The Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny Panel met on Tuesday 23 June 2026 to receive overview presentations on the work of the North East North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, Public Health South Tees, and Adult Social Care. The Panel also discussed and agreed its work programme for the 2026-2027 municipal year, including the selection of future scrutiny investigation topics.

Overview Presentations from Key Health and Social Care Bodies

The Panel received comprehensive presentations from three key organisations outlining their priorities, challenges, and strategic plans for the upcoming year.

North East North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB)

Claire Jones and Sue Lightwing, officers from the ICB, presented an overview of the organisation's strategic direction. The ICB's five-year strategic commissioning plan is focused on delivering longer, healthier, and fairer lives by emphasising prevention, tackling health inequalities, and addressing the root causes of poor health. Key priority areas include healthy weight and obesity, alcohol and tobacco dependence, and reducing inequalities through the Core20PLUS5 initiative. The presentation highlighted the role of Integrated Neighbourhood Health as a mechanism for transforming services, shifting focus from hospital-based care to community-based, preventative services. Members raised concerns about access to NHS dentistry in Middlesbrough, and were informed that investment was being made to improve urgent dental access. The Panel noted the presentation.

Public Health South Tees

Mark Adams, Joint Director of Public Health for South Tees, presented the key priorities for Public Health South Tees for 2026/27. The focus remains on creating healthy environments, giving children and young people the best start in life, ill-health prevention, mental health and emotional wellbeing, health protection, and supporting vulnerable people. The presentation detailed various programmes and projects, including initiatives on healthy weight, physical activity, smoking cessation, alcohol harm reduction, and sexual health. Members sought clarification on breastfeeding rates, which were reported to have improved. Concerns were also raised regarding syphilis testing in pregnancy and smoking in hospital settings, with assurances that work was ongoing to address these issues. The Panel noted the presentation.

Adult Social Care

Louise Grabham, Corporate Director of Adult Social Care and Health, provided an overview of the service's priorities for 2026/27. These include preparation for Care Quality Commission inspections, progression of the Adult Social Care improvement plan, and enhancing data quality. The presentation also covered ongoing work in areas such as support for unpaid carers, digital inclusion, co-production, and the development of technology-enabled care. Key challenges identified included financial pressures, provider market sufficiency, and workforce capacity. Members discussed the potential role of Regional Care Cooperatives, noting that adult social care operates within a different context. Support for unpaid carers was detailed, including peer support groups and a 24-hour online service. The Panel noted the presentation.

Setting the Scrutiny Work Programme 2026/2027

The Panel considered a report outlining its proposed work programme for the 2026–2027 municipal year. Following the overview presentations, Members discussed potential scrutiny investigation topics. Councillor John Kabuye, Chair of the Panel, advised that the Panel should aim to select one topic relating to Public Health and one relating to Adult Social Care. Several potential topics were shortlisted for further consideration, and it was agreed that more information would be provided to support a future decision.

The Panel agreed to:

• Note the draft work programme for the 2026–2027 municipal year.
• Incorporate any additional overview presentations required into the work programme.
• Receive further information on the shortlisted Scrutiny Investigation Topics for future consideration.
• Submit the finalised work programme to the Overview and Scrutiny Board for approval.

Proposed Schedule of Meeting Dates 2026/2027

The Panel also agreed to note the proposed schedule of meeting dates for the Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny Panel for the 2026/27 municipal year.