Sutton Council Worried About NHS Changes Impacting Local Care

16 July 2025

Sutton Council is worried that planned NHS changes could stretch its resources and hinder its ability to provide care and support for residents.

The concerns were discussed during the Audit and Governance Committee meeting on 10 July 2025. Members reviewed the council's risk management strategy and corporate risk register at the meeting. The Corporate Risk Register highlights the main risks to the council and what it is doing to reduce them.

Risk assessment chart showing potential impact on financial statements versus likelihood of material misstatement. — Risk assessment chart

The register identifies the negative impact of the planned NHS changes on the council's resources and ability to deliver care and support for the local population as a key risk. This encompasses concerns about the council's resources and its ability to maintain current levels of care and support services.

The NHS is undergoing rapid structural change including the abolishment of NHS England and a reduction and shift of the Integrated Care Board's role to focus on strategic commissioning, accompanied with a 50% reduction in its budget. At the time of writing there is ongoing uncertainty for local government around this change.

The Council is working with the South London Partnership, London Association of Directors Adult Social Service, London Associal of Directors of Public Health and London Association of London Directors of Children's Services to understand the changes as policy guidelines are being developed and issued. This includes high-level discussions with the SWL Integrated Care Board and with the London NHS on the implications of the changes and to influence the delivery of change.

Councils Involved

Sutton

Meetings Involved

the Audit and Governance Committee of Sutton Council on 10 July 2025

People Involved

Councillor Colin Stears Chair, Audit and Governance Committee; Vice Chair, Hackbridge, St Helier and the Wrythe Local Committee • Liberal Democrat • The Wrythe

Councillor Param Nandha Vice Chair: North Cheam, Stonecot and Worcester Park Local Committee • Local Conservatives • North Cheam

Councillor Bobby Dean Liberal Democrat • The Wrythe

Councillor Edward Joyce Chair: Scrutiny Committee, Vice Chair: Beddington and Wallington Local Committee • Liberal Democrat • South Beddington and Roundshaw

Councillor Jayne McCoy Chair: Planning Committee • Liberal Democrat • Wallington South

Councillor Ed Parsley Vice Chair: Housing, Economy and Business Committee • Liberal Democrat • Sutton Central

Councillor Muhammad Sadiq Chair: Beddington and Wallington Local Committee • Liberal Democrat • Wallington South

Councillor Tim Crowley Local Conservatives • Carshalton South and Clockhouse

Councillor Mike Dwyer Local Conservatives • North Cheam

Councillor David Hicks Local Conservatives • Belmont

Justine Antill

Ronak Dashani

Charlotte Hennings

Amina Hossain

Gary Rogers

Topics

Sutton Council Corporate Risk Register NHS NHS England Integrated Care Board South London Partnership London Association of Directors Adult Social Service London Associal of Directors of Public Health London Association of London Directors of Children's Services South West London Integrated Care Board London NHS Planned NHS changes