To receive any apologies for absence and notification of any substitute members.

There were no apologies for absence.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 30 April 2009.

The minutes of the meeting held on 30 April 2009 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive from Members declarations and the nature thereof in relation to:-

(a)   personal interests in any agenda item

(b)   personal and prejudicial interests in any agenda item

(c)   any political whip in relation to items on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest nor of the existence of a political whip.

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

The following announcements and communications were received:-

(i)                 The Chairman advised that with the agreement of the Committee she proposed to change the order of the agenda to achieve good time management for the attendant guests. It was agreed to take item 11, Bedfordshire and Luton Mental Health and Social Care Partnership NHS Trust, immediately after item 8.

(ii)               The Chairman advised that the recent meeting of the East of England Scrutiny Chairs’ Forum had been advised that Bedfordshire was in the first tranche of receiving dialysis stations with 20 stations to be introduced in Bedfordshire and 8 in Luton. Nicola Bell, NHS Bedfordshire, advised that the Committee would receive a report on this in due course.

(iii)             The Chairman advised that the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee had expressed the intention of requiring strategies to come to Overview and Scrutiny Committees before being agreed by the Executive. Councillor Drinkwater, Portfolio Holder for Housing spoke in support of this approach.

To receive petitions in accordance with the scheme of public participation set out in Annex 2 in Part A4 of the Constitution.

No petitions had been received.

This is an opportunity for questions, statements or deputations from members of the public in accordance with the Public Participation Procedure set out in section A4 of the Council’s Constitution.

Bob Smith of LINk (Local Involvement Networks) advised the Committee that Arthur Dennis had resigned as Chairman of LINk locally although he would remain a member of the body. Mr Smith also commented that in view of there being no regional LINk, it was hoped that the local LINk would be permitted to provide input to the specialist commissioning group looking at the high spend required on rare health conditions.

The Chairman commented that the minutes of the regional Overview and Scrutiny Chairs meetings may be of interest to members of the Committee and she would liaise with Bernard Carter, Overview and Scrutiny Manager, regarding making these available.

To consider proposals, if any, to deal with any item likely to involve disclosure of exempt information as defined in the relevant paragraph(s) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 prior to the exclusion of the press and public.

There were no matters anticipated as involving the disclosure of exempt information.

To consider any matter referred to the Committee in relation to the call-in of a decision.

No call-ins had been received.

To provide Members with an overview of the key issues and challenges facing the Directorate to assist Members in establishing an annual work programme for the Committee.

Julie Ogley, Director of Social Care, Health and Housing gave a presentation setting out an overview of performance and key issues for adult social care and housing.

The presentation included explanations on Central Bedfordshire Council’s legacy, views of the Regulator and Government Office concerns about Adult Care; safeguarding of adults, matters in relation to Mental Health services; delivery of the national agenda including transformation of care and services, partnership arrangements and the care market and the need for specific strategies to be in place.    

It was noted that a work programme was currently being established for the Directorate. This would be brought to the Committee at the next meeting to assist with identifying appropriate items for the Committee’s work programme. The performance management basis was also being established and monitoring reports would be brought to the Committee on a regular basis.

The Director commented on the importance of the Council understanding that social care was at the heart of priorities and transformation for the Council. Achieving excellent social care services would be a journey taking between three to four years. Performance needed to be embedded so that it did not slip when focus shifted to other priorities.

RESOLVED:-

1. to note the presentation and thank the Director of Social Care, Health and Housing for her unambiguous explanations;

2. that the Directorate’s Work Programme would be brought to the next meeting to consider how  the Committee’s Work Programme would dovetail with it.

There will be an open discussion on appropriate topics for review.

Following on from the presentation given by the Director under the last item, a number of items were identified for inclusion in the Work Programme together with the dates when they could appropriately be considered.

The Chairman indicated that the lists of matters for the Committee to consider, including items identified by Councillor Male, the Chairman of the Committee in the interim period prior to the June elections, would be amalgamated and brought to the next meeting of the Committee.

Councillor Goodchild asked that Wheelchair Services should be a matter looked into by the Committee.

The Chairman reported that the National Audit Office had identified failures in the NHS regarding Rheumatoid Arthritis and asked for this to be added to the list of future items for consideration by the Committee.

A request was made for an update from NHS Bedfordshire on estates management regarding those in Steppingley, Dunstable, Sandy and Biggleswade.

RESOLVED that the lists of items for the Committee to consider be amalgamated into one list to be brought to the next meeting, and that list would include the following items:

• Regular performance monitoring reports (quarterly)
• Position statement on Adult Social Care – September meeting
• Empty Homes – August meeting
• Transformation Strategy – October meeting
• Key Performance Indicators – August meeting
• Challenges Facing NHS Bedfordshire – no date set
• Amalgamated list of items for the Work Programme – August meeting
• Wheelchair Services – no date set
• Rheumatoid Arthritis Care – no date set
• NHS Bedfordshire estates management – Steppingley, Dunstable, Sandy, Biggleswade – no date set

To receive an update regarding the status of the Partnership Trust (report to follow).

Members considered a report which had been circulated prior to the meeting setting out the next steps in the Bedfordshire and Luton NHS Trust tender process. The report provided an explanation of the impact of the “as is” transfer and the principal benefits of the project. It was noted that the tender process provided a ground-breaking opportunity for people living locally and for the commissioners of Central Bedfordshire, Bedford Borough and Luton Borough Councils to seek a new provider of the mental health and learning disability services. It was anticipated that this would enable the quality of the services and value for money to be improved.

The Committee welcomed Bernard Harrison (Vice-Chairman) and Daisy Bogg (Director) from Bedfordshire and Luton Mental Health and Social Care Partnership NHS Trust and also Andrew Macpherson, NHS East of England and Nicola Bell, NHS Bedfordshire.

The Committee was given a presentation which provided details of the project handover following the decision taken earlier in the year that the Bedfordshire and Luton Mental Health and Social Care Partnership would merge with another Trust to achieve Foundation Trust status. This included information on priorities to be secured through the Foundation Trust status, wide membership of an inclusive Project Board, a competitive NHS process and the process and timetable.

The Director of Social Care, Health and Housing gave a presentation on delivering world  class mental health services through partnership. This addressed the requirements to be provided by the mental health services, priorities for mental health tendering for social care services, joined-up services and delivering across boundaries to an excellent standard; consistent and safe transformational services, governance and innovative service delivery; and using needs analysis and user feedback to plan and deliver partnership services.

It was noted that Central Bedfordshire Council was working closely with key players, attending weekly and fortnightly meetings. Andrew Macpherson indicated that this collaborative approach was very much  welcomed. The Director commented that the Council was keen to ensure an outcome of excellent services.

Nicola Bell than gave a presentation on NHS Bedfordshire and NHS Luton developing world class services through partnership. Issues which were covered included priorities for achievement, ambitions, and existing partnerships; and also NHS Bedfordshire’s future commitment to the scrutiny process.

A suggestion was made that Bedfordshire Police Authority should be included within the joined-up partnership working. A comment was made that it was important to reach out to vulnerable parts of the community, for example people with an illness or a condition such as autism who behaved in unexpected ways.

An observation was made that the National Dementia Strategy provided an opportunity for Overview & Scrutiny Committees nationally to invite PCTs to explain how they were working to achieve its aims. In response, it was noted that Bedfordshire PCT was working with the Council in accordance with the national strategy. The Director indicated that matters which needed addressing included insufficient community provision, access to services over 24 hours a day and 7 days a week and improving the range of options  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

To appoint four members of the Committee to a Joint Committee with Bedford Borough Council to consider NHS Bedfordshire’s response to the final report of the previous Joint Committee, thereby drawing to a close the review of this Strategic Plan.

The Committee considered a report setting out the next steps regarding the scrutiny of NHS Bedfordshire’s draft Strategic Plan 2009-2013.

RESOLVED:-

1.                  to note the report;

2.                  to appoint the following as the Council’s members of the Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire Councils’ Joint Health Scrutiny Committee undertaking the scrutiny of NHS Bedfordshire’s draft Strategic Plan entitled A Healthier Bedfordshire:-

·        Councillors Sparrow, Andrew Turner and Rawcliffe (Conservative Group)

·        Councillor Goodchild (Liberal Democrat Group).

To consider the current Forward Plan, to determine whether any items require further review.

The Committee considered the Executive’s Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period starting 1 July 2009. It was noted that the Executive would be considering the Empty Dwellings Management Orders Review at its meeting on 21 July 2009, and a request was made that this be brought to the August meeting of the Committee. It was also noted that Local Transport Needs which would be considered by the Executive was a matter which related to more than one Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s remit. The Overview & Scrutiny Management Committee would be considering where this would be best placed for review.

RESOLVED that the Committee consider the Executive’s decision on the Empty Dwellings Management Orders Review at its August meeting.

The next meeting is scheduled to be held on Thursday 13 August 2009.

The Committee noted that the next meeting would be held on 13 August 2009 at Priory House, Chicksands starting at 10.00am. Members also noted that meetings would be held at Priory House and at the Dunstable Council Offices and would alternate between the two locations.

The Committee also considered the need for a change of date in October as there was conflict with the dates of the Conservative Party conference.

RESOLVED that the October meeting be held on 15 October 2009 at Priory House, Chicksands starting at 10.00am.

Chairman…………………………………………..

Date……………………………………………….