The Adult Care and Health Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee convened to discuss a range of issues, including the appointment of co-opted members, budget overspends, contract variations, and strategies for mental health, learning disabilities and tackling loneliness. The committee also reviewed the council's risk register and contract register.

Appointment of Co-opted Members

The committee approved the co-option of Jo Findlay, Michelle Harvie, and Stacey Agius to the Adult Care and Health Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee for the 2025/26 municipal year. ¹ Councillor Mark Brock, Chairman of the Adult Care & Health PDS Committee, and Councillor Gemma Turrell, Deputy Mayor of the London Borough of Bromley, were re-appointed to the South East London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2025/26.

Budget Monitoring and Outturn Report 2024/25

The committee scrutinised the final outturn report for the Adult Care and Health Portfolio in 2024/25, noting a net overspend of £5.485 million on controllable expenditure. Key factors contributing to the overspend included:

• Assessment and Care Management: A £6.662 million overspend, primarily due to the cost of care packages and placements, including hospital discharge packages and the community equipment contract.
• Mental Health: A £1.408 million overspend, split between services for 18-64 year-olds (£330k) and adults over 65 (£1.382 million).
• Learning Disabilities: A £285k underspend, mainly due to in-year savings.
• Better Care Fund: A £1.7 million underspend, with these funds being applied to mitigate pressures in Adult Social Care.

The Director of Adult Services noted that while transformation savings had been achieved, the cost of providing care continued to be a main pressure, with unit prices for care requiring focus.

Contract Variations

The committee considered and supported recommendations for contract variations for:

• Primary and Secondary Intervention Services (Bromley Well): A contract variation was supported to rightsize the value of the Dementia Respite at Home pathway, which was being underutilised, and to open up the service to all carers. This is projected to save £210,000 per year.
• Community Substance Misuse Service (Change Grow Live): A contract variation was supported to increase capacity within the service, particularly for the criminal justice treatment pathway and aftercare services. The annual variation amount is £97,534.

Bromley Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy (2025-30)

The committee reviewed the draft of the Bromley Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy (2025-30), ahead of its consideration by the Executive. The strategy, jointly developed by Bromley Council and NHS South-East London Integrated Care Board (ICB), sets out a vision for improving mental health services across all age groups. The strategy is underpinned by four key themes:

• Living well with mental health challenges
• Resilient communities
• Joined-up care, education, health and housing services
• Best use of community and public resources

Key priorities include more targeted community prevention and early intervention services, helping children and young people with complex needs, improving transitions between children's and adult's services, better recovery outcomes, and improved outcomes for older people with mental health challenges and dementia.

Bromley Integrated Learning Disability Strategy

The committee discussed the Bromley Integrated Learning Disability Strategy 2025-2030, which was co-produced with residents, families, carers and local organisations. The strategy's vision is to create a Bromley where people with learning disabilities are empowered to make choices, live in suitable homes, have access to education, employment and social opportunities, and receive person-centred health and care support. The strategy is built around five core themes:

1. Being Positively Prepared for Adulthood
2. Our Communities
3. A Healthy Life
4. A Good Home
5. Learning, Work and Independence

Direct Award Procurement for GP Service Level Agreements

The committee considered a report seeking permission to proceed with direct award procurement for General Practice Service Level Agreements (GPSLAs) including NHS Health Checks and Sexual Health services. The committee supported the recommendations to approve the direct award of SLAs to Bromley GP practices for the provision of NHS Health Checks and Sexual Health Services, in compliance with the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023.

Tackling Loneliness Strategy Action Plan 2022-2026 Update

The committee received an update on the delivery of the Tackling Loneliness Strategy Action Plan 2022-2026. The report highlighted a number of initiatives, including the Tackling Loneliness Workshop, the Bromley Creative Health Founder Network, and the Christmas Card Scheme.

Adult Care and Health Services Risk Register

The committee reviewed the Adult Care and Health Services Risk Register, which identifies key risks to the Council's ability to deliver its priorities and objectives. The register includes risks related to financial strategy, effective adult social care and learning disability services, public health, business interruption, health and social care integration, adult transport, community equipment, CQC assurance, changes to the national landscape, and performance management data.

Contract Register

The committee reviewed the Adult Care and Health Contract Register, which provides a snapshot of the Council's active contracts as of 1st May 2025. The register includes information on contract values, suppliers, start and end dates, and procurement status. Councillor Mark Brock, Chairman of the Adult Care & Health PDS Committee, noted that figures/information requested in relation to hospital discharges had been circulated to Members of the Committee.