The Scrutiny Committee of the Council of the Isles of Scilly met on Friday 12 June 2026 to discuss several key areas. The meeting's agenda included updates on the Children's Services Improvement Plan, the proposed adoption of a 5-year Community Risk Management Plan for the Fire & Rescue Service, the ongoing housing crisis, and an update on the Integrated Health Facility and Adult Care Services.

Progress Update on Children's Services Improvement Plan

The committee was scheduled to consider a report detailing the progress of the Children's Services Improvement Plan. This plan was developed following an Ofsted assessment that judged Children's Services as inadequate in 2023. The report was intended to provide a summary of progress against actions taken, highlight areas of risk, and present a more realistic assessment of current performance. The plan focuses on four core themes: The Right Help at the Right Time, Child's Voice and Social Work Practice, Effective Services and Provision, and Leadership, Management and Quality Assurance. The report indicated that revisions to the plan had led to a downgrading of many progress ratings, with 43.5% of actions rated as 'Red' (little or no progress/at risk) and 46.15% as 'Amber' (work started/timescale at risk) in April 2026, compared to February 2026 figures which showed 0% 'Red' and 23.7% 'Amber'. Key areas of progress noted included improvements in safeguarding practice, multi-agency working, and the establishment of a permanent leadership structure. However, the report also highlighted financial implications, with the continued reliance on agency staffing being a significant cost driver, and acknowledged the need for careful financial monitoring to support the improvement agenda. The legal implications were noted as being governed by the Children Act 1989, the Children Act 2004, the Children and Families Act 2014, and the statutory guidance 'Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026'.¹

Isles of Scilly Fire & Rescue Service - Proposal to Adopt a 5-Year Community Risk Management Plan

The committee was scheduled to discuss a proposal for the Isles of Scilly Fire & Rescue Service (IOSFRS) to adopt a 5-year Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP), moving away from the current 3-year cycle. This change is intended to align with national frameworks and offers benefits such as improved strategic planning, greater stability and continuity, efficiency gains through reduced frequency of full reviews, and better alignment with external partners who often operate on longer-term planning cycles. The Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 and the National Framework for Fire and Rescue Services require Fire and Rescue Authorities to identify and assess community risks and outline mitigation strategies through a CRMP. The report indicated that the CRMP would be produced and delivered in-house by IOSFRS to ensure local knowledge and expertise are utilised, avoiding external consultancy costs. The proposal recommended that Full Council approve the transition to a 5-year CRMP. Financial implications stated that the development would be undertaken within existing resources, delivering financial efficiencies by avoiding external consultancy. Legal implications confirmed that the move to a 5-year CRMP remains compliant with the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 and the National Framework, provided the plan is subject to regular review.

Housing Delivery: Update on Housing Crisis

The meeting was scheduled to receive an update on the housing crisis declared by the Council in January 2022. The report aimed to outline the current situation regarding housing need and the delivery of new homes. The Local Plan identifies a requirement for approximately 105 new homes between 2015 and 2030. However, between 2013 and 2026, while permission was granted for 75 homes, only 26 had commenced or been completed. The report detailed social housing needs, with the housing register showing a current need for 41 homes (35 one-bed, 6 two-bed). A self-build register also listed 41 individuals. An updated Housing and Economic Needs Assessment (HENA) report, commissioned as part of a review of the local plan, highlighted that local needs are not met, with housing being the single biggest factor affecting community stability, public service continuity, and economic resilience. The report detailed issues such as damp, mould, overcrowding, reliance on short-term accommodation, and hidden homelessness, with one island reporting 15-20 workers living in tents during the summer season. The report also provided a summary of progress on various housing delivery sites, including the Carn Thomas Secondary School site for social rented homes, land adjacent to Ennor Farm for self-builds, and the Park House redevelopment. Homes England is identified as a key provider of grant funding for new social housing.

Update on Integrated Health Facility and Adult Care Services

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the 'Isles of Scilly Health and Care Partnership', a new integrated health and social care facility due for completion in 2026. This development aims to modernise service delivery through an integrated model of care, bringing together multidisciplinary teams to provide coordinated, person-centred services. Weekly Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) meetings are held with health, social care, and medical services to share information, assess risk, and coordinate care planning. A shared co-working space at Carn Gwaval has been established to foster collaboration between Adult and Children's Services. Once operational, Social Care staff will also work from the new facility, enhancing collaboration with primary care and medical teams. The report also addressed the transition to 'Islands' View', the new purpose-built residential care home, which experienced delays due to a CQC inspection in March 2026. A revised CQC application was submitted on 1 June 2026.

Regarding Adult Care Services, the report highlighted the significant ageing demographic on the Isles of Scilly, with a rising prevalence of dementia and complex care needs. Park House, the current care home, operates at full capacity, and Islands' View is expected to replicate this. The report detailed the current service provision, including social and domiciliary care services, and residential care at Park House. Key considerations included the workforce, with approximately 50% of staff being interim agency workers, which is not financially sustainable. A review of pay levels is underway to attract local individuals, and Park House is to be repurposed as staff accommodation. The potential development of a day service at Islands' View was considered but found not to meet CQC requirements due to limited space. The report also noted that due to full occupancy, there is no flexibility for respite or emergency admissions at the new care home, requiring mainland arrangements. Dementia care was also discussed, with Islands' View registered for mild to moderate dementia but not advanced dementia requiring specialist provision. The report acknowledged that community expectations of care services exceed current capacity and that a clear, realistic local offer is being developed. Financial implications highlighted the high cost of agency staffing, with a review of provider arrangements and potential for improved remuneration for permanent roles. Legal implications included ensuring compliance with the Care Act 2014, the Mental Health Act, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, the Mental Capacity Act, CQC Standards, and safeguarding legislation.