Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were submitted on behalf of Councillor Abdul Harid.

To receive declarations by councillors of any disclosable pecuniary interest, personal interests, other registrable interests or any other interests in respect of items on the agenda.

Councillor Harris disclosed an interest in agenda items 6 – Co-production in Adult Social care and 7 – Technology Enabled care due to his partner working with The Glenmore Trust, who provide a number of services such as supported living and respite care.

To consider whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of any item on the agenda.

RESOLVED that the press and public not be excluded from the meeting for any items of business on this occasion.

To receive any questions or representations which have been received from members of the public.

There were no questions or representations received from members of the public.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 23 January 2025 (copy enclosed).

A Member noted that the Committee had yet to receive the validated public examination outcomes, the table on the analysis of deprivation for all of Cumberland and an update on large partners as was requested at the previous meeting. The Policy and Scrutiny Adviser agreed to follow up on the requested documentation and noted that the update on large partners was added to the Work Programme.

A Member noted that there was a misspelling on page 7 in the last paragraph, where it said, “separate budge” instead of “separate budget”. The Democratic Services Officer (Scrutiny) agreed to amend accordingly.

RESOLVED that,

a)    The minutes of the previous meeting be agreed as a true and accurate record of the meeting held on 23 January 2025 subject to the amendments being made.

b)    The Policy and Scrutiny Adviser follow up on the requested documents.

To receive an update on co-production, equality, diversity and inclusion within Adult Social Care.

The Assistant Director Housing, Quality and Resources provided the Committee with an introduction to Co-Production within the Adult Social Care and Housing Directorate, the operating framework and the aspirations for Co-Production. Co-production placed collaboration, inclusivity, and person-centred principles at the heart of service design.

The Co-Production Lead provided the Committee with an overview of the report for Co-Production in Adult Social Care, highlighting the Community Power Project, the Transformation Improvement Plan, the governance process and bringing in those with lived experience to help with the Living Well Sub-Group. She highlighted the work being done to create a training package, hold briefings, promote Co-Production internally and externally, co-produce a Co-Production Charter and create a Cumberland approach. The Co-Production Lead also explained the risks involved and the importance of consultation and feedback.

In considering the report Members raised the following comments and questions:

-        Where were other local authorities in terms of Co-Production.

The Co-Production Lead explained that there was a mix, with some ahead of Cumberland, some still developing their Co-Production and other local authorities who have yet to start development.

-        What was Co-Production in an Adult Social Care context.

The Co-Production Lead clarified that Co-Production was about designing and delivering services with people and that there were three levels; Practice, Service and Strategic, bringing together those with work and lived experience. She explained that it was an ambitious approach to create the right infrastructure to ensure sustainability.

-        How was the Co-Production Vision Statement created and could the Vision Statement be sent to the Committee.

The Co-Production Lead explained that the Co-Production Vision Statement was created through creating a baseline with those with lived experience, with a word café and ideas discussed and agreed to circulate the Vision Statement to Members.

-        What was the voucher scheme and could Cumberland not endorse Amazon through the scheme.

The Co-Production Lead clarified that the vouchers were part of the Value Improvement Policy on how people could be remunerated for their work, some through money and others through vouchers and gift cards, depending on what worked for them. The Co-Production Lead took note of the request to not use Amazon vouchers / gift cards moving forward.

-        Could the link on the Co-Production Ladder be recirculated, and was the Lead post contract length enough to deliver co-production effectively.

The Co-Production Lead agreed to send through the Co-Production Ladder link again. The Assistant Director Housing, Quality and Resources noted that, while they would like to extend the post, the focus was on laying the foundation for Co-Production and creating a commitment within Cumberland.

-        Could a list of those who attended the Co-Production Roundtable be shared and do partners have sufficient resources for the commitment to Co-Production to match Cumberland’s passion.

The Co-Production Lead agreed to provide the Committee with a list of those who attended the Co-Production Roundtable. The Assistant Director Housing, Quality and Resources explained that more work needed to be undertaken to understand the challenges that partners might face and  ...  view the full minutes text for item PEOS.110/24

To receive an update in the use of technology within Care in Cumberland.

The Assistant Director Housing, Quality and Resources provided the Committee with an overview of the report and presentation included within the agenda pack on Technology Enabled Care (TEC). He highlighted the challenges, the different interpretations of TEC in Cumberland, the need for further understanding of the technology available, the concerns raised and the potential risks involved. The Assistant Director Housing, Quality and Resources also commented on the collaborative work undertaken with Cyber Security experts and the Design Authority Board to help reduce the risks involved and the governance process involved.

In considering the report Members raised the following comments and questions:

-        Would the BBC be a potential partner to help with pilot schemes and could the Committee request that the Executive appoint a Councillor to the TEC Board.

The Assistant Director Housing, Quality and Resources noted the request for a Councillor to be appointed to the TEC Board and commented that the BBC would be a good partner to have to help with TEC pilot schemes, but that they would need contacts to help facilitate this.

-        Members discussed the opportunity to be able to trial the technology and speak to service users about their experiences with the technology.

The Assistant Director Housing, Quality and Resources suggested that Councillors be invited to attend a future event to trial the technology being offered to service users, which would allow them to see the technology and speak to services users, to gain further understanding. He also gave an overview of the work being done with Mobilise regarding the development of a self-assessment tool to help reach unpaid carers to improve their experiences.

-        Was there any further information regarding the finance for TEC.

The Assistant Director Housing, Quality and Resources clarified that the only finance information the team had was regarding the amount available for investment into TEC.

-        Members raised concerns regarding the risks TEC may have for service users.

The Assistant Director Housing, Quality and Resources highlighted that he and the rest of the team shared the same concerns regarding risks, but that they were working on developing the technology offer alongside the Home Improvement Agency and introducing the Good Home Hub model to ensure that there was still a personal care offer, as well as the Ethel Care project, which allowed users to see the person that they would be speaking to.

-        Were back up plans in place should there be power outages and would the applications be compatible with Council systems.

The Assistant Director Housing, Quality and Resources confirmed that there were packages of support in place to ensure that there would always be support in places, especially as there were areas within Cumberland that struggled with connectivity and it would be inappropriate to become solely dependent on technology if there was no guarantee of the system working. He then explained that, while there were current issues with compatibility between the council system and the applications, practitioners feedback had been positive. The Assistant Director Housing, Quality  ...  view the full minutes text for item PEOS.111/24

To receive a report by the Strategic Policy and Scrutiny Adviser (copy enclosed).

The Policy and Scrutiny Adviser presented the Committee Update. He highlighted the Forward Plan of Key Decisions, commented on the items on the proposed work programme and confirmed that the suggested items for the work programme discussed under agenda items 6 and 7.

Members discussed and agreed to set up an informal work programme planning session via Teams on 9 April 2025 with calendar invites to be sent out by the Policy and Scrutiny Adviser.

A Member noted that there was an error regarding the Home to School Travel briefing which stated that the session took place in November 2025. The Policy and Scrutiny Adviser agreed to amend the date accordingly to November 2024.

RESOLVED that the People Overview and Scrutiny Committee,

a)    Noted the relevant items on the most recent Forward Plan of Key Decisions as set out in paragraph 6.

b)    Noted the discussion on the committee work programme for the year ahead as set out at Appendix 1 be agreed.

c)     Agreed the date of the workshop to discuss the Committees priorities and work programme for 2025/26 and 2026/27.

d)    Noted the suggested amendment to be made by the Policy and Scrutiny Advisor to show the correct date of the Home to School Travel Briefing.

To note that the next meeting of the Committee will be held on Friday 23 May 2025 at 10:30am in the Bainbridge Room, Copeland Centre, Whitehaven.

RESOLVED that the next scheduled meeting of the People Overview & Scrutiny Committee will be held on 23 May 2025 at 10:30am in the Bainbridge Room, Copeland Centre, Whitehaven.