divisional Director of Adult Social Care - Gary Patch, presented the quarterly update on the Torbay Adult Social Care Transformation Programme and responded to questions.

Members discussed the implementation of the Liquidlogic Care Management System, recording of reasonable adjustments, the collection of protected characteristic data and the system's ability to respond to future legislative changes.

Members welcomed the successful implementation of the new system and the opportunities it provided for improved performance reporting and service improvement.

Resolved (unanimously):

1.    that the Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Board note the progress made in delivering the Adult Social Care Transformation Programme; and

2.    that the Senior Democratic, Overview and Scrutiny Officer be requested to update the work programme to include a future update on the Transformation Programme and organise a Member briefing on the new Liquidlogic system.

To undertake a review of the Multiple Complex Needs (MCN) Alliance.

The Public Health Consultant - Bruce Bell, and the Divisional Director for Community and Customer Services - Tara Harris presented the Review of the Multiple Complex Needs (MCN) Alliance.

Members were advised that insufficient progress had been made against the transformational objectives of the Alliance model and that separate commissioning arrangements were being considered for domestic abuse and drug and alcohol services.

Resolved (by majority):

1.    that the Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Board note the findings of the Multiple Complex Needs (MCN) Alliance Review, specifically the concerns relating to the performance of the drug and alcohol service; and

2.    that the Senior Democratic, Overview and Scrutiny Officer be requested to update the work programme to include a further update on the adult drug and alcohol treatment service at the January 2027 meeting of the Sub-Board.

To receive an update on the NHS Devon, Cornwall and Isle of Scilly ICB Clustering.

The Place Director for West Devon – Chris Morley, presented the update on NHS Devon, Cornwall and Isle of Scilly Integrated Care Board (ICB) Clustering.

Members were advised that recruitment to the permanent Cluster Chief Executive role and the Torbay and South Devon Place Director role was underway and that work continued towards a single organisation from April 2027.

Resolved (unanimously):

That the Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Board note the update on the NHS Devon, Cornwall and Isle of Scilly ICB Clustering.

To receive the Healthwatch Annual Report for 2026 and consider if there are areas which the Sub-Board wishes to review in more detail.

Sarah Lonton, Healthwatch Torbay, presented the Healthwatch Annual Report 2025/26and highlightedconcerns regarding digital exclusion, including the complexity of multiple digital platforms, issues with proxy access for carers and the impact on missed appointments.

Members were advised that Healthwatch's work on reasonable adjustments had identified inconsistent use and awareness of digital flags and hospital passports for people with disabilities, learning disabilities and neurodiverse conditions.  These concerns had been raised with Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust.

Sarah also provided an update on proposed national changes to Healthwatch arrangements and emphasised the importance of maintaining an independent public voice within any future arrangements.

Resolved (unanimously):

That the Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Board note the Healthwatch Annual Report 2026.

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.  Members were advised that a response remained outstanding from the Integrated Care Board regarding commissioning responsibilities and that the visit to the Emergency Department at Torbay Hospital that was scheduled to take place on 10 September 2026 would be rearranged due to a conflicting meeting.