Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee - 2 July 2025

**Election of Committee Officers**

The meeting began with motions to elect the Chairman and Vice‑Chairman of the Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Councillor A Mitchell, seconded by Councillor Creek, moved that Councillor Chopak be elected Chairman, while Councillor Wilson, seconded by Councillor Blackman, moved that Councillor Hanlon be elected Chairman. The vote resolved in favour of Councillor Chopak, who then took the Chair. A subsequent motion, moved by Councillor Chopak and seconded by Councillor Gripper, nominated Councillor Creek as Vice‑Chairman; this was opposed by a motion from Councillor Wilson and seconded by Councillor Blackman, and the vote again resolved in favour of Councillor Creek. No declarations of interest were recorded.

**Public Questions on Fowey Hospital and Patient Engagement**

Two members of the public addressed the Committee. Mr R Rooney of Fowey asked whether the Committee would urgently revisit the Integrated Care Board’s (ICB) decision to close Fowey Hospital, citing concerns about consultation, options appraisal and the Equality Impact Assessment. The Committee replied that the closure had already been scrutinised, that the ICB’s decision on 8 May 2025 was final, and that the Committee’s remit does not extend to revising NHS decisions. A written response was promised by the Strategic Director for Safe and Caring Communities. Mr N Morson of Ponsanooth asked whether the scrutiny paper should include detailed proposals for patient and public engagement within the ICB “cluster.” The response confirmed that patient engagement is a statutory requirement, that the ICB is developing an operating model that will embed such engagement, and that the model will be presented to the Committee at the end of July 2025.

**Healthwatch Co‑option and Overview**

The Democratic and Governance Officer introduced a report from Healthwatch Cornwall, after which the Chief Executive of Healthwatch gave an overview of the organisation’s role in representing residents’ voices and co‑designing services. The Committee was urged to support Healthwatch. A motion moved by Councillor Creek and seconded by Councillor Clemens was resolved, recommending that one Healthwatch Cornwall representative (with a substitute) be co‑opted as a non‑voting, off‑icio member of the Committee.

**Integrated Care Board Briefing**

The ICB Chief Executive Officer and Chairman were welcomed and delivered a briefing on forthcoming reforms. The briefing highlighted rising NHS costs, the need for a more strategic commissioning model, and the requirement for ICBs to reduce operating costs by up to 50 % over the next 18 months. Because Cornwall’s population (≈676 000) is below the 2 million threshold for a standalone ICB, a merger with Devon was identified as the likely option. The proposed clustered ICB structure is to be finalised by the end of July 2025, with a 45‑day staff consultation thereafter; the new model would commence in August 2025 and the formal merger is expected in 2027 pending legislation.

**Portfolio Holder Updates**

Portfolio Holders for Adult Social Care and Health Partnerships and for Community Safety and Public Health gave briefings. The Adult Social Care holder reported a positive early Care from the Care Quality Commission and highlighted the Mount Hawke Wellbeing Hub as a promising community‑care model. He also confirmed initiatives to support carers, provide training pathways, and promote the Living Wage among contracted care providers. The Community Safety and Public Health holder discussed preventive health strategies, including tackling childhood obesity, and noted that international models of healthy ageing had been examined for possible application in Cornwall.