The Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny Committee of Stockport Council met on Thursday 27 November 2025 to discuss a range of important issues affecting residents. Key topics included the development of a strategy to support young people preparing for adulthood, improvements to adult social care direct payments, and the provision of NHS dentistry. The committee also reviewed the Healthwatch Stockport annual report, the council's medium-term financial plan, and performance updates for the Health, Wellbeing, and Adult Social Care portfolio.

Preparing for Adulthood Strategy

The committee received an update on the draft Preparing for Adulthood strategy, which aims to support young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) as they transition into adult life. The strategy focuses on four key pathways: employment, independent living, community inclusion, and health. Councillor Helen Foster-Grime, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Wellbeing and Health, highlighted the importance of this strategy in helping young people achieve their aspirations and live gloriously ordinary lives. The strategy has been developed in consultation with young people, families, and professionals, and an easy-read version will be available. The committee was asked to comment on and note the draft strategy and participate in the ongoing consultation and engagement exercise.

NHS Dentistry Provision and Access

Jana Rigby, Assistant Director of Primary Care Operations for NHS Greater Manchester, presented a report on the provision and access to NHS dentistry in Stockport and across Greater Manchester. The report detailed the number of dental practices, urgent dental care providers, and hubs available. It also outlined the national dental recovery plan, focusing on prevention, urgent care, and workforce development. Councillor Stuart raised concerns about residents crossing the border into Cheshire for dental services and asked for advice on finding local NHS dentists. Jana Rigby explained that patients can access urgent dental care via a central helpline and general dental services can be found on the NHS website. The committee discussed the Practice Access Quality Scheme (PACS), noting a slight drop in new and urgent patient appointments compared to previous years, which was attributed to changes in commissioning cycles and the national mandate for additional urgent care appointments. The issue of failed to attend appointments was also discussed, with patient charges and forgetfulness cited as potential reasons.

Healthwatch Stockport Annual Report

Maria Kildunne, Chief Executive of Healthwatch Stockport, presented the organisation's annual report for 2024/25. Healthwatch Stockport supported nearly a thousand people, producing twelve reports on various health and social care services. Key areas of work included improving communication and care plans for hospital discharges, reviewing adult hearing services, and developing a toolkit for primary care teams to better support people with serious mental illness. Volunteers contributed over 435 hours, assisting with enter and view visits and community events. Councillor Abell questioned the funding source for Healthwatch, noting that while the council contributes £171,600, much of its work is medical. It was clarified that Healthwatch receives a dedicated grant and that other boroughs, like Trafford, receive substantial funding from their health colleagues. The report also highlighted the upcoming abolition of Healthwatch as a statutory body, pending legislative changes, and discussions are underway regarding its future.

Adult Social Care Direct Payments

Sally Wilson, Assistant Director in Adult Social Care, presented an update on the improvements made to the Direct Payments service. The report highlighted a significant reduction in waiting times for direct payment allocations, from an average of 70 days in January 2023 to under 10 days. This improvement is attributed to increased investment in staff, the introduction of a single point of contact, monthly community drop-ins, and enhanced online resources. The Direct Payment Service User Group has been instrumental in co-producing policy revisions and improving communication. Councillor Newman praised the work, asking for an example of what direct payments fund, which was explained as a mechanism for individuals to have more choice and control over their care, including employing personal assistants, paying for agencies, or accessing day services.

Supported and Specialist Housing Strategy

Jude Barker, Assistant Director in Regeneration and Economy, presented the draft Stockport Council Supported and Specialist Housing Strategy for 2026-2040. The strategy aims to ensure a strong pipeline of new supported and specialist accommodation to meet future needs, aligning with the One Stockport One Future plan. Key objectives include understanding and planning for demand, promoting independence, improving the volume and quality of housing, and embedding co-production. Challenges such as high demand, low supply, affordability issues, and a shortage of accessible homes were acknowledged. The strategy includes an action plan with specific commitments, such as working with the Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation and incorporating affordable housing obligations into new developments. Councillor Harway noted the opportunity to involve people with lived experience in discussions with developers to ensure new accommodation meets specific needs. Councillor Abell questioned the engagement with the local plan, and Councillor Shoup sought clarification on the figures relating to extra care schemes. The committee also discussed the potential inclusion of housing for veterans and key workers within the strategy.

Cabinet Response to Scrutiny Review on Health Inequalities

Judith Strobl, Director of Public Health, presented the Cabinet's response to the Scrutiny Review Panel on Health Inequalities. The review focused on the lived experiences of people with serious mental illness (SMI) experiencing deprivation and ethnic minority communities also experiencing deprivation. Actions taken include the development and promotion of neighbourhood profiles, strengthening equality, diversity, and inclusion training, and progress on anti-poverty initiatives. Councillor Newman inquired about the reasons for the higher life expectancy gap between males and females in deprived areas, which Judith Strobl explained is a complex issue including rising coronary heart disease mortality. Councillor Abell asked about the involvement of medics in the review's work, and Councillor Stuart questioned the school readiness indicator for children with free school meals.

Health Inequalities in Stockport – 2025 Update

Judith Strobl also presented an update on health inequalities in Stockport, following the Director of Public Health's 2023 annual report. The update highlighted progress in areas such as early years support, access to good work, and housing regeneration. However, it also noted that the attainment gap for disadvantaged children remains a challenge. The Live Well programme is central to tackling health inequalities, with a focus on equitable services, fair access to the building blocks of health, and strengthening community power. A health inequalities outcomes framework is being developed to track progress. Councillor Newman noted the widening gap in life expectancy for males in deprived areas, and Councillor Abell questioned the involvement of medics. Councillor Stuart raised concerns about the school readiness indicator for children with free school meals.

Responding to the Medium-Term Financial Plan

Gill Lawton presented a report outlining the council's strategic approach to responding to the medium-term financial plan. The report highlighted significant funding gaps faced by local authorities nationwide, including Stockport, due to increasing demand, complexity of needs, and inflationary costs. Adult Social Care and Public Health are proposing savings of £3.2 million. The focus is on efficiency, prevention, technology-enabled care, and supporting people to live independently at home. Councillor Holloway emphasised the importance of early intervention and prevention, particularly in intermediate care. Councillor Barrett sought clarification on how the £3.4 million increase in homecare costs for older adults would be managed alongside savings targets, and Councillor Abell questioned the council's fee uplift strategy for care providers.

2025/26 Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resources Report: Health, Wellbeing & Adult Social Care

Gaynor Ward and Paul Graham presented the mid-year performance and resource report for the Health, Wellbeing, and Adult Social Care portfolio. Councillor Helen Foster-Grime, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care, highlighted the work on reducing health inequalities through the Live Well programme, the expansion of weight management services, and the development of a new intermediate care strategy. The report indicated a £4.371m overspend in Adult Social Care, primarily due to increased demand and complexity in younger adult services and learning disabilities, partially offset by underspends in prevention, wellbeing, and independence services. Public Health was forecasting a breakeven position. The committee reviewed performance measures, noting a 'red' RAG rating for the percentage of people accessing short-term services who no longer need long-term care, which was attributed to changes in data collection methods.

Scrutiny Work Programme

Caleb Harris presented the scrutiny work programme, outlining planned agenda items for future meetings. The committee was invited to suggest any additional items for inclusion. The next meeting was scheduled for 29 January 2026.

The meeting concluded with thanks to all involved and well wishes for the festive period.