Issue - decisions

58.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Adult Social Care and Health.

58.2     It was RESOLVED to:

1) Agree the proposal to cease the existing Mental Health Community Outreach service in its current format and to provide alternative Mental Health Community Outreach services specifically via the Council’s Joint Community Rehabilitation (JCR) Team and Milton Grange Mental Health Intermediate Care beds (part of the existing Older People Directly Provided Services); and

2) Delegate to the Director of Adult Social Care and Health authority to take all necessary actions to give effect to the above resolution.

Reasons

58.3     The Council is required to set a balanced budget. The ‘State of the County’ report presented to Cabinet in June 2024 set out a projected £55m deficit on the 2025/26 budget. Savings proposals requiring public consultation that would help to close this gap were presented to Cabinet in September 2024.

58.4     The total savings proposals for the Medium-Term Financial Plan for 2025/26-2027/28 set out in November 2024 were £20.628m, across all Council departments. The Adult Social Care and Health (ASCH) contribution to the savings total is £11.455m. In addition to these savings proposals, in order to achieve a balanced budget, the Council is also drawing on its financial reserves.

58.5     During the consultation process it was apparent that both JCR and Milton Grange Mental Health intermediate Care beds already offer a service for the cohort of people served by the Mental Health Community Outreach service:

·       Older people with depression and/or anxiety who may also be living with psychosis (which is in remission and deemed to be low risk);

·       Individuals with ‘mild’ cognitive impairment, defined as impairment not accompanied by behaviours which challenge or present high levels of risk in the community;

·       Older people with dementia.

58.6     It was ascertained that JCR and the Milton Grange Mental Health intermediate care beds can provide services which would mitigate the impact if the Mental Health Community Outreach service were to be ceased.

58.7     This will deliver savings of £318,000 but ensure that those requiring mental health support still have a clear pathway to access services that meet their needs.

58.8     Cabinet members have read and had regard to the Equalities Impact Assessment when making decisions related to this proposal.