Decision details

To adopt final versions of the suite of commissioning strategies to form the basis of the Council’s priorities under the portfolio for the coming five years.

(a)       That the strategies as presented, to shape activity for the coming years on the development of the local adult social care system, be adopted.

(b)       That the suggested priorities for co-production work for the coming year be noted.

Reason for the decision

If people were to be able to engage meaningfully with the council about the future of social care, it was important that there was a clear account of the Council’s view on future priorities. This should not be set in stone but having a clear starting point for the discussion was central to the Council’s commitment to involve those who draw on support, its staff, local service providers, and partners. Additionally, it was important that there was a strategy in place that could help to shape the future decisions about the financial frameworks within which social care operates, particularly in the context of the interface with the care market during a period when it is under significant pressure.

Even with further work to be done, this set of documents outlined a current view on the future of care services and some of the priorities for their improvement, stabilisation, and development. The documents also sought to set out some interventions for the management of demand and the improvement of service quality.