The Adult Social Care & Health Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to discuss the council's medium-term financial plan, focusing on proposed changes to adult social care charging policies. The committee was also set to review updates on automated external defibrillators and the new Learning Disability Strategy.

Adult Social Care Medium Term Financial Plan

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to considering the Adult Social Care Medium Term Financial Plan¹. This report outlined proposed budget changes designed to address financial challenges and balance the budget for 2025/26. The report detailed how these proposals fit within wider change proposals and the council's in-year financial position. The committee was asked to consider and comment on the report, which included a detailed breakdown of seven proposed changes to the adult social care charging policy. These changes aimed to ensure a fairer and more equitable charging framework, reflecting the financial pressures on the council and the increasing cost of care. The report also included an Equality Impact Assessment² and a consultation report³ on the proposed charging changes, which had been carried out between November 2024 and January 2025.

The proposed changes to the charging policy included:

• Charging individuals based on the full cost of their care, removing the 50% second carer discount.
• Ensuring all individuals receiving funded care and support undergo a financial assessment, potentially leading to some paying towards their care costs.
• Removing the weekly cap on charges for care provided in people's homes, known as the maximum assessed charge.
• Removing the current 10% discount applied to the value of an individual's capital.
• Introducing a charge for arranging care for individuals who fully fund their own care.
• Introducing interest charges on money owed to the council when a Deferred Payment Agreement has not been signed.
• Introducing charges for services related to the protection of property.

The report highlighted that Stockport had previously subsidised care costs, unlike many other areas, but this was no longer sustainable. The proposals were presented as necessary to balance the budget, with the report noting that all proposed changes were permissible under the Care Act 2014⁴.

Automated External Defibrillators

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the provision of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in Stockport. This report, from the Director of Public Health⁵, summarised the current position regarding AEDs across the borough. It detailed key achievements from 2023/24, including the publication of new web pages on the council website providing information on CPR and defibrillator use, and a simplified process for community groups to install defibrillators on council buildings. The report also noted that local voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) groups had successfully fundraised to increase the number of AEDs. The report acknowledged that Stockport, like the national picture, had lower provision in more disadvantaged areas and outlined challenges in increasing public access defibrillators, such as cost and the need for a suitable guardian.

Learning Disability Strategy

A report from the Director for Adult Social Care was to be considered, detailing the Learning Disability Strategy 2025-2030⁶. This five-year strategy aims to promote the health, wellbeing, and independence of people with learning disabilities within Stockport, giving them greater choice and control over their lives. The strategy has been co-produced with partners and informed by the priorities of people with learning disabilities. It is structured around five key pillars: Living my Life, Getting to Where I Need to Be, The People Who Work With Me Are Wise and Kind, Living a Healthy Life, and Home, Family and Friends – Where I Live. The report indicated that successful implementation would require the commitment of all partners in the Stockport locality, working together as One Stockport.

Stepping Hill Foundation Trust Update

The committee was also scheduled to receive a verbal update on the estates and funding situation at Stepping Hill Foundation Trust.

Scrutiny Work Programme

Finally, the committee was to consider a report on its Scrutiny Work Programme⁷. This report outlined planned agenda items for future meetings and Forward Plan items within the committee's remit. The committee was invited to consider this information and propose any additional agenda items for future meetings.