Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Panel (attached).

            RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 22 June 2006 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

(Head of Research and Democratic Services)  To report the appointment of any substitute members for the meeting.

Noted that there were no substitute members.

(Head of Research and Democratic Services). To declare interests in any items on the agenda.

In considering whether to declare a personal or a prejudicial interest under the Code of Conduct, Overview & Scrutiny members are asked pay particular attention to paragraph 11 of the Code in addition to the more familiar requirements.

This requires the declaration of a personal and prejudicial interest in any matter before an OS Committee which relates to a decision of or action by another Committee or Sub Committee of the Council, a Joint Committee or Joint Sub Committee in which the Council is involved and of which the Councillor is also a member.

Paragraph 11 does not refer to Cabinet decisions or attendance at an OS meeting purely for the purpose of answering questions or providing information on such a matter.

No declaration of interest were made pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct.

The draft Terms of Reference which were discussed at the last meeting are attached. Members are asked to formally approve them and refer them to the next meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for consideration.

Noted that the Terms of Reference had already been agreed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Panel, at their last meeting requested that representatives of the PCT Joint Management Committee on Services for the Elderly be invited to this meeting to discuss the services they provide as part of the evidence-gathering phase of the review. It is planned that members of the PCT will attend the meeting. Members will also recall that it was intended to invite a members of the PCT to be co-opted onto the Panel to assist with the review.

The Chairman welcomed members of the Joint Management Team for Older People. The team had been created some time ago following an older peoples summit. Its membership included:

·                Adult Social Care

·                District Council ( Housing)

·                Voluntary Action Epping Forest

·                Primary Care Trust

·                Champion/User

·                Consultant Geriatrician

·                Mental Health Trust

The Team aims and objectives were:

(i)      Consult with users to improve services for older people in Epping Forest;

(ii)     Achieve better coordination through joint working;

(iii)   Maximise resources through joint working (given limited resources);

(iv)    Share good practice;

(v)     Monitor the National Service Framework for Older People.

Members noted the changing nature of society with greater numbers of people in the 65-75 age bracket and noted some of the projects undertaken by the Team including the Tent card project and ‘Message in a Bottle’ which had been widely distributed to vulnerable groups. As there was no direct funding for the team, such projects were subject to grant funding or funding from the individual team partner organisations.

The team had also undertaken Scrutiny of the aged based policies of the PCT, had introduced a ‘falls team’ – an integrated team of staff working on fall prevention – which had been achieved by integrated working. A ‘tilt table had been purchased and this was being used locally by the falls clinic consultants, avoiding the need for patients travel.

The team had also secured funding from the Performance Fund for a full time member of staff to provide a advocacy service locally.

The team had further projects currently ongoing:

(i)         Update Services Directory;

(ii)        Seek the introduction of a One stop shop possibly linked to the Council’s Careline Service;

(iii)            Funding for nurse led clinic in sheltered housing (following recent pilot);

(iv)       Secure funding for research (to support consultations);

(v)        The implementation of telecare (one off funding now secured/ECC) – examples included links into the dispersed alarm system, fall detectors and bogus caller buttons;

(iv)       to fund further BME research;

(v)        Secure Funding for another Summit; and

(vi)       To seek to “Float” the OPAG as self managed group without losing momentum.

The Panel agreed that a lot of good work had been undertaken by the JMT since the initial summit in 1999. They considered that it was important to maintain links and to that end agreed that Kay Ellis should co-opted onto the group.

The Chairman thanked the member of the JMT for attending the meeting.

It was agreed that Councillor Mrs Whitehouse would co-ordinate comments on the proposed Older Peoples Club questionnaire.

Agreed that members would attend visits as follows:

Sheltered forum – 2/8/6               Councillors Grigg and Whitehouse

OPAG - 30/8/6                                    Councillor Wright, Whitehouse and Perry.

Careline visit/day club – 9/8/6                All members invited.

(a)            Disability Equality Duty

Councillor Whitehouse reported that she had discovered that the reference to disability should refer to ‘Disability Equality Duty’ rather than the act.

(b)        Handy Person Scheme

Councillor Stallan requested that the Panel consider the review of the Handy Person Scheme.

To be agreed.

Noted that the next meeting would be held on 5 September 2006.