Below is a summary of one of Cheshire East’s committee meetings, showing the range of services and responsibilities the Council looks after.
It does not represent the views of RoW, it is intended to inform readers.
The summary below has been generated by AI from the full public meeting minutes, for which a link is given at then end of this page.
Adults & Health Committee – One‑Page Summary
Meeting date: 23 March 2026
Location: Committee Suite, Delamere House, Crewe
Chair: Cllr Jill Rhodes
1. Finance – Third (and verbal Fourth) Financial Review of 2025/26
The Committee received FR3 and a verbal FR4 update. Key points:
- Small £3k overspend forecast for 2025/26.
- Costs increased for both short‑ and long‑term beds due to additional winter “Discharge to Assess” beds purchased by Health.
- Pressures currently mitigated via grants/efficiencies → but risk of £4.8m opening pressure in 2026/27 if bed use remains high.
- BCF (Better Care Fund) pressures noted; CE cannot fully control BCF priorities as it is a pooled budget.
- Public Health shows an underspend, but remains ring‑fenced. NHS pay uplift had increased contract costs.
- Members were informed that 60+ people died in hospital awaiting NHS Continuing Healthcare assessments, prompting concern and a request for further details.
All recommendations noted/approved.
2. Recommissioning of the Integrated Community Equipment Service
The Committee approved procurement of a new joint contract with Cheshire West + ICB.
Key points:
- Statutory service enabling independent living; demand has risen 20% since 2021.
- Current model works well but requires improvements (especially recycling/returns).
- New contract to include:
- Better equipment tracking
- Higher recycling expectations
- KPIs for collection times
- A 19% budget uplift for next year agreed, then 17% annually across partners.
- Members asked for info on public donation of privately owned equipment and delays in collections (officers to respond in writing).
Contract award delegated to Executive Director + relevant Cabinet Members.
3. Sexual Health Services Recommission
A recommission via the Provider Selection Regime was approved.
Key points:
- Current provider offers strong value for money; open tendering may increase costs.
- Shift planned toward community‑based outreach clinics.
- PREP promotion continues, aimed at higher‑risk groups.
- Usage increasing due to changing sexual behaviours and dating app culture.
- Outreach support available to youth clubs if requested.
- Members requested updated data on under‑18 pregnancy rates.
- A 6‑month progress report will be taken to Overview & Scrutiny.
Approved unanimously.
4. Drugs & Alcohol Plan – 12‑Month Update
Committee reviewed service progress:
- Service works on early intervention, combating stigma, and treating those with complex needs.
- Schools were having difficulties finding the time to fit in the service being offered. Concern by Councillors who highlighted the increase in children taking up vaping.
- Significant rise in ketamine use; CE working with Liverpool John Moores University on new‑drug research.
- Some parents unaware of pregnancy until later stages → critical need for early engagement.
- Drug/alcohol death rate slightly above England average, though absolute numbers remain low.
- Alcohol misuse most prevalent in older adults.
- Members requested regular updates to Overview & Scrutiny.
5. Care at Home – Extension of Direct Award
Committee considered risks in the care market due to workforce changes, including providers heavily reliant on international staff.
Key points:
- Full procurement now considered risky due to workforce instability and possible package handbacks.
- Extension of current contracts up to 2 years (plus 1‑year extension option) approved.
- Provider forums had poor attendance; engagement days planned in Crewe and Macclesfield.
- Long‑term intention remains of a full recommission that has been redesigned with:
- Fewer, more strategic “trusted providers”
- Outcome‑based model
- Stronger contract wording around handbacks
- Aim to support rural areas via neighbourhood model / micro‑enterprises.
- Members raised border‑area care issues and requested provider CQC ratings (officers to provide).
- A 6‑month update report to O&S was added.
Approved by majority.
6. Other items
- No public speakers.
- Minutes of January 2026 meeting approved.
- Health & Wellbeing Board minutes noted.
Meeting closed: 12:40pm
To see the publicly available full meeting minutes, follow the link: Minutes details on public web site