Agenda and draft minutes

Also in attendance:-

In the absence of the Chair and Vice?Chair it was unanimously agreed that Councillor Williamson would be the Chair for this meeting only.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from councillors Fryer, Hinton and Lynch together with Ms J Scattergood, Director of Health and Care Integration for South Cumbria Place (Mr N Hearn attended as substitute), Ms A Barker, Deputy Delivery Director (North Cumbria) North East North Cumbria ICB, Director of Public Health and Communities (Cumberland Council) and the Director of Adult Social Care and Housing (Cumberland Council).

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.

Mr D Blacklock, Chief Executive Officer – Healthwatch Cumberland declared a non?pecuniary interest in agenda item no 5 – New Community Wellbeing Hub (The Hope Haven), West Cumbria (referred to in minute HW.39/24) as he was the Interim Chief Executive of Well Communities.

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 be not excluded for any item of business on this occasion.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 13 December 2024 (copy enclosed). 

RESOLVED,   that the minutes of the meeting held on 13 December 2024 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To consider a report by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (copy enclosed).

The Board considered a report which provided an update on the new community wellbeing hub (The Hope Haven) in West Cumbria.  Members were informed this was a multi?agency collaborative service which supported the community by promoting mental wellbeing 24/7 where people would be able to access support for mental health experiences and help to identify what areas may trigger or drive their mental health distress.

The Board was informed that the clinical offer would be delivered without traditional team and service boundaries, but instead, tailored around the needs and priorities of each individual.  Members were advised that the model would acknowledge level of risk, choice, ownership and would aim to connect the person within their community to achieve improved mental wellbeing and citizenship.

Members welcomed the model which would provide support by numerous local partner services that historically had sat in silos and outwith mental health services.

The Board was advised that in line with Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW) “With you in Mind” Strategy (and to help support moving away from traditional language and pathways), the concept of “Your Choice” had been developed with the aim to empower the person presenting with the mental health condition to choose what they were initially seeking and noted that a further area of support available would be access to four short?term mixed gender ‘hospitality’ beds.

A discussion took place regarding the availability of four short?term beds and it was confirmed that the facility would be available for over 18 year olds and that under 18s would be part of a joint partnership working within the Family Hub.  It was agreed that a further discussion would take place with the Director of Children and Family Wellbeing regarding future mental health support for children.

Members were supportive of the idea that individuals who were unable to attend Hope Haven could receive support and intervention in their home.  The Board welcomed improved access by the provision of education, drop?in support and activities to promote wellbeing also being available within the community at local centres and village halls.

The Board was informed that a bespoke system would be established which would mean that a support team would be assigned to an individual to prevent them having to explain their situation several times.  Whilst the significant challenges regarding data protection were acknowledged members were informed an impact assessment had been undertaken to allow information to be shared.

Members were informed of the high prevalence of addiction, debt and housing needs in the Copeland area and the importance of key partners and partnerships across communities to provide help and support was highlighted. 

A discussion took place regarding future use of the Yewdale Ward which was an acute mental health inpatient unit based at West Cumberland Hospital.  The Associate Director, CNTW explained it was hoped access to the Service would be reduced due to early interventions.

Whilst the Board welcomed the possible reduction in admissions to the Yewdale Ward  ...  view the full minutes text for item HW.39/24

To consider a report by the Director of Children and Family Wellbeing (copy enclosed).

The Board considered a report which provided an update on several areas which related to SEND.

Members received details of the current position and were informed that the number of Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment requests had risen from a monthly average of 36 per month in 2019 to 64 requests per month in the 2024-25 academic year.

The Board was also advised that Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) had increased in Cumberland by 9.1% in the last 12 months with the figure, when writing the report, standing at 2,952.  Members noted that the national figures for 2024 had not yet been released, however, this was marginally below the figure for 2023 (11.5%).

A discussion took place regarding the high caseloads of the Team and members raised their concerns about each Officer currently carrying an approximate caseload of 300 pupils in comparison to circa 200 per Officer in other local authorities. 

Members were informed that Cumberland Council currently had the highest caseload per co?ordinator of any north-west authority and that emergency agency staff had been approved, and were expected to begin work after the Easter break, to deal with the demand.

Members were informed that further work was also underway to consider a dedicated, digitised (and more automated) EHC system and the incorporation of artificial intelligence in generating first drafts of plans.  Officers anticipated that combined with increased staffing levels, it was hoped that this would address the Council’s ability to handle the ever-growing demand for EHCPs.

The Assistant Director – Education, SEND & Inclusion highlighted the workforce capacity challenges due to the rise in demand and informed members that five temporary plan writers would join the Team.

The Board received an update on the Cumberland SEND and Alternative Provision Strategic Partnership Strategy for 2024-2028 and noted the six priorities.

Members were informed that work was ongoing to strengthen the delivery plan with partners to ensure that each priority area could be delivered.  The Assistant Director – Education, SEND & Inclusion advised that SEND Delivery Plans did not consistently demonstrate the link between action and impact and that through the development of the Strategy and current Plan, clear success criteria had been defined.

The Board received details regarding the preparation for inspection noting that business?as?usual partnership preparation for inspection groups were embedded and operated at pace with a key focus on multi?agency audits.

Members were informed that delivery of the legacy SEND Accelerated Progress Plan was reviewed by partners and it looked to deliver improvements across two areas, namely improving the trust and faith of parents and carers in the local area’s work and strengthening the local area’s approach to supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of children and young people with SEND, particularly those who were autistic. 

The Board welcomed that the Department for Education and NHS England advisors, alongside partners, had decided that formal review of the APP was no longer appropriate.  Members were advised that instead it had been agreed  ...  view the full minutes text for item HW.40/24

To consider a report by the Director of Adult Social Care and Housing (copy enclosed).

Members considered a report which included a copy of the Better Care Fund (BCF) Quarter 3 report that was submitted to NHS England on 14 February 2025 and which supported local systems to successfully deliver the integration of health and social care in a way that supported person?centred care, sustainability and better outcomes for people and carers.

The Service Manager, Commissioning and Procurement highlighted that the Community Equipment Service, which sat within BCF Prevention, was forecast to overspend by £386,000 by the end of the financial year.  Members were informed that the Cumbria Joint Commissioning Board was reviewing expenditure against other schemes in line with the risk share provisions contained within the Section 75 Agreement.

A discussion took place regarding performance against the avoidable admissions, discharge to normal place of residence and residential admissions.  The Board raised its concerns regarding performance against the Falls metric which was judged as not on track to meet the target performance levels set out in the Plan.

Members were informed that North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board had advised in the quarter 3 submission to NHS England that work was ongoing with the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) to review how they could improve access to the Urgent Community Response service for non-injurous falls and reduce hospital admissions.

The Board noted that the Deputy Delivery Director (North Cumbria) North East North Cumbria ICB had advised that the development of the community falls pathway had been problematic to move forward at pace but giving NWAS access to the Urgent Community Response Team continued to be a priority.

Members agreed that the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board provide an update on Falls at the next meeting of the Board in June.

RESOLVED,   that the content of the BCF Quarter 3 report submitted to NHS England on 14 February 2025 (detailed in Appendix 1 of the report) be approved and adopted.

To consider a report by the Director of Adult Social Care and Housing (copy enclosed).

Members considered a report which sought approval from the Cumberland Health and Wellbeing Board to note and agree in principle the high-level Better Care Fund (BCF) schemes which would be reflected in Cumberland’s 2025-26 BCF Plan and to delegate the approval of the final 2025-26 BCF Plan to the Director of Adult Social Care and Housing, in consultation with the Chair of the Cumberland Health and Wellbeing Board and the portfolio holder for Adults and Community Health.

The Board was informed that the BCF programme supported local systems to successfully deliver the integration of health and social care in a way that supported person-centred care, sustainability and better outcomes for people and carers.

Members were advised that the BCF planning requirements 2025-26 (the “national planning requirements”) set out the planning requirements for BCF submissions in 2025-26 and noted what would need to be submitted for assessment.

The Service Manager, Commissioning and Procurement informed the Board that the national planning requirements needed submission of 2025-26 BCF Plans by 31 March 2025.  However, due to the unique local circumstances detailed in the report, NHS England had suggested an extension to the submission deadline for both Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness Health and Wellbeing boards.

Members noted the Cumberland BCF schemes for 2025-26 and received confirmation that Advocacy in its entirety had always been included in the schemes.

RESOLVED,   that

                          (1)          the Cumberland’s proposed BCF schemes for 2025-26 (as set out in the report) be noted and agreed in principle;

                          (2)          authority to agree and submit the final 2025?26 BCF Plan to NHS England and Department of Health and Social Care be delegated to the Director of Adult Social Care and Housing, in consultation with the Chair of the Cumberland Health and Wellbeing Board and the portfolio holder for Adults and Community Health;

                          (3)          authority to agree any virements and amendments to the expenditure lines, schemes, metrics and other national reporting requirements within the final 2025?26 BCF Plan, following any reviews of specific areas of the Better Care Fund be delegated to the Director of Adult Social Care and Housing, in consultation with the Cumbria Joint Commissioning Board;

                          (4)          authority to make amendments to the Narrative submission and the Capacity and Demand Plan following feedback received as part of the Regional or National BCF assurance processes be delegated to the Senior Manager – Strategic Planning Review and Commissioning (the Cumberland HWB Better Care Manager).  Any substantial changes requiring amendments to the expenditure lines, schemes, metrics or other national reporting requirements will be referred back to the Director of Adult Social Care and Housing (as set out in recommendation (3) above);

                          (5)          authority to agree the submission of quarterly BCF reports be delegated to the Director of Adult Social Care and Housing, in consultation with the Cumbria Joint Commissioning Board.  Following submission, quarterly reports will be presented to the Cumberland HWB at the next available meeting for information.

(The meeting adjourned at 11.50 am and reconvened at 12 noon when  ...  view the full minutes text for item HW.42/24

To consider a report from the Independent Chair, Cumbria Safeguarding Adults Board (copy enclosed).

The Board received the Cumbria Safeguarding Adults Board (CSAB) Annual Report 2023?24 and presentation which outlined the key achievements and future plans of the CSAB for the year 2023?24 and reflected on the commitment to safeguarding adults at risk as well as highlighting the collaborative efforts of various organisations. 

Members were informed that the CSAB was dedicated to safeguarding adults at risk and promoting their well-being.  Officers emphasised the importance of partnership working among various organisations to ensure effective safeguarding practices.  The Board noted this comprised of statutory partners along with members drawn from across the wider system involved in the protection of adults at risk.

The Board received details of the structure and the four main key objectives for delivery during the 5-Year Strategic Plan.  Officers advised that the delivery of objectives was through the structure of sub?groups and supported by an annual business plan to ensure CSAB was responsive to local needs.

Members noted the key achievements of the sub-groups who worked to deliver the Business Plan and welcomed the aim to raise awareness of safeguarding by a number of various methods.

The Board was presented with data on activity over the year which included details of information presented to Adult Social Care and what progressed to safeguarding for further information gathering and those which converted to a section 42 safeguarding enquiry. 

A discussion took place regarding the data for both Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness councils and members highlighted how this differed between the organisations.  It was suggested that a further, more detailed discussion, took place with the Director of Social Care and Housing on this matter.

The Board drew attention to abuse cases in residential nursing homes and asked how the figure compared to the national average.  The Independent Chair of CSAB advised that this compared well with the national average whilst highlighting that all incidents in a nursing home would be reported compared to those in the home of individuals which did not need to be announced.

The Business Manager – CSAB advised that a number of hospital trusts had formed their own safeguarding teams, therefore, triage took place before it was deemed necessary to escalate a concern to an appropriate Adults Safeguarding Board.

The Board welcomed the ‘See it, Report it, Stop it’ posters which had been disseminated from the Communication and Engagement Sub?Group and highlighted the importance of all communities being professionally curious.

Members were informed that looking ahead the goal was to include the continuation to protect adults at risk, understanding emerging themes in safeguarding and ensuring that safeguarding remained a top priority for all stakeholders involved. 

Officers advised that as they approached the end of the 2024/25 Business Plan a review of progress would be commenced and reported back to CSAB and that this, together with the recommendations from Safeguard Adult Reviews during the year, would inform the 2025/26 Business Plan.

The Chair, on behalf of members, thanked officers for their update and agreed that the Annual Report  ...  view the full minutes text for item HW.43/24

To note that the next meeting of the Board will be held on Friday 27 June 2025 at 10.30 am in the Council Chamber, Allerdale House, Workington. CA14 3YJ.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Board would be held on Friday 27 June 2025 at 10.30 am in the Council Chamber, Allerdale House, Workington. CA14 3YJ.