The Adult Care and Public Health Scrutiny Committee of Lincolnshire Council met on Wednesday 23 September 2026. The meeting focused on the Care Quality Commission's (CQC) assessment of adult social care services, the proposed extension of the Disabled Facilities Grant Works Framework, and the committee's performance framework for 2026-27.

Adult Social Care – Care Quality Commission (CQC) Assurance Update

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the Care Quality Commission's (CQC) assessment of Lincolnshire County Council's adult social care functions. Martin Samuels, Executive Director for Adult Care and Community Wellbeing, presented an update on the assessment, which was published on 13 August 2026. The report rated Lincolnshire County Council as Requires Improvement with an overall score of 62%, just shy of the 63% threshold for a Good rating.

Mr. Samuels detailed the process, including the council's submission of 120 pages of factual accuracy comments and the subsequent receipt of a revised report. However, the council identified further issues and formally requested a review from the CQC. The CQC responded on 7 September 2026, stating they would not undertake a review, despite acknowledging administrative errors. The council has since taken legal advice and sent a formal legal letter to the CQC.

Mr. Samuels emphasised that the CQC assessment did not conclude that frontline practitioners were delivering poor practice. Instead, the report highlighted strengths in areas such as safeguarding, positive staff culture, and leadership. Areas for improvement primarily related to consistency, accessibility, pathway clarity, market capacity, transitions, co-production feedback loops, governance, and evidence of impact. Many of these areas are already being addressed through the Adults Improvement Programme (AIP).

Councillor Maggie Cullen expressed disappointment with the CQC's lack of progress and the perceived contradiction in their statements. Councillor Christopher John Reeve questioned the practical changes visible to service users regarding safeguarding and sought clarification on improvements. Councillor Mrs Marianne Jane Overton MBE inquired about similar situations in other councils and the cost implications of the ongoing dispute. Mr. Samuels confirmed that while other councils have raised concerns and some have initiated legal action, Lincolnshire's situation is not unique. He also noted that the CQC report is complimentary about the council's adult improvement programme, indicating that the council is doing the right things.

The committee resolved to note the published CQC outcome, the impact of the factual accuracy process, the identified strengths and areas for improvement, and the CQC's response to the review request. They also agreed that the CQC report would be shared with members once published and that a more in-depth review would be scheduled within the committee's work programme.

Disabled Facilities Grant Works Framework Extension

The committee considered a report on the proposed extension of the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) Works Framework. This framework, established by Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) on behalf of Lincolnshire's District Councils, enables them to access contractors for home adaptations for disabled residents. The current framework expires on 31 March 2027, and due to uncertainty surrounding Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Lincolnshire, the preference of the District Councils was to extend the current framework.

The report explained that a two-year extension would not be permissible under Public Procurement Regulations, and a full retender would be too time-consuming. Therefore, the recommendation was to extend the existing framework for 12 months to 31 March 2028, allowing time to plan and implement future delivery arrangements. This extension has no direct financial impact on LCC, as funding is provided through grant funding allocated to each District Council. The committee was asked to review and scrutinise the report, with their comments to be reported to the Executive.

Scrutiny Committee Performance Framework 2026-27 Quarter 1

Martin Samuels presented the Scrutiny Committee Performance Framework for 2026-27 as at Quarter 1. The report summarised performance against key indicators for Adult Social Care and Public Health.

For Adult Social Care, all reportable measures at Quarter 1 were either achieving or exceeding their targets. Performance was particularly strong in safeguarding, with 98.8% of people asked about their desired outcomes during safeguarding enquiries and 96% of concluded enquiries achieving desired outcomes. Admissions to residential and nursing care for older adults were also within target, showing a decrease from the previous reported position. Reablement services continued to support independence, with 95.2% of people requiring no further ongoing support after receiving reablement. Hospital discharge outcomes also remained above target.

In Public Health and Community Wellbeing, two of the three indicators met or exceeded targets. The number of alcohol users successfully completing specialist treatment exceeded the target by 69.6%. Over 89,000 residents received an NHS Health Check, meeting the target. While the smoking quit target was not achieved, performance remained strong in comparison to other areas.

The committee considered and commented on the report, supporting the recommendations to the Executive Councillor. Councillor Karen Elizabeth Lee wished her abstention to be noted.

Adult Care and Public Health Scrutiny Committee - Work Programme

Kiara Chatziioannou, Health Scrutiny Officer, presented the committee's work programme for 2026 and beyond. Members reviewed the proposed items, which included updates on the CQC assessment, the DFG contract extension, and quarterly performance reports. The committee also discussed potential future inclusions, such as a deep dive into working-age adult mental health social care services, the Adult Social Care Improvement Programme, substance misuse services, and weight management/obesity prevention. The work programme was approved, subject to consideration of matters raised during the meeting.

The meeting also included standard announcements by the Chairman, Councillor Jimmy Brooks, and the Executive Councillor for Adult Care and Health, Councillor S Clegg. Mr. Samuels also provided an update on the Short Breaks consultation, noting that 318 responses had been received and were being analysed.