The Adult Care and Health Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee met on Tuesday 3 February 2026 to discuss the draft budget for 2026/27, review the council's risk register, and receive updates on the transformation of adult social care services. Key decisions included supporting recommendations for the procurement of new domiciliary care frameworks and the award of a contract for Extra Care Housing care and support services.

Adult Care and Health Portfolio Draft Budget 2026/27

The Committee considered the draft budget for the Adult Care and Health Portfolio for 2026/27. The report highlighted significant cost pressures, including an estimated £16.8 million growth for Adult Social Care, alongside planned mitigation actions and savings from the transformation programme. Members were informed that the Council faces a projected budget gap of £26,354k for 2026/27, which is anticipated to be met by utilising one-off earmarked reserves. The draft budget also reflects a reduction in government grant funding, with Bromley receiving significantly less grant funding per head of population compared to the London average. The Director of Finance noted that while transformation savings are projected to rise to £35.5 million annually by 2028/29, the scale of savings required may necessitate a reduction in the scope and level of services. The Committee resolved to present its comments to the Executive.

ACH Risk Register - Q3 Update

The Committee reviewed the Adult Care and Health Services' Risk Register for Quarter 3 of 2025/26. Two risks, Failure to deliver partial implementation of Health and Social Care Integration and Community Equipment – Adults, were removed since the previous meeting. A new risk, Provider Failure, was added to both departmental and corporate risk registers. The report indicated that mitigating actions had led to a reduction in the risk level for several identified risks, with three high risks now categorised as significant, and one significant risk reduced to low. The Committee noted the current register and the controls in place to mitigate the identified risks.

Adult Services Transformation and Improvement Programme Update Report

An update was provided on the delivery of the Adult Services Transformation and Improvement Programme, which aims to create a more sustainable and efficient operating model, improve service quality, and achieve better outcomes for residents and the workforce. Key achievements highlighted included the successful rollout of the Magic Notes system to 82% of eligible staff, leading to increased productivity and reduced administrative burden. The Co-production Approach for Adult Social Care was also presented, with Adult Services having led the creation of the One Bromley Involvement Charter, which outlines a collective commitment to involving residents and communities in the design and development of health and care services. The Charter had been approved by the One Bromley Local Care Partnership (LCP) Board. The Committee noted the progress made in delivering the programme.

Pre-Decision Scrutiny of Executive Reports

Contract Award: Extra Care Housing Care and Support Services (Part 1)

The Committee considered a report seeking Executive approval to award a Lot One Care and Support contract for three Extra Care Housing (ECH) schemes: Crown Meadow Court, Sutherland Court, and Regency Court. The proposed contract, commencing on 1 August 2026, is for an initial five-year term with options to extend for a further eight years. The report also detailed the termination of the Lot Two tender for Apsley Court and Durham House ECH schemes due to unforeseen changes in landlord ownership, with a recommendation to extend existing contracts for these schemes as an interim measure. The Committee resolved to support the recommendations in the report.

Permission to Procure a Tier One and Tier Two Domiciliary Care Framework

The Committee reviewed a report seeking Executive approval to tender for a new Domiciliary Care Framework. This framework will encompass Tier 1 and Tier 2 providers for adults requiring social care and support at home, with a separate lot for Children and Young People. The proposed framework is for a four-year period, with an estimated annual contract value of £20.3 million. The Head of Service for Complex and Long Term Commissioning highlighted that this approach would allow for closer collaboration with Tier 1 providers, foster innovation in technology, and maximise resident independence. The Committee resolved to support the recommendations in the report.

Housing with Care Strategy - Update

An update was provided on the progress of the Bromley Housing with Care Strategy 2023-2033. The Assistant Director for Integrated Commissioning highlighted the strategy's alignment with the Integrated Learning Disabilities Strategy and its focus on increasing the provision of housing with care options for residents. Good progress was noted across various workstreams, including Extra Care Housing, Sheltered Plus Housing, Shared Lives, Home Share, and Supported Living Accommodation for Adults with a Learning Disability. The Committee resolved to note the contents of the report and receive further updates on new schemes as they develop.

Contract Register (Part 1)

The Committee reviewed an extract from the November 2025 Contracts Register, detailing contracts with a whole life value of £50,000 or higher. The Commissioning Support Officer for Adult, Care and Health noted that one contract had been flagged for attention, relating to a previous direct payment provider, which had since been resolved. The Committee noted the report.

Questions on the Adult Care and Health PDS Information Briefing

The Committee noted the information briefing, which comprised minutes from the Special Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee meeting held on 26 November 2025 and an update on the Tackling Loneliness Strategy Action Plan 2022-2026.

Publication of the Adult Services Care Quality Commission (CQC) Report

This agenda item was withdrawn as the Care Quality Commission (CQC) had removed its report on the assessment of Adult Social Care from its website on 2 February 2026 due to issues with factual accuracy. The Council's request for a formal review of the assurance process was still under consideration.

ACH Risk Register - Q3 Update

The Committee considered the current Adult Care and Health Services' Risk Register for Quarter 3 2025/26. Risks 11 (Failure to deliver partial implementation of Health and Social Care Integration) and 14 (Community Equipment – Adults) had been removed, while Risk 18 (Provider Failure) had been added. Mitigating actions had led to a reduction in the risk level for several identified risks. The Committee resolved to note the register and the existing controls.

Adult Services Transformation and Improvement Programme Update Report

An update was provided on the Adult Services Transformation and Improvement Programme. Key achievements included the successful rollout of the Magic Notes system to 82% of eligible staff, leading to increased productivity. The Co-production Approach for Adult Social Care was also highlighted, with the creation of the One Bromley Involvement Charter, which had been approved by the One Bromley Local Care Partnership (LCP) Board. The Committee noted the progress made in delivering the programme.

Pre-Decision Scrutiny of Executive Reports

Contract Award: Extra Care Housing Care and Support Services (Part 1)

The Committee considered a report seeking Executive approval to award a Lot One Care and Support contract for three Extra Care Housing (ECH) schemes. The proposed contract, commencing on 1 August 2026, is for an initial five-year term with options to extend. The report also detailed the termination of the Lot Two tender due to unforeseen changes in landlord ownership, with a recommendation to extend existing contracts for these schemes as an interim measure. The Committee resolved to support the recommendations in the report.

Permission to Procure a Tier One and Tier Two Domiciliary Care Framework

The Committee reviewed a report seeking Executive approval to tender for a new Domiciliary Care Framework for adults and a separate lot for Children and Young People. The proposed framework is for a four-year period, with an estimated annual contract value of £20.3 million. The Head of Service for Complex and Long Term Commissioning explained that this would allow for closer collaboration with Tier 1 providers and foster innovation. The Committee resolved to support the recommendations in the report.

Housing with Care Strategy - Update

An update was provided on the progress of the Bromley Housing with Care Strategy 2023-2033. The Assistant Director for Integrated Commissioning highlighted the strategy's alignment with the Integrated Learning Disabilities Strategy and its focus on increasing housing with care options. Good progress was noted across various workstreams, including Extra Care Housing and Supported Living Accommodation. The Committee resolved to note the report and receive further updates on new schemes.

Contract Register (Part 1)

The Committee reviewed an extract from the November 2025 Contracts Register, noting that one contract flagged for attention, relating to a previous direct payment provider, had been resolved. The Committee noted the report.