The Adult Social Care and Communities Scrutiny Committee were scheduled to meet to discuss the scope of the committee, performance reports, and updates from Adult Social Care and Public Health. The committee was also expected to review its work plan for the coming year.

Scope of the Committee

The committee was scheduled to discuss its scope in relation to the delivery of Adult Social Care Services in Gloucestershire. Sarah Scott, Executive Director of Adult Social Care, Wellbeing and Communities, was expected to present an overview of the services provided, including:

• The council receiving around 60,000 new requests for support per year, with 76% of these requests relating to older adults and 25% relating to people aged 18-64.
• The council spending 75% of its budget for care on long term care, supporting nearly 7000 people with long term support.
• Approximately 4000 people also being supported by carers.
• The council receiving around 2700 safeguarding reports per year.

The committee was also scheduled to discuss its scope in relation to Public Health and the delivery of Public Health Services in Gloucestershire. Siobhan Farmer, Director of Public Health, was expected provide an overview of the role of the Public Health and Communities team, including:

• The council's legal duties in respect to public health, following the Health and Social Care Act 2012, which moved public health duties from the NHS to local authorities.
• The team's purpose to improve and protect the health and wellbeing of people in Gloucestershire and reduce the unfair differences in health outcomes and quality of life which different groups of people experience.
• The team's vision for Gloucestershire to be a county where everyone can thrive; where our places and communities enable people to live healthy lives and where we work with system partners to reduce inequalities in mental and physical health and wellbeing'.

Quarter 4 Performance Report

The committee was scheduled to consider the Adult Social Care Quarter 4 Performance Report 2024-25. Members were expected to have an opportunity to ask questions on the contents of the report.

Adult Social Care Update

Sarah Scott, Executive Director for Adult Social Care, Wellbeing and Communities, was scheduled to present an overview of information on matters relating to the delivery of Adult Social Care in Gloucestershire, including anticipated issues and activities that might require consideration by the committee in 2025-26.

The report included an overview of the Quality-of-Care Provider Market for Gloucestershire. Members were reminded that Section 5 of the Care Act placed a duty on local authorities to promote the efficient and effective operation of the market for adult care¹.

The principles which underpin this duty include:

• Focusing on outcomes and wellbeing
• Promoting quality services, including through workforce development and remuneration and ensuring appropriately resourced care and support
• Supporting sustainability
• Ensuring choice
• Co-production with partners

Adult Social Care Update Report

Public Health Update

Siobhan Farmer, Director of Public Health, was scheduled to present an overview of information on matters relating to Public Health and the delivery of Public Health Services in Gloucestershire, including anticipated issues and activities that might require consideration by the committee in 2025-26.

The update included information on:

• The Local Stop Smoking Services and Support Grant, which was announced by the government in October 2023, to support and enhance local stop smoking services. Gloucestershire's allocation for year two (2025/26), is £761,132.
• Adults' Weight Management, including a range of services available to support adults living with obesity to manage their weight and improve their overall health and wellbeing.
• The Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA), a report of the current needs for pharmaceutical services, which is used to identify any gaps in service provision and outlines future service developments required to improve or meet the pharmaceutical needs of the population. The Gloucestershire Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) 2025-28 is due to be published by 1st October 2025.
• The Gloucestershire Tackling Domestic Abuse Strategy 2025-28, which includes updated objectives and underlying outcomes to make further progress on five priority areas: prevention and early intervention; multi-agency working and pathway development; workforce development; high quality service provision; and working to break the cycle of perpetrator behaviour.

Work Plan

The committee was scheduled to discuss its work plan for the coming year. When suggesting items to include on the committee work plan, members were asked to note the information at the links below and information relating to scheduled forthcoming executive decisions by the County Council and information relating to the Council Strategy.

Members were also asked to consider the reasons for and the expected benefits of the scrutiny committee's involvement, and which category the item should relate to on the committee agenda:

• Overview – an item which involves members learning about a subject, including asking questions of clarifications but does not necessarily lead to any actions or recommendations.
• Scrutiny – an item which requires members to examine the content of the subject and provide an outcome.
• Information – reports provided for information.