Agenda and minutes

The Chairman reminded everyone present that the meeting would be broadcast live to the Internet, and that the Council had adopted a protocol for the webcasting of its meetings.

It was noted that Councillors A Boyce and Mrs M Sartin were substituting for Councillors T Church and B Rolfe respectively.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the last meeting of the Committee held on 16 July 2013 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Councillor G Chambers declared a non pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda, by virtue of being employed by Barts Health NHS Trust. He advised that he would remain in the meeting for the duration of the item:

·         Item 6 Presentation on Health and Social Care Issues

The Chairman introduced Dr K Bishai, Vice Chairman of the West Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Mr D Westcott, Chief Financial Officer, who made a presentation regarding health and care and their plans for the communities health and social care for the next 5 to 10 years. Their presentation was entitled “My Health, My Future, My Say.”

Dr K Bishai outlined the area covered by West Essex CCG, stretching from Chigwell to Saffron Walden.

He advised:

(1)  Health and care provision would change over the next 10 years.

(2)  Services would become more person-centred, require fewer organisations and have a single commissioning body.

(3)  Public services were under pressure, with a need to control debts.

(4)  Clinical evidence had shown that early intervention and avoiding hospital stays assisted in reducing costs.

(5)  Technology, such as telehealth, enabled more home care.

(6)  There were significant challenges with an aging population, for example dementia.

(7)  There were wider issues to explore affecting health, for example housing, transport and education.

Dr K Bishai and Mr D Westcott issued a feedback form on health services, the deadline was 30 September 2013, and could be accessed at www.westessexccg.nhs.uk

Following the presentation, the two representatives of CCG took member’s questions.

(a)  Councillor K Angold-Stephens asked what does the CCH propose to do in relation to dissatisfaction felt by many residents about GP out of hours services.

Dr K Bishai replied that a raft of proposals regarding primary care services were being introduced, he asked for people to be patient but assured members that they would experience changes.

(b)  Councillor K Angold-Stephens advised of the recent investigation into care at Whipps Cross Hospital which identified failings in a number of areas. Many residents in the south of the district used this hospital, what influence did the West Essex CCG have with making improvements?

Dr K Bishai said that the hospital received regular visits by quality teams. He thought that it was unfortunate that bad aspects of hospital services were always reported above positive aspects.

(c)  Councillor Mrs M Sartin asked how funding now operated, how was the CCG funded and how did they feed funding into services?

Mr D Westcott advised that the CCG did not have the same financial responsibility as the defunct PCT. Public health funding was being facilitated by local authorities like the county council and NHS England had the responsibility for General Practitioners.

(d)  Councillor Mrs A Mitchell MBE referred to the Patient’s Charter and the care of discharged patients.

Dr K Bishai replied that this was a high priority, it was important to stop people from being admitted to hospital in the first place, with better care. Mr D Westcott advised that they were working with social services to ensure that patients were discharged safely and appropriately.

(e)  Councillor J Philip asked how much influence/guidance did the CCG have over GPs? With some practices growing larger provision had suffered, patients may prefer going to Accident and Emergency instead.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

The Committee reviewed the Cabinet’s agenda for their 9 September 2013 meeting but there were no specific items that the Committee wanted to be brought to their attention.

The Deputy Chief Executive presented the Corporate Plan Key Objectives 2013/14 – Quarter 1 Progress Report to the committee.

The Corporate Plan was the Council’s key strategic planning document, setting out service delivery priorities over the four year period from 2011/12 to 2014/15. Updates to the Corporate Plan were published annually reflecting the key objectives for each year of the plan period and progress against the achievement of objectives for previous years.

The Corporate Plan for 2011/12 to 2014/15 translated the vision for the district set out by the Community Strategy into the Council’s Strategic decision, priorities and the most important outcomes that it wanted to achieve. The plan prioritised resources to provide quality services and value for money.

Councillor D Wixley referred to the Determination of a planning application for the nursery site at Pyrles Lane, although this item was On Track, the planning application involved was entered as refused.

The Deputy Chief Executive advised that a new planning application would be submitted in December 2013.

Councillor D Wixley asked if glasshouses were required for this site. The Deputy Chief Executive advised that officers were currently engaged in of competitive dialogue for the waste management contract and market testing of grounds maintenance. Discussions had shown that most local authorities brought in plants rather than grew from seeds.

Councillor D Wixley referred to the Delivery Regeneration Action Plan for Council Land at the Broadway, Loughton where would the church be re-located?

The Vice Chairman advised that the Methodist Church at Mannock Drive was in disrepair and its users were looking to re-locate.

Councillor D Wixley asked about the Development of depot provision at Oakwood Hill, Loughton, there was a reference to a geo- technical survey.

The Deputy Chief Executive replied that he would ask technical officers to respond directly on the issue of contamination.

Councillor J Philip asked about the Internal/External communications plan. The Deputy Chief Executive advised that it was currently in draft format and would be submitted to Management Board.

RESOLVED:

That the Corporate Plan Key Objectives 2013/14 – Quarter 1 Progress be noted.

The committee reviewed the Overview and Scrutiny work programmes.

(1)    Overview and Scrutiny Committee

(a)  Item 12 Mental Health Services in the District. It was suggested that this should be examined again, particularly following the presentation at tonight’s meeting.

(b)  Item 14 receive a presentation from the local Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB) on their general services to include how the Welfare Mitigation posts funded by the District Council were working out and to include an analysis of users.

This item was scheduled for the October committee. Members requested that the CAB presentation should include the development of a CAB venue in the Limes Farm area, the impact welfare reforms were having on the CAB’s work following Council funding provision, the current issues over CAB offices and how the CAB provided support for the northern part of the district.

(2)    Housing Scrutiny Standing Panel

It was noted that the last meeting scheduled for July, had been cancelled.

(a)  Items 5 and 6, 12 month progress report on Housing Strategy Action Plan 2012/13 and Housing Strategy Action Plan 2013/14 were being put back to October.

(3)    Constitution and Member Services Scrutiny Standing Panel

It was advised by the Panel Chairman that the Panel had not met since the last Overview and Scrutiny Committee in July. For the September Panel meeting there was only one item, Process review on Appointment of Vice Chairman of the Council.

(4)    Safer, Cleaner, Greener Scrutiny Standing Panel

It was advised that the Panel was meeting on 29 October.

(5)    Planning Services Scrutiny Standing Panel

It was noted that the Panel meeting on 10 September would discuss the Revised Planning Application Validation Checklist, a report on the Planning Electronic Document Management System, respond to the Brentwood Borough Local Plan Preferred Options Consultation and consider the Draft Enforcement Plan.

(6)    Finance and Performance Management Scrutiny Standing Panel

The next Panel meeting was on 17 September.

(7)    Overview and Scrutiny Review Task and Finish Panel

It was advised that the meeting scheduled for 7 October would be charged to another date, to be confirmed. This would be the final Panel meeting.