To consider and comment on proposals for a Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee in relation to the Sustainability and Transformation Plan for Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes.

The Scrutiny Policy Adviser introduced a report that set out proposals for a Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee to scrutinise the Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) for Bedford, Luton and Milton Keynes.

The Committee were in favour of option 3 and supported the proposal that Central Bedfordshire Council undertake the duties of Chairman as it was the only Council without a hospital within its boundary.  Members also supported the proposal for Bedford Borough to administer the JHOSC and for the venue to be rotated for each meeting.

Members supported the proposal that the following definitions of a substantive change in NHS provision be included in the Terms of Reference:

1.    a change in the way the service is delivered;

2.    a change in the place the service is delivered;

3.    a change of partners and/or the way in which partners co-operate;

4.    a change in budgetary arrangements.

RECOMMENDED:

• To adopt option 3 and have a JHOSC with statutory scrutiny powers
• To promote the appointment of a Central Bedfordshire Chairman on the basis that Central Bedfordshire does not have a General Hospital within its boundary, would bring some independence to the table and has the larger population in Bedfordshire.
• That the Chair initially be held for two years until the result of the next elections in 2019
• That Central Bedfordshire is supportive that Bedford Borough Council is to administer arrangements.
• That the meeting venue be rotated between the participating authorities;
• That the definition of 'substantial change' be circulated and include the provision outlined at item 4.