The Adult Social Care, Health and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Tuesday 13 October 2026 to discuss pressures on primary care and GP services, the Community Safety Partnership's annual report, and the implementation of the council's Technology Enabled Care and Digital Strategy. Key discussions included the challenges of population growth impacting GP services, strategies for tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, and the integration of technology into adult social care.

Primary Care and GP Pressures

The committee received an update from Julie Lemmy, Director of Primary Care for LNR ICBs, and Maria Laffin, Chief Nurse, LNR Cluster ICB, regarding the significant pressures facing primary care and GP services in Northamptonshire. They acknowledged that access to GP services is difficult, a situation exacerbated by population growth. The ICB is working closely with West Northamptonshire Council's planning teams to ensure health services are considered in new planning applications.

Councillor Pinder Chauhan raised concerns about how different areas are prioritised for GP service investment and how pressure is being alleviated from hospitals. The ICB explained a complex prioritisation system that considers existing premises, projected growth, and metrics including quality and deprivation. They also highlighted the work of the primary secondary care interface group and the urgent and emergency care board in improving pathways and care coordination.

Councillor Rosie Herring raised concerns about the impact of a proposed 3,000-home development near Brackley Medical Centre and questioned the funding model for health infrastructure, suggesting a chimney pot by chimney pot contribution for new housing. She also enquired about the status of government funding for diagnostic hubs, with two already built in Corby and Kings Heath, and plans for a third near Wellingborough.

Councillor Anthony Owens expressed significant concern about the ICB's long-term plans for GP services, noting a reduction in GP surgeries in Northampton despite population growth. He questioned how patient safety is being quantified without traditional waiting time statistics and highlighted projections of needing between six and 12 additional GP surgeries in the next 10 years. The ICB acknowledged the pressure on GP surgeries and stated they are developing a programme of work focusing on variation and quality, including investment in estates and digital solutions. They also confirmed a five-year plan for primary care access, which encompasses all forms of access.

Councillor Christine Ware raised concerns about staff morale and labour turnover within the ICB and its providers. Maria Laffin responded that while staff are overworked and under-resourced across the health service, the voice of staff is heard, and the ICB is working to support them.

Councillor Alison Eastwood highlighted the significant inequalities in life expectancy across West Northamptonshire, from Brackley to parts of Northampton, and questioned how equality of provision is being ensured. She also asked how local area partnerships and neighbourhood services can be better integrated. The committee was informed of ongoing joint workshops and a forthcoming elected member session on local area partnerships.

Councillor Adrian Cartwright questioned the process for allocating Section 106 money for new surgeries versus existing ones, particularly in areas with no room for expansion. The ICB clarified that they work with practices to explore all opportunities and that dedicated capital funding for primary care is now available, enabling investment in new sites and reconfiguration of existing ones.

Councillor Owens also raised concerns about the potential impact of GP surgeries refusing a new government contract and the possibility of privatisation, drawing parallels with the situation of NHS dentists. The ICB acknowledged awareness of a potential national ballot and stated that plans would be in place if such a scenario were to occur.

Polly, Director of Strategy at Northampton General Hospital, discussed the hospital's estate challenges, with buildings ranging from over 100 years old to less than a year old. She noted that Northampton General Hospital is not yet on the National New Hospital Build Programme list. The hospital is experiencing high demand, with nearly 500 people attending A&E on one day, and 134 patients currently in beds who are medically fit for discharge but awaiting social care or residential placements. A master planning exercise is underway to address the estate and future demand.

Ashley Leduc, Director of Strategic Commissioning, clarified that West Northamptonshire Council does not have 134 people waiting for social care support from the hospital, stating their numbers are usually between 40 and 50. She acknowledged delays and outlined investments in a new bridging service to support discharges.

Community Safety Partnership Annual Report 2025-26

Vicki Rockall, Head of Community Safety Engagement and Resettlement Services, and Kevin Fagan, Community Safety Strategy Manager, presented the Community Safety Partnership Annual Report for 2025-26. They highlighted a sustained reduction in overall crime and serious violence in West Northamptonshire, which they noted is not always reflected nationally. The report detailed partnership activity focused on prevention, enforcement, and victim support.

Kevin Fagan presented data showing that crime in the Daventry and South Northants policing sector is 14.5% below the average for its comparable group, and in Northampton, it is 8% below the average for its group. Burglaries have seen significant reductions in both sectors. However, increases were noted in sexual offences and stalking and harassment.

Councillor Pinder Chauhan raised concerns about county lines activity, particularly involving young people, and the perceived leniency of punishments. Councillor Anthony Owens echoed concerns about rising anti-social behaviour and stalking/harassment, questioning if the statistics accurately reflect the reality of crime and violence, particularly towards females.

Vicki Rockall emphasised the importance of reporting crime and anti-social behaviour, stating that police resources are intelligence-led and cannot be effectively targeted without reported incidents. She confirmed that domestic abuse and sexual violence remain absolute priorities for the partnership, with a refreshed strategy and action plan in development.

Councillor Christine Ware asked about the expansion of the Clear Hold Build model, a Home Office framework for tackling serious and organised crime. Vicki Rockall explained that areas are formally adopted based on specific criteria, but the model can be applied more broadly if needed.

Councillor Rosie Herring questioned the correlation between Northampton Police's inadequate rating for crime investigation, a drop in positive outcomes, and below-average crime reporting figures. She suggested that a lack of faith in the reporting system might be contributing to worsening crime prevention and solving rates. The committee was encouraged to continue promoting reporting, particularly online and via Crimestoppers.

Councillor Susan Gaskell raised concerns about drug dealing in areas with a high proportion of elderly residents who may not report incidents, and the fear of retribution in blocks of flats. Vicki Rockall acknowledged the difficulty but stressed the need to encourage reporting.

A recommendation was made to explore funding for school pastors to intervene with county lines activity and deter young people from crime. This would involve putting together a business case to be supported by the committee and sent to the executive.

Adult Social Care Technology Enabled Care and Digital Strategy

Michael Hurt, Head of Service for Strategic Commissioning, Later Life and Healthy Aging, and Steve Campbell, Service Manager for Prevention and Therapy, provided an update on the implementation of the Technology Enabled Care and Digital Strategy. They presented five proposed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for measuring the strategy's success:

1. Percentage of care packages with technology included.
2. Cost avoidance in pounds associated with tech instead of care hours.
3. Percentage of frontline staff trained in tech.
4. Quality of life improvement as a result of introducing tech, measured by a standardised tool.
5. Number of people utilising the self-assessment model.

Councillor Anthony Owens suggested adding a KPI related to falls, specifically measuring the reduction in serious falls and the response time to falls incidents, and monitoring device failures. The committee also discussed the importance of accessible information, including easy-read formats and QR codes, and the role of community volunteer groups in promoting technology adoption.

A written statement from Kathleen Coxhill was read, raising concerns about the potential breach of Gunning principles regarding public consultation on the closure of residential care homes and day centres, which she argued was undermined by the prior approval of a tech-first strategy. She posed three questions to the Executive Director regarding the justification for implementing the tech strategy during an active consultation, the clinical operational risk assessments undertaken, and the publication of consultation feedback. The committee was informed that responses to these queries had been provided and would be shared.

Review of Committee Work Programme

The committee reviewed its work programme, noting upcoming items including the Northamptonshire Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report, scrutiny of Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Trust, and a discussion on the NHS winter plan.

Urgent Business

Councillor Bob Purser raised concerns about planned redundancies at Northampton and Kettering General Hospitals, totalling nearly 900 staff over two years, and the potential impact on resident safety. It was agreed that this issue would be raised with the Integrated Care Board at their next meeting.