Agenda item

The Chairman introduced the report providing an overview of the issues and work the Board has overseen during the last year, as well as setting out key achievements in relation to the priorities of the Community Wellbeing Board in 2017/18.

The Chairman also shared her reflections from her time as Chairman of the Community Wellbeing Board. The following points were raised:

·         Funding for adult social care and public health, as well as the need for integration in the sector, had remained a constant priority.

·         That the LGA’s Adult Social Care Green Paper was an crucial piece of work and opportunity for local government to participate in developing the Government’s green paper.

·         That Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships had got off to a challenging start.

·         That it had been clear Health and Wellbeing Boards would need to have a greater leadership role in future.

·         That mental health had raised up the agenda over recent years and that it was crucial that local government continued to lend their support.

·         That the collective voice of the LGA would continue to be crucial to local government.

The Chairman also emphasised that local government had protected adult social care, but raised her concern that due to funding cuts this had come at great cost to other services.

The Chairman expressed her thanks to all Members of the Board for their work, and to all the LGA officers who support the Community Wellbeing Board.

In the discussion that followed, the following points were raised;

·         A view was expressed that the LGA adult social care green paper was an opportunity to evidence the value of localism.

·         The importance of how local government supports local care in future was also raised.

·         The need for cross party work going forwards was emphasised.

·         A view was expressed that including personal stories and case studies would be of great value to the LGA adult social care green paper.

·         A view was expressed that local government should have a greater role in community care.

·         The need for a stronger message to the public as to the importance of social care and the challenges it faces.

Following this discussion Alyson Morley, Senior Adviser, raised the following points;

·         Following polling the LGA found 89 per cent of Council leaders now want a resolution for Adult Social Care from national tax.

·         87 per cent of the public support more funding for Councils.

·         82 per cent of the public support this coming from a national tax.

·         Alyson emphasised that these results show a shift in public awareness of adult social care.

·         The Board were informed that the LGA was commissioning adult social care case studies.

·         The Board were informed that a consultation on the adult social care green paper would be carried out over August and September.

Members expressed their thanks to the Chairman for her work in this role over the past three years and in having built such a clear cross party consensus in the Community Wellbeing Board.

Decision

Members noted the achievements against the Board’s priorities in 2017/18.

Action

Officers to incorporate Members feedback into future priority setting.