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Weekly updates

Bexley Council: Key Decisions on Adult Social Care and Primary Care Recovery

This week, Bexley Council held several meetings, with the most notable being the Adult Social Care & Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday, 25 June 2024. The committee discussed key updates on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) Assurance Program, the Care at Home Transformation, and the Primary Care Recovery Plans.

Care Quality Commission Assurance Program

The committee received an update on Bexley's self-assessment and action plan for the Care Quality Commission (CQC) assurance program. The report highlighted the council's progress in areas such as integration with health partners and safeguarding adults. However, it also identified areas needing improvement, including personalization of care and addressing gaps in services like extra care sheltered accommodation. The committee agreed that the Assurance Program Inspection Readiness Group would undertake a revised self-assessment every quarter to ensure continuous improvement.

Care at Home Transformation

The committee also reviewed the ongoing Care at Home Transformation project, which aims to improve the quality of home care services by reducing the number of providers and focusing on personalized care. The committee noted that while progress has been made, there is still work to be done in fully implementing the geographical financial model. The committee emphasized the importance of robust quality monitoring and contingency plans to address any potential provider failures.

Primary Care Recovery Plans

The Primary Care Recovery Plans Subgroup presented its report, which included six recommendations to improve primary care access in Bexley. The committee agreed to forward the recommendations to the NHS for consideration and to monitor the implementation of these recommendations. Key points discussed included the disparity in the quality of GP services across the borough and the importance of not over-relying on digital solutions, given the digital exclusion faced by some residents.

Members' Staffing Panel

The Members' Staffing Panel met on Monday, 24 June 2024, to discuss the appointment of a new Deputy Director of Adult Social Care (ASC) for Bexley Council. The panel agreed to delegate the authority to appoint to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chair. This decision aims to expedite the recruitment process and ensure the timely appointment of a suitable candidate.

The proposed approach will allow the recruitment process to be progressed in a timely and efficient manner, and it is considered to represent best value.

Other Meetings

Other meetings held this week included the Pensions Committee on Monday, 24 June 2024, the Bexley Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) on Wednesday, 26 June 2024, the Planning Committee on Thursday, 27 June 2024, and the Cabinet Committee on Thursday, 27 June 2024. Unfortunately, we have not been able to find video broadcasts or transcripts for these meetings.

Understanding the workings of local government is crucial for residents. The discussions and decisions made in these meetings directly impact the quality of services provided, from adult social care to primary healthcare. The emphasis on continuous improvement, robust monitoring, and strategic planning highlights the council's commitment to addressing the needs of its residents effectively.

For more details, you can refer to the minutes of the Adult Social Care & Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting.

Key Decisions on Bexley Schools Funding and Budget for 2024-25

This week, the Bexley Council held several meetings, with the most impactful being the Bexley Schools Forum on Monday, 17 June 2024. The forum made key decisions on the Schools Block Funding Formula, Early Years Funding Formula, and the overall schools budget for 2024-25, including high needs.

Schools Block Funding Formula

The forum approved the proposed unit values and the growth fund budget unanimously. Officers provided an update on the funding formula for mainstream schools and academies, detailing annual funding, pupil data comparisons, and the impact at individual school levels. A significant point of discussion was the year-on-year rise in reception intake in the Thamesmead cluster, which is contrary to the national trend. The need to cap admission numbers officially was also highlighted.

Early Years Funding Formula

The forum also approved the proposed funding formulae and draft budget for the early years block. This included changes to free entitlement, estimated allocations for the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), and the speech and language supplement informed by census data. Officers noted that plans for a small capital allocation need to be submitted to the Department for Education (DfE) by June.

Overall Schools Budget 2024-25 Including High Needs

The discussion on the overall schools budget included an update on the Safety Valve agreement, which aims to manage the expected level of accumulated deficit on the DSG. The forum expressed concerns about the accuracy of forecasting and the implications of the Safety Valve process failing, especially given the updated adverse variance of £1.261m for the high needs budget.

Safety Valve Update

Officers reported that all three Safety Valve reports for 2023-24 had been submitted to the DfE, with funding received for two and the third payment expected by the end of February. The procurement process for Shenstone School had been successfully concluded. There was also a discussion on the appropriateness of the Talk Boost programme for students with English as an additional language (EAL).

Any Other Business

Concerns were raised about the 10% vacancy rate in current commissioned places and pupils. Officers agreed to follow up with the Special Education Needs and/or Disability (SEND) Management Team. Additionally, the outcome of the SEND local area inspection by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission is awaited.

For more details, you can refer to the minutes of the meeting.

Other meetings held this week included the Licensing Sub-Committee on Wednesday, 19 June 2024, and the Bexley Health and Wellbeing Board on Thursday, 20 June 2024. Unfortunately, we have not been able to find video broadcasts of these meetings.

Understanding the workings of local government is crucial for residents. The Bexley Schools Forum's decisions on funding formulas and budgets directly impact the quality of education and resources available to our children. The forum's discussions on the Safety Valve agreement and high needs budget highlight the complexities of managing public funds and the importance of accurate forecasting and strategic planning.

Progress and Challenges: Bexley Council's Decisions on LGBT+ Education, Housing, and Transportation

This week, Bexley Council convened for a significant Council meeting on Wednesday, 24 April 2024, addressing three pivotal issues: LGBT+ inclusive education, housing pressures, and local transportation improvements.

LGBT+ Inclusive Education

The council unanimously supported the implementation of LGBT+ inclusive relationships and sex education. This decision aligns with government guidance and underscores a commitment to fostering an accepting educational environment. The emphasis was on updating policies to reflect current societal values, aiming to provide a supportive atmosphere for all students. This move is a clear indicator of the council's progressive stance on inclusivity and diversity.

Housing Pressures

The discussion on housing revolved around the ongoing crisis, particularly the scarcity of affordable options and the impact of asylum seekers and refugees on local housing availability. The council acknowledged these issues but opted to sustain current arrangements, indicating no new initiatives are on the horizon. This decision may lead to continued strain on local housing resources, suggesting a need for a more strategic approach in future deliberations.

Transportation Improvements

The council also discussed transportation, specifically the introduction of the Superloop bus service and potential extensions of the DLR to Belvedere. These improvements are aimed at enhancing public transport connectivity, which is vital for economic development and reducing traffic congestion. The proactive stance on transportation reflects the council's commitment to improving infrastructure within the borough.

The Licensing Sub-Committee also met this week, but details are pending as the meeting notes have not yet been summarized.

This week's council meeting was a blend of progressive decisions and ongoing challenges, with a notable moment of unity across political lines, particularly on the issue of LGBT+ inclusive education. This theme of inclusivity, paired with the pragmatic approach to housing and transportation, will likely shape the council's agenda in the coming months.

Recent meetings
General Purposes and Audit Committee

General Purposes and Audit Committee - Thursday, 26th September, 2024 7.30 pm

We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.

September 26, 2024
Pensions Committee

Pensions Committee - Wednesday, 25th September, 2024 7.30 pm

We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.

September 25, 2024
Licensing Sub-Committee POSTPONED

Licensing Sub-Committee - Monday, 23rd September, 2024 2.30 pm

This meeting has been postponed.

September 23, 2024
Members' Code of Conduct Committee CANCELLED

Members' Code of Conduct Committee - Thursday, 19th September, 2024 7.30 pm

This meeting has been cancelled.

September 19, 2024
Bexley Health and Wellbeing Board

Bexley Health and Wellbeing Board - Thursday, 19th September, 2024 2.30 pm

We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.

September 19, 2024
Planning Committee CANCELLED

Planning Committee - Thursday, 5th September, 2024 7.00 pm

This meeting has been cancelled.

September 05, 2024
Safety Valve Early Intervention and Support Programme Scrutiny Project Sub-Group

Safety Valve Early Intervention and Support Programme Scrutiny Project Sub-Group - Monday, 2nd September, 2024 7.00 pm

We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.

September 02, 2024
Constitution

Constitution - Monday, 12th August, 2024

We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.

August 12, 2024
Planning Committee

Planning Committee - Thursday, 1st August, 2024 7.00 pm

The notes from this meeting have not yet been summarised.

August 01, 2024
General Purposes and Audit Committee

General Purposes and Audit Committee - Tuesday, 30th July, 2024 7.30 pm

We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.

July 30, 2024
Upcoming meetings

No meetings found.