Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Priory House, Monks Walk, Shefford

Contact: Paula Everitt  0300 300 4196

Items
No. Item

31.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 85 KB

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Social Care Health and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 24 August 2015 and to note actions taken since that meeting.

Minutes:

 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Social Care Health and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 24 August 2015 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

 

32.

Members' Interests

To receive from Members any declarations of interest and of any political whip in relation to any agenda item.

Minutes:

 

Cllr Duckett as a member of his family lived in sheltered housing accommodation.

 

33.

Chairman's Announcements and Communications

To receive any announcements from the Chairman and any matters of communication.

Minutes:

 

The Chairman advised of his attendance at the Older People’s festival in Flitwick and at a meeting with the Chief Executive of Healthwatch.  He also announced delays in relation to the Bedfordshire Health Services Review.

 

34.

Petitions

To receive petitions from members of the public in accordance with the Public Participation Procedure as set out in Annex 2 of Part A4 of the Constitution.

Minutes:

 

None

 

35.

Questions, Statements or Deputations

To receive any questions, statements or deputations from members of the public in accordance with the Public Participation Procedure as set out in Annex 1 of part A4 of the Constitution.

Minutes:

 

None.

 

36.

Call-In

To consider any decision of the Executive referred to this Committee for review  in accordance with Procedure Rule 10.10 of Part D2. 

Minutes:

 

None.

 

37.

Requested Items

To consider any items referred to the Committee at the request of a Member under Procedure Rule 3.1 of Part D2 of the Constitution.

Minutes:

 

None.

 

38.

Executive Members Update

 

To receive a brief verbal update from the Executive Members for:

·         Social Care and Housing and

·         Health

 

Minutes:

 

The Executive Member for Social Care and Housing advised the Committee of attendance at various meetings including the Lead Member Network in Hertfordshire; visits to Lincolnshire and Luton Councils; and a meeting with Housing officers to discuss the impact of the 1% rent reduction.

 

In light of the update a Member queried the pressure the Council could exert on developers to complete housing developments sooner.  The Executive Member advised this was being pursued by the LGA, the lack of housing supply had added pressure to the Housing Register.

 

39.

Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group - Finance Plan 2015/16 pdf icon PDF 50 KB

To consider the BCCG’s Finance Plan 2015/16 and consider the impact for residents in Central Bedfordshire.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

The Interim Chief Operating Officer at Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (BCCG) presented a report that outlined the BCCG’s current financial position.  The agreed forecast deficit positon of £20m was on track to be delivered.

 

In light of the information Members queried:

·         Whether the current deficit might increase.  The Interim Chief Operating Officer assured Members that financial control had been tightened and information was being provided more proactively to finances.  However, this assurance was not without some risk. 

·         When the BCCG would be expected to repay the loan from NHS England, the timing of which was unknown.

·         Concern that reserves had been used and there was no strategy for the manner in which BCCG would manage peaks in acute care where there was least control.  The Interim Chief Operating Officer advised this was a strategic challenge and efforts to avoid hospital admissions and focus on social and primary care redesign of charges would be prioritised.  The commissioning of GPs was expected to become the role of the BCCG rather than NHS England.

·         Whether other partners worked with BCCG in the same fashion as the Fire Authority to prevent incidents from occurring.  BCCG confirmed they worked with partners on several joint initiatives including ‘first response’.

 

In addition Members requested that a more detailed budget report, including information on the CCG’s saving programme (Quality, Innovation, Productivity and Prevention) be submitted to the next meeting.

 

The Chairman requested an earlier delivery of any papers for the Scrutiny Committee given that the Chairman’s briefing usually takes place some 7-10 days before the Scrutiny Committee

 

NOTED the CCGs healthier budget position for 15/16, whilst recognising the existing pressures.

 

RECOMMENDED that a more detailed budget report be submitted to the December meeting.

 

40.

Winter Resilience Planning - Update pdf icon PDF 212 KB

 

To receive a presentation on the Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group’s Winter Resilience Plan and receive an update on the continued work to refine and deliver a responsive and high quality emergency care system.

 

Minutes:

 

The Acting Director of Strategy and System Redesign outlined the collaborative approach undertaken to plan for the winter period that took account of the lessons learnt in previous years and actions taken to reduce emergency admissions.

 

In light of the presentation Members queried the following:-

·          The proactive action that had been taken to reduce the number of non-elective admissions to hospital in light of which the Acting Director advised that BCCG looked at trends, capacity and predictive modelling for services. An in-depth report on emergency admissions in Central Bedfordshire had been received bt the Better Care Fund Board. As part of the better care fund work a ‘Caring Together’ pilot is commencing from the 1st November 2015 to  identify groups of patients with multiple conditions and at high risk of hospital admission.  A national winter communications campaign has also commenced. BCCG is continuing  to work with local providers to ensure residents are able to access the right care in right place at the right time, ensuring that avoidable hospital admissions are reduced

·         Concerns regarding the delays in residents obtaining an appointment to receive flu jabs and whether local GPs could meet demand, which the Acting Director agreed to review.

·         Whether reassurance could be provided that communication between GPs and Hospitals in respect of hospital discharge had improved and whether performance in dealing with slips, trips and falls in a period of bad weather had a big impact on hospital admissions performance.  The Acting Director advised all partner agencies were in close contact during bad weather to ensure patients received the care they needed following discharge.

·         The effective role undertaken by the voluntary sector and carers to ensure patients were able to return home from hospital despite the absence of support from a family member, which the Acting Director advised the BCCG would continue to promote.

·         Whether the campaign to steer residents to use the pharmacy for general illnesses had achieved its goal and reduced the numbers seeking a GP appointment.  The Acting Director confirmed that GPs and Pharmacists worked closely and co-commissioning would be an opportunity to improve services.

·         Whether GP surgeries were able to cope with demand in light of the number of new housing developments nearing completion.  The Acting Director confirmed BCCG was aware of new demand in areas and would look into specific concerns raised by Members.

·         Whether BCCG could consider providing reassurance to patients on the service they can expect from their GP.

·         Whether there was resilience in the system to deal with social care discharges.  The Director advised the service had performed well, however, improvements were under constant discussion with partners.

 

RECOMMENDED that the Committee welcomes all efforts to provide an efficient service during a period of greater call on health services and looks forward to a positive report as to the effectiveness of the resilience plan 15/16 with a report back at the end of the winter.

 

41.

IVF Service - Update pdf icon PDF 123 KB

To receive a verbal update on the outcome of the BCCG’s redesigned IVF Service in its first six months of implementation and scrutinise the impact on patients and their satisfaction with the new service in Central Bedfordshire.

 

Minutes:

 

The Acting Director of Strategy and System Redesign introduced a presentation that outlined the clinical outcomes of the designed IVF service and revised criteria.  The Committee were reassured there had been no adverse feedback from users of the service.

 

RECOMMENDED that the Committee looks to the BCCG to continue to monitor the safety and quality of the fertility services and to monitor patient experience complaints and compliments through their operational governance processes.

 

42.

Central Bedfordshire SEND Preparing for Adulthood Strategy (14-25) pdf icon PDF 476 KB

 

To receive an update on the implementation of the Central Bedfordshire SEND Preparing for Adulthood strategy (14-25) which was presented to Executive on 31 March 2015.

 

Minutes:

 

The Assistant Director Adult Social Care and Assistant Director School Improvement outlined the implementation of the SEND reforms and the excellent partnership working with the Special Needs Action Panel (SNAP) who had helped in the delivery of the changes and to prepare young people for adulthood. 

 

In light of queries it was confirmed that throughout 2016 the Council would encourage further engagement in the process with those who found it more difficult to communicate.  It was also confirmed that several newly qualified social workers had been recruited by the Social Worker Academy to ensure an appropriate skills mix.  The use of agency social workers was at its lowest level in some time for both adults and children’s services.

 

RECOMMENDED:

1.    That the Committee welcomes the measures put into place to smooth the transition for young people with SEN and disabilities into adulthood.

2.    That the Committee looks forward to learning that all elements of the framework across all stakeholders within CBC have been implemented and put into practice.

 

Video link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y29jWXkPv1g

43.

Fees and Charges 2016

 

To receive the directorate’s relevant fees and charges information, noting the Executive proposals and influencing where appropriate changes to the fees and charges prior to Council.

 

Full details are available on the Executive papers dated 06 October 2015

http://centralbeds.moderngov.co.uk/documents/g4944/Public%20reports%20pack%20Tuesday%2006-Oct-2015%2009.30%20EXECUTIVE.pdf?T=10

 

The relevant appendices, A, B, C, D, E and a supplementary page are attached.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

The Head of Financial Performance introduced the fees and charges proposed for 2015 that form part of the Medium Term Financial Plan that related to Social Care Health and Housing. 

 

In light of the report Members queried the price differential for guest rooms per night.  The Head of Finance advised that accommodation at Priory View reflected the high standard. 

 

Following queries from Members the Executive Member agreed to circulate further details on self funder brokerage administration fees; laundry charges; and transport to day centres and VAT charges.  The Director also agreed to review the yearly charge for garages.

 

NOTED the generally modest increase in charges in line with inflation.

 

44.

Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2014-15 pdf icon PDF 71 KB

To consider the Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2014/15 and reflect on how to raise awareness of the service with the public and in communities.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

The Head Safeguarding and Quality Improvement introduced the Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire Safeguarding Adult Board annual report and outlined key pieces of work the included new statutory duties of the Care Act.

 

In light of the information and clarification, Members of the Committee queried:

·         Whether work to eradicate further cases of modern day slavery, similar to the incident at a Gypsy and Traveller site in Leighton Buzzard was in hand.  The Director advised that a meeting of the Chairs of the Safeguarding Adults Board, Local Safeguarding Children’s Board, Community  Safety Partnership Board and the Health and Wellbeing Board did meet to  discuss practices such as modern slavery and child sexual exploitation where each Board has a responsibility.

·         Whether checks and safeguards were in place to protect the vulnerable living in one room within large buildings.  The Director acknowledged the pressures on housing system, however, was not aware of this practice in Central Bedfordshire. 

·         The assurances that could be provided to ensure that safeguarding incidents would not occur.  The Director reassured the Committee that although there was no cast iron guarantee the new legislation made it a responsibility of several partners and the Council would remain vigilant.

·         How we can ensure that incidents of hate crimes affecting the disabled were appropriately reported.  The Head of Safeguarding advised this was a priority for the service, which would be working in partnership with the voluntary sector to raise awareness and visit special schools.  The Executive Member would arrange a briefing session for Members to target this area and raise awareness

 

RECOMMENDED that the Committee looks to Board Members to meet their declared strategic aims for 2015/16, to take account of the learning identified in the annual report with particular reference to 2.5.4., the actions to be taken and to build upon last years declared successes.

 

45.

Q1 2015/16 Performance Report pdf icon PDF 175 KB

 

To consider performance monitoring information for the first quarter of 2015/16.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

The Committee received the Q1 performance for the month of April – June 2015.  Members were reminded of the continued historic red indicators that related to extra care homes and personal budgets. 

 

NOTED the good work and understand where targets had not been reached.

 

46.

Work Programme 2015/16 and Executive Forward Plan pdf icon PDF 55 KB

 

The report provides Members with details of the currently drafted Committee work programme and the latest Executive Forward Plan.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

The Committee considered the current work programme.

 

RECOMMENDED that subject to the addition of those items noted in the Minutes, that the work programme be approved.