Agenda item

The Cabinet considered a report  of the Interim Corporate Director of Adult and Health Services which provided an update on the outcome of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) Assessment of the way in which the Council discharges its adult social care duties under part 1 of the Care Act 2022 undertaken earlier this year. The report sought Cabinet approval for the Service Improvement Plan to address areas for development set out in the CQC report and wider service improvement aspirations, progress against which will be subject to annual reporting in the future (for copy of report see file of minutes).

Councillor C Hood, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Adult and Health Services commented that the ‘Good’ rating was achieved in how the Council delivered Adult Social Care in County Durham in line with the statutory requirements of the Care Act. The Council had performed strongly and to a good standard. A service improvement plan had been developed to addresses those areas highlighted for improvement and Cabinet would receive further updates in due course.

Councillor J Shuttleworth, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Rural Communities and Highways commented that the Service Improvement Plan would ensure actions were being progressed and monitored through appropriate governance arrangements and to ensure continuous improvement was embedded across the service.

The Leader of the Council added the Cabinet’s appreciation to the outgoing Corporate Director of Adult and Health Services, Jane Robinson, for her many years of dedicated service, for her work on the CQC assessment and for the good position of the service. The Leader wished Jane well in her retirement and the very best to her successor, Michael Laing.

Resolved:

That the recommendations in the report be approved.