The Adult Social Care & Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Thursday 25 June 2026 to discuss progress on tackling obesity in Bexley, an update on direct payments, and adult social care performance levels.

Progress on Obesity

The committee received a comprehensive update on the progress of the Healthy Weight Strategic Partnership Action Plan, which aims to address the significant issue of obesity in Bexley. Dr. Nicole Klynman, Director of Public Health, and Katie Clare, Consultant in Public Health, presented data highlighting that one in four adults and one in five reception-aged children in Bexley are living with obesity, with rates rising to one in three by Year 6. The prevalence of overweight and obesity is notably higher in the most deprived areas of the borough.

Key challenges identified include geographical issues such as limited access to supermarkets and a high density of fast-food outlets in certain areas, particularly in the north and south of the borough. There is also a recognised gap in Tier 2 weight management services for secondary school-aged children and those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Despite these challenges, several initiatives are underway. These include a weight management service for primary school-aged children and adults, a programme for adults with learning disabilities, and the Cook and Eat programme which has seen high engagement and completion rates. The Healthier Catering Commitment initiative is also being reinvigorated to encourage local food businesses to offer healthier options. The committee heard about efforts to promote physical activity through park sessions and an active travel project in the Slade Green School Superzone.

Councillors raised concerns about the low engagement rates with some services, the sustainability of programmes, and the link between mental health and obesity. There was also discussion about the need for a more integrated, whole-council approach to tackling obesity, particularly in relation to planning decisions for fast-food outlets. The committee was informed that Bexley's Tier 2 weight management service for adults has the highest numbers in South East London, despite overall low engagement figures.

Update on Direct Payments

Ms. Deborah Dennehy provided an update on the progress made in supporting residents to take up direct payments for their care needs. Direct payments offer individuals greater choice and control over how their care is commissioned and delivered. Bexley has historically benchmarked lower than national and London averages for direct payment uptake.

Following recommendations from an Overview and Scrutiny Committee subgroup in 2022-2023, several actions have been implemented. These include co-producing a guide on acceptable spending for direct payments, launching the Your life, your choice care finder website and Connected Bexley community directory, and commissioning a Direct Payment Support Service (DPSS) in partnership with local voluntary organisations. Training for frontline staff has also been enhanced to improve confidence in explaining and promoting direct payments.

These efforts have led to a demonstrable increase in direct payment uptake. The ASCOF 3D (2a) measure, which tracks the proportion of people receiving community support who receive direct payments, increased from 18.1% in October 2022 to 25.1% by May 2026. Bexley's performance now benchmarks favourably against London and peer group averages. The committee was reassured that direct payments are not being pushed as a default option and that commissioned services remain available for those who prefer them.

Adult Social Care: Performance Levels, User Feedback and Satisfaction Levels

The committee reviewed feedback on adult social care services, including data from complaints, compliments, the Adult Social Care survey, and the carer survey. Councillor Janice Ward-Wilson, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, presented her feedback on recommendations made by the committee in March 2026.

A key theme emerging from discussions was the importance of supporting carers, with a focus on preventing burnout and providing accessible information. The committee noted that Bexley's overall client satisfaction figure is lower than the England national average, and efforts are underway to understand and address this. The report highlighted the strong partnership working with the voluntary sector, though concerns were raised about the sector's capacity being limited by funding.

Recommendations from the committee included the development of a carer's welcome/information pack in accessible formats, scaling up peer support systems for carers, establishing a permanent feedback loop for lived experiences to inform contract monitoring and development, and regular reporting on progress against quality improvement plans. The Cabinet Member confirmed that these recommendations are being actively pursued.

Work Programme

The committee discussed its work programme for the year ahead. Potential items for scrutiny include revisiting outreach to underserved communities, the model for dementia nursing and community-based dementia care, planned digital switchover, expanding social opportunities, and progress against the Health and Wellbeing strategy. The committee also reviewed the Bexley Status Report for Quarter 4 2025/26, noting performance data and identifying areas for potential further scrutiny. A discussion also took place regarding the allocation of Section 106 funding towards NHS provision, with officers agreeing to research and provide a more detailed answer to the committee. The committee also heard positive feedback from Councillor Steven Hall regarding a reality checking visit to a care home, highlighting the value of such visits for service improvement.