The Adults and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Leicestershire County Council met on Monday 19 January 2026 to discuss the council's Medium Term Financial Strategy, the recommissioning of the Dementia Support Service, and an update on the Care Quality Commission's assessment of the council's adult social care services.

Medium Term Financial Strategy 2026/27–2029/30

The committee was scheduled to consider the proposed Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for the Adults and Communities Department. This strategy outlines the financial plans for the department from 2026/27 to 2029/30. The report details projected financial gaps, with a gap of £23 million anticipated in the first year, rising to £106 million by the fourth year. The strategy aims to address these gaps through a combination of growth in services, particularly for older people, learning disabilities, and mental health, and proposed savings.

The report highlights that Leicestershire delivers adult social care at a lower cost per head than most councils, despite having a higher proportion of older adults. The proposed revenue budget for 2026/27 for the department is £255.5 million, with demand-led commissioned services accounting for the largest portion. The strategy also includes a capital programme of £25.8 million, primarily for the Disabled Facilities Grant and the Social Care Investment Programme.

Significant focus was placed on the Efficiency Review, a comprehensive assessment of all council services and spending initiated by the new administration to address a projected £90 million budget gap. This review aims to identify opportunities for service redesign, resource optimisation, and income generation. The report also details proposed savings across various areas, including increased income from service users and the Better Care Fund, as well as efficiency savings from digital assistive technology and contract reviews.

The report also covers Health and Social Care Integration, specifically the Better Care Fund (BCF), which aims to co-ordinate care and integrate services. For 2026/27, the BCF plan is £86.3 million, with a significant portion allocated to sustaining adult social care services and supporting hospital discharges.

Recommissioning of Dementia Support Service

The committee was scheduled to review proposals for the procurement of the Dementia Support Service (DSS) and its associated key performance indicators. The current contract, delivered by Age UK, is due to end on 30 September 2026. The DSS supports individuals living with dementia and their carers across Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland, focusing on prevention, early diagnosis, and post-diagnosis support.

The report indicates that over 10,000 people are estimated to be living with dementia in Leicestershire, with a diagnosis rate below the national target. The proposed service model aims to provide pre, peri, and post-diagnosis support, including information, advice, and guidance, personalised support plans, and carer learning workshops. Engagement with service users, carers, and providers has highlighted the need for culturally appropriate support, wider reach into rural communities, and better support for carers. The proposed annual contribution from Leicestershire County Council is £265,352, funded via the Better Care Fund.

Care Quality Commission Assessment 2025 - Improvement Plan Delivery Update

The committee was to receive an update on the progress made in delivering the Care Quality Commission (CQC) Improvement Plan. Leicestershire County Council received an overall rating of Requires Improvement from the CQC in September 2025. The report outlines the actions being taken to address the areas identified for development, including improving the timeliness of assessments and reviews, enhancing access to information, advice, and guidance, and strengthening reablement and hospital discharge processes.

Specific actions include increasing temporary resource to reduce waiting lists for Care Act assessments, reviewing occupational therapy services, and developing a new Carers Strategy. The report also details progress in ensuring the sufficiency and quality of provider services, improving equity of access and experience, and enhancing safeguarding processes. The plan acknowledges the need for significant resource to deliver these improvements, with approximately £4 million allocated in the Adults and Communities MTFS. The committee was to be updated on the progress of these actions on a quarterly basis.