URL: https://democracy.thurrock.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=997

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose:

Content: Councillor Hooper introduced the report and explained that in May 2025 a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection took place. Thurrock Council Adult services received s high/ good rating.   An Improvement plan has been put together resulting from the inspection and this will go to the Adults and Health Overview and Scrutiny meeting in February hopefully and then on to Cabinet in March.   Non-Executive Member Councillor Rigby was permitted to ask her question.   The Commissioners comments describe the importance of the improvement plan aligning with the Council's wider transformation plan. How will you ensure this is achieved?   Councillor Hooper responded that as stated earlier the improvement plan will go to Overview and Scrutiny before Cabinet and the improvement plan will also be included in the Corporate Plan and the Transformation Roadmap.   Councillor Rigby asked the following supplemental question:   Will you be working with all sectors to ensure it all fits in?   Councillor Hooper agreed that he would and confirmed that he works closely with Councillor Watson. It was also brought up at the Health and Wellbeing Board yesterday, so all parties and sectors are influencing the plan.   Councillor Hartstean thanked everyone involved from social workers to managers.   Councillor Watson queries the area of development in joint strategic needs assessments and how far behind the service is on that.   Councillor Hooper confirmed that he thinks they can get this done fairly quickly. The Directorate were already aware of where they were weak in areas and work is ongoing to improve these areas.   Councillor Heath highlighted that this shows what can be achieved through dedication and hard work and whilst the council is in intervention too.   The Leader extended her thanks to everyone who took part in the inspection as being under any inspection is stressful. The service needs to take on board the learning. The Leader queried as we go into LGR what steps are being taken to ensure services of this standard will continue to ensure our next inspection is just as good.   Councillor Hooper stated that Essex and Southend all got Good ratings but Thurrock did better. Conversations are starting as to how we can work together as we move into LGR. We shouldn’t become tribalist and we should take the positives from Essex and Southend to help the new council formed. These relationships hold us in a good place to maintain and improve services as that culture is already there.   RESOLVED:   2.1   Cabinet noted and commented on the positive findings of the CQC Assessment Report.   2.2    Cabinet noted and commented on the initial areas of development included within the Adult Social Care CQC Improvement plan to support the ambitions of the Directorate and ensure continuous improvement.   2.3    Cabinet noted that the Adult Social Care CQC Improvement plan will support the Corporate Roadmap and Transformation Programme  

Date of Decision: January 21, 2026