Agenda and minutes

In the event the fire alarm sounds attendees will be advised to evacuate the building via the nearest fire exit and assemble at the Bottle of Notes opposite MIMA.

The Chair welcomed all attendees to the meeting and explained the fire evacuation procedures.

The minutes of the Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 22 July 2025 were submitted and approved as a correct record.

Councillor Coupe will provide a verbal update as a member of the Trust’s Council of Governors.

The Vice Chair provided the Panel with a verbal update on his role as a Member of the South Tees NHS Trust’s Council of Governors, his interactions with the Board and the upcoming AGM meeting.

A discussion took place in respect of ongoing communications with South Tees NHS Trust, following their delivery of the Draft Quality Account to the People Scrutiny Panel in May 2025.

It was agreed that Democratic Servies would explore holding an additional/special meeting of the Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny Panel, early in the New Year to consider NHS business.  Consideration would also be given to informal liaison with the ICB and South Tees Trust.

The Senior Organisational Development Business Partner for HDRC South Tees will deliver a presentation: ‘HDRC South Tees: Embedding a Positive Research Culture in Local Authority’.

The Senior Organisational Development Business Partner for the Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) South Tees delivered a presentation on embedding a positive research culture within local authority.

The presentation gave an overview of the HDRC and funding, the main areas of focus and the importance of promoting a positive research culture.  Case studies were shared to illustrate the outcomes and benefits of the research, demonstrating its impact on local communities.

A Member queried how residents were engaged in the process. It was noted that the HDRC were working with charity networks, projects and elected members.

The Chair thanked those involved in the presentation and acknowledged the value of evidence-based research in informing policy development.

NOTED.

The Director of Adult Social Care and Health Integration will present the CQC September update.

The Director of Adult Social Care and Health Integration gave a quarterly update (September 2025) on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) Improvement Plan.

Members were reminded that the CQC inspected Middlesbrough Council’s Adult Social Care Services in 2024.  The Local Authority Inspection Return was submitted on 11 June 2024, followed by the Onsite Inspection during October 2024.  The Final Report was received on 21 February 2025, with the rating of ‘Requires Improvement’, falling just one point short of a ‘Good’ rating.

An update was provided on each of the following Areas for Improvement:

·        Significant waiting times

·        Unpaid Carers

·        Housing availability

·        Equality, diversity and inclusion

·        No defined plan around ‘co-production’

·        Lack of assurance at CEO level

·        Lack of ownership corporately with regard to ASC

·        Scrutiny and data

Members were advised that the CQC Action Plan had around 36 different projects, all underpinned by a robust monitoring process and an Improvement Board.  An Adult Social Care 10 Year Vision and Strategy was also being developed, in conjunction with Healthwatch and was scheduled for public consultation.

Further discussion took place in respect of the areas for improvement.  Members were informed that a new Head of Strategic Housing was now in post, with the role expected to drive progress in identifying housing needs across Middlesbrough, working with registered local landlords and private sector providers.    Improvement actions also focussed on strengthening multi-disciplinary working and developing a workforce strategy aimed at recruiting additional social workers.  In response to operational challenges, some service providers were trailing the use of Magic Notes, a tool that transcribes social work case notes, reducing the reliance on manual notetaking, and saves time in report writing.

The Chair thanked the Director of Adult Social Care and Health Integration for the presentation and noted that the next update was scheduled for January.

NOTED.

The Health Improvement Manager for Public Health South Tees and the Program Director for ‘You’ve Got This’ will be in attendance to provide an introduction to the Panel’s new scrutiny topic; there will be a focus on childhood obesity.

Following the presentation, Members will be asked to consider the next steps for the review.

The Health Improvement Manager, Public Health and the Programme Manager of the ‘You’ve Got This’ Project (Sport England), were in attendance to provide an overview of the Panel’s Investigation Topic ‘Healthy Placemaking’, with a focus on childhood obesity.

The presentation introduced the issue of obesity in Middlesbrough, with a particular focus on childhood obesity and outlined the latest National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) statistics, including regional and national comparisons. 

Members noted that in 2024/24, 13.8% of reception-age children (4-5 years) in Middlesbrough were classed as obese or severely obese, compared with 10.8% across the North East and 9.6% nationally.  By Year 6 (ages 10-11) prevalence rose to 25.6% in Middlesbrough, slightly above the North East average of 24.5% and significantly higher than the England figure of 22.1%.  Adult obesity levels were also high, with 71.4% of Middlesbrough adults overweight or obese, compared with 64.5% across England.

Analysis of NCMP data by ward highlighted that obesity levels were generally higher in the more deprived areas of Middlesbrough, including Berwick Hills and Pallister, Brambles and Thorntree, Hemlington and Ayresome.  In contrast, more affluent wards such as Nunthorpe and Marton West recorded some of the lowest levels. North Ormesby recorded the highest prevalence of overweight and obese pupils at Reception age (35.3%), but one of the lowest rates by Year 6 (36.3%).  A Member observed this contrast and queried what specific factors or interventions in North Ormesby might be contributing to the difference.

Information was also provided on national government strategies to tackle obesity. Between 1990 and 2020, 689 policies had been introduced, the majority of which placed the responsibility on the individual, with an emphasis on behavioural change.

The representatives advised that obesity was a complex issue that required a whole-system approach.  Factors such as the physical environment, economic circumstances and education all contribute to lifestyle patters.  Members were then updated on the approaches taken locally by Middlesbrough Council and Sport England, as follows;

·        Healthy Weight Declaration

A Council-wide commitment to improve the health of residents and empower individuals to make healthier lifestyle choices.  The framework involves creating environments that promote healthy choices by improving access, availability, and affordability of healthier food and drink, and increasing opportunities for physical activity.

·        Healthy Impact Assessment for Planning Toolkit

Provides additional capacity to strengthen work around planning and transport infrastructure.  The toolkit is used to identify and maximise the health and wellbeing impacts of new developments and placemaking.

·        Advertising

Local measures to include restrictions on unhealthy products such as fast food and alcohol, including on sites such as bus stops

·        Breastfeeding Campaign

A South Tees initiative aimed at increasing breastfeeding rates to give children the best start in life.

·        Bring it On / Holiday Activities Fund

Offers free, fun activities and healthy food for children and young people aged 5 to 16 during the school holidays.

·        Creating Active Schools

A programme piloted in Bradford which helps schools foster healthier, more active environments for pupils.

·        Eat Well South Tees

Embeds healthy food standards in settings such  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25/19

The Chair provided an update on items discussed at the Overview and Scrutiny Board meeting held on 30 July 2025, which included:

• Delivery against the Continuous Improvement Plan - Progress Update.
• Scrutiny Work Planning 2025/26.
• Pre-Decision Scrutiny Protocol.
• Final Report of the People Scrutiny Panel - Children Missing Education.
• Final Report of the Place Scrutiny Panel – Empty Properties.

NOTED.

The next meeting of the Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny Panel had been scheduled for Tuesday, 20 October 2025 at 4.00 p.m. in the Mandela Room, Town Hall.

NOTED

None.