The Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Warwickshire Council met on Wednesday 22 April 2026 to discuss the draft Council Plan for 2026-30 and review the Committee's work programme. The committee also received updates on various health-related matters, including primary care provision in Kenilworth and the proposed changes to older adults' mental health services.

Council Plan 2026-30

The committee reviewed the draft Council Plan for 2026-30, titled 'Recalibrating Warwickshire'. This strategic document outlines the council's ambition to make Warwickshire a place where local businesses flourish, families thrive, and children have the best chance in life, with a focus on making residents safer, healthier, and wealthier. The plan is structured around six areas of focus: 'People' (happy, healthy and safe children; healthy, happy and independent lives; and educational opportunities, sufficient places and SEND provision) and 'Places' (economic growth, jobs and skills; highways and transport; and vibrant places, safe communities and environment). These are underpinned by four common goals: value for money, optimising technology and innovation, driving community power, and being a great employer.

During the discussion, Councillor John Holland raised concerns about the potential impact of local government reorganisation on the plan's longevity, suggesting it might need to be reviewed once the outcome of the reorganisation is known. Councillor Tracey Drew and Councillor Kate Rolfe expressed reservations about the plan's perceived lack of radical change, with Councillor Drew describing it as motherhood and apple pie. They also debated the balance between promoting personal responsibility and the council's role in creating environments that enable healthier choices. Councillor Drew highlighted the financial barriers some residents face in accessing services like leisure centres, while Dr Shade Agboola, Director of Public Health, argued that the council has a role in creating environments that make healthy choices easier. The committee also discussed the inclusion of the Casey Commission's findings and the 'Growing Up Online' report within the plan. Ultimately, the committee agreed to comment on the draft Council Plan as part of the engagement process to inform the final version.

Work Programme and Future Meetings

The committee reviewed its work programme, with a particular focus on bringing forward discussions on damp and mould in social and private rented housing, and a COVID-19 overview. Councillor Jo Barker, the Chair, expressed a desire to expedite these topics due to their importance. The committee also discussed the potential for a joint meeting with the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on young people and to explore Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

Several other items were added or discussed for inclusion in the work programme, including:

• Damp and mould in social and private rented housing: This topic was highlighted as a priority, with a commitment to engage with housing associations and private rental sector representatives.
• COVID-19 overview: A review of the council's response to the pandemic, focusing on lessons learned, was proposed, potentially as a joint meeting with the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
• Older Adults Hospital at Home Provision: Following a detailed discussion, the committee voted not to endorse the proposed approach to improving equity of access for older adults and enhancing service provision, with one member voting in favour and eight against.
• Carers' Support: A dedicated session or briefing on support for informal carers, including younger carers, was requested. This will involve discussions with the Carers' Trust and will aim to address issues such as respite care and awareness of available support.
• Dementia Diagnosis and Support: A briefing on this topic was requested.
• Menopause Services: A review of progress on the implementation of recommendations from a previous task and finish review was noted.
• Health Watch Abolition: A discussion on the abolition of Health Watch and the transition to new arrangements for patient voice and experience was proposed.
• NHS Winter Preparations: A briefing note on NHS winter preparations and a review of how they went was added to the work programme.
• Hospices and Palliative Care: An item to examine sector-wide challenges within hospice and palliative care was confirmed for the June meeting.
• Active Travel: Councillor Tracey Drew requested that active travel be mentioned in the highways and transport section of the Council Plan.

Questions to the Portfolio Holder and NHS

Councillor Max Langer raised questions regarding primary care facilities in Kenilworth, noting that existing provision was operating at capacity. Councillor Anne-Marie Sonko, Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health, confirmed ongoing discussions and a feasibility study for a potential health and wellbeing centre. Councillor Langer also inquired about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in addressing overspends in Adult Social Care, with Councillor Sonko explaining the ongoing work on assistive and digital technology.

Questions were also put to the NHS, with Rose Uwins from the Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) providing responses. These included updates on the development of a Health Centre at Upper Lighthorne and the provision of services at Ellen Badger Hospital.

Older Adults Hospital at Home Provision

The committee discussed proposed enhancements to older adults' mental health services, including the development of a Hospital at Home model. While CWPT presented the proposals as a way to strengthen community-based care and improve equity of access, Councillor John Holland expressed strong concerns, urging CWPT to pause and engage in wider discussions. The committee ultimately voted not to endorse the approach to improving equity of access for older adults and enhancing service provision.

National Oversight Framework (NOF)

Representatives from various NHS trusts, including South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust (SWFT), George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust (GEH), University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust (UHCW), and Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust (CWPT), provided updates on their performance against the National Oversight Framework (NOF). The discussion highlighted improvements in some areas, alongside ongoing challenges such as staff sickness and pressures in urgent and emergency care. Councillor Max Langer requested that findings relating to the West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) also be shared.

Draft Warwickshire Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2026-31

Alex Duckett, Public Health Service Manager – Strategic Partnerships, introduced the draft Health and Wellbeing Strategy, which outlines how partners will work together to improve health and wellbeing outcomes. A presentation summarising the strategy's development and themes was to be circulated to members.