The Adult Care Services Cabinet Panel met on Thursday, 22 January 2026, to discuss the 2026-27 budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy for Adult Care Services, and to consider proposals for delegating authority for the re-provision of residential establishments within the Supported Living Programme. The panel also reviewed the council's response to the consultation on the establishment of an Adult Social Care Negotiating Body and associated Fair Pay Agreements.

Budget 2026/27 and Medium-Term Financial Strategy for Adult Care Services

The panel discussed the proposed budget for Adult Care Services for 2026/27, which forms part of a larger £1.2 billion council budget. Adult Care Services is allocated £663 million of this, with a net budget of £562.5 million. This represents an increase of £23.5 million from the previous year. The budget is set against a backdrop of significant financial challenges, including an anticipated £42 million annual loss from the Fair Funding Review over the next three years.

Despite these pressures, the council plans to invest £47 million in frontline service delivery within Adult Care Services. This includes £21 million for high-quality care support, such as fee uplifts for care providers to help attract and retain staff, and £23 million to meet the growing demands of an ageing population and adults with disabilities. Savings of £23 million are also projected through efficiencies and income generation.

The capital programme includes £12 million for two new day centres and £75 million for accommodation, such as supported living and extra care housing. The budget also prioritises balancing care worker pay and supporting preventative services through initiatives like the Connect and Prevent programme and carer hubs.

Councillor Alex Curtis declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in the budget discussions due to his directorship of companies that are recipients of contracts from Hertfordshire County Council for the preservation of adult social care services. He stated he would not participate in the vote on the allocation of funds.

Several councillors raised questions regarding the budget, including Councillor Tony Kingsbury, who sought clarification on chargeable income and support for the voluntary sector. Jackie Albery, Director of Planning & Resources, explained that increased chargeable income was largely due to demographic changes leading to more people receiving care, and that support for the voluntary sector remained substantial, around £13-14 million for 2026/27, with additional contributions from health partners pushing this figure closer to £20 million.

Councillor Chris Lloyd highlighted the significance of Adult Care Services, which constitutes nearly half of the council's budget, and raised concerns about the government's grant formula, suggesting that the age profile and social makeup of the population should be a greater factor. He also emphasised the importance of prevention and public health initiatives, linking them to sustainability and the long-term manageability of adult social care.

Helen Maneuf, Interim Executive Director of Adult Care Services, responded by noting the council's preparedness for extreme weather events and the sustainability considerations within the capital programme for new accommodation.

Councillor Nigel Bell inquired about the savings generated by the Connect and Prevent programme, specifically Phase 2. Jackie Albery detailed how the programme's success had allowed for an ambitious stretch in savings targets, aiming for between £24.8 million and £30 million. Phase 2 aims to extend successful elements of Phase 1 and introduce new areas, including proactive prevention for carers and individuals at risk of falls, and enablement for adults with disabilities.

Councillor Rachel Carter asked for clarification on the definition of mental health challenges within the budget, the assurance of funding reaching care workers employed through private providers, and access to key worker benefits. Tracey, Operations Director, explained that mental health services are delivered through integrated arrangements with Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation Trust (HPFT). Regarding workforce pressures, it was stated that the council works with the Hertfordshire Care Providers Association to ensure funding reaches care workers and that care workers have access to benefits schemes.

Councillor Calvin Horner welcomed the increased budget for prevention and carer support, and sought further explanation on how capital projects, such as extra care housing, would support prevention and savings. Helen Maneuf provided a detailed overview of the council's accommodation strategy, including plans for nursing care, extra care housing, supported living, and new day services.

Councillor Liz Needham questioned whether a falling birth rate and reduced costs in children's services might offset the increasing costs in adult care. Jackie Albery and Matt Buckland, Head of Finance, noted that while this was an interesting question, current pressures in children's services, particularly SEND, were significant, and the impact of a falling birth rate was not yet a factor in financial planning for adult care.

Councillor Paul Seeby raised concerns about the Fair Funding Review and its impact on Hertfordshire, particularly regarding areas of deprivation. He questioned how public health could be better integrated and how areas of deprivation could be focused on. Sally Symington, Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Member for Adult Care Services, highlighted existing forums like the Health and Wellbeing Board where these issues are discussed and noted that while the county council had faced funding reductions, some districts and boroughs had received additional funding which was being targeted towards deprived areas. Helen Maneuf added that the Director of Public Health was mindful of inequalities and deprivation when prioritising work.

Richard Short, a member of the public, spoke passionately about the need for care providers to allocate sufficient time for carers to engage with clients beyond just providing medication and basic needs, emphasising the importance of social interaction for those who are isolated. Helen Maneuf acknowledged this concern and stated that the upcoming adult care plan would focus on tackling social isolation, working with community wellbeing teams and voluntary sector partners.

Councillor Tony Kingsbury asked about the basis for demographic projections and the impact of care provider inflation on waiting lists. Jackie Albery confirmed that the demographic basis was largely the same as previous years, with refinements to account for nursing provision under-supply. Helen Maneuf reported that waiting lists for home care were currently very low.

The panel was invited to note and comment on the budget report and endorse the proposals to Cabinet. A show of hands confirmed unanimous support for this recommendation.

Delegate Authority to Executive Director of Adult Care Services Regarding the Decision Whether to Re-provide Residential Establishments Included in Phase 1 & 2 of the Supported Living Programme

The panel considered a report seeking approval to delegate decision-making authority to the Executive Director of Adult Care Services regarding the re-provision of residential establishments within Phase 1 and 2 of the Supported Living Programme. This programme aims to increase the supply and quality of supported living accommodation for working-age adults with disabilities in Hertfordshire.

The report outlined that there are 81 schemes in the council-owned Supported Living portfolio, with 18 schemes included in Phases 1 and 2. The proposed delegation would allow the Executive Director, in consultation with relevant officers and executive members, to make decisions on whether to close, re-provide on the same site or elsewhere, or change the use of these establishments, following consultation with residents, families, and carers. This delegation is intended to streamline the decision-making process, which would otherwise require individual cabinet approval for each scheme.

Councillor Chris Lloyd supported the recommendation but sought assurance on how members would be involved in future phases and how learnings from these schemes would be incorporated. Tarn Gascoyne, Head of Social Care Housing and Infrastructure, committed to providing update reports to the panel annually. Councillor Tony Kingsbury also supported the delegation, noting its importance for efficient delivery.

The panel endorsed the recommendation to Cabinet, with an additional amendment that an annual update report on the programme's progress be brought back to the panel.

Response to the Consultation on the Establishment of the Adult Social Care Negotiating Body and Associated Fair Pay Agreements

Jackie Albery presented a summary of the council's response to the government's consultation on the establishment of an Adult Social Care Negotiating Body (ACSNB) and associated Fair Pay Agreements (FPAs). The council is generally supportive of creating a national framework to improve pay and conditions for adult social care workers, acknowledging the sector's critical role and the ongoing challenges with recruitment and retention.

However, the council's response raised several key concerns. Firstly, it strongly advocated for direct representation of local government on the ACSNB, arguing that as commissioners and often providers of last resort, local authorities have a significant strategic interest and should have a seat at the table, not just be consultees. Secondly, the council opposed the inclusion of local authority-employed staff within the scope of the FPA, citing potential equal pay risks and the fact that local authorities often already offer competitive pay and benefits. Thirdly, concerns were raised about the sufficiency of the proposed government funding (£500 million) to cover the anticipated costs of FPAs, which are estimated to be significantly higher nationally.

Councillor Nigel Bell and Councillor Chris Lloyd both supported the council's stance, particularly the emphasis on local government involvement. Councillor Alexander Curtis, who sits on the National Joint Council for Local Government Service Employers, provided further insight into the financial implications, highlighting that labour costs constitute approximately 70% of adult social care expenditure nationally. He echoed concerns about the adequacy of the proposed funding and the complexities of defining employer representation for the negotiating body.

Councillor Paul Seeby and Councillor Rachel Carter also spoke in support of fair pay for care workers, with Ms. Carter highlighting the broader societal benefits of investing in fair wages. Richard Short reiterated his earlier point about the importance of valuing and supporting existing UK-based carers.

The panel noted the council's response to the consultation. It was agreed that the Leader of the Council would write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to reiterate the council's position, particularly regarding the need for adequate funding and local government representation, and would also raise these points with Hertfordshire's Members of Parliament.

The meeting concluded with the confirmation of the date for the next meeting on Thursday, 5 March 2026, at 1:00 PM.