northlincs.gov.uk

Healthier Communities and Older People Scrutiny Panel – 27 July 2010

PRESENT:  Councillor Barker in the chair.

Councillors Wells (Vice-Chairman), Ali, Collinson, Eckhardt, Simpson and Sidell.

The panel met at Pittwood House, Scunthorpe.

269  DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS AND DECLARATIONS OF WHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS (IF ANY) – The following member declared a personal interest in the following matter:-

No whip was declared.

270  PUBLIC REQUESTS TO SPEAK– There were no requests received.

271  (5)  PERFORMANCE MONITORING.  QUARTER 4 WHIP PERFORMANCE – Discussion with Frances Cunning, Director of Public Health – The chair welcomed Frances to the meeting and invited her to present the Quarter 4 WHIP data. Members discussed poorly performing indicators, such as smoking rates, engagement in the arts, and mortality rates from circulatory disease, asking questions about actions about plans to improve performance.

Frances then gave the panel an update on childhood immunisation rates, with a particular focus on under-performing rates for children under the age of two. Frances explained that an action plan was now under development and a group had been established to explore reasons for low uptake rates of childhood immunisation.

Resolved – (a) That Frances Cunning be thanked for her attendance and input, (b) that the action plan, when completed, be brought back to the panel for information, and (c) that the position be noted.

272  ALTERATION OF A FUTURE MEETING TIME – The Service Director Legal and Democratic explained that, in line with a request made by the panel on 29 June 2010, contact had been made with the Service Director Adult Services in order to update members on progress on the dementia strategy. A request was made to alter the time of the panel’s scheduled meeting on 14 September 2010 from 2pm to 10.30am to ensure attendance by appropriate officers.

Resolved – That, pending agreement by group secretaries in accordance with the council’s constitution, the time of the meeting be altered to the above.

273  VERBAL UPDATE ON DEVELOPMENTS IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE – The Service Director Legal and Democratic updated members on recent developments in the field, including the recent White Paper “Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS” and the accompanying consultation document “Liberating the NHS: Increasing Democratic Legitimacy in Health”. The panel was also updated on ongoing reviews of paediatric cardiac care and neurosurgery, major trauma response and local work on contraceptive and sexual health planning.

A draft document was also circulated, setting out an informal agreement with Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on potential service changes or other proposals that may require a level of consultation or engagement. This document was not intended to replace any statutory consultation responsibilities that the Trust must respond to.

Resolved – (a) That consideration be given to agreeing a response to the consultation document from the panel, possibly aligning this to a response from the council’s executive or the WHIP, (b) that the draft consultation and engagement document be agreed as a set or working principles, and (c) that the position be noted.

274  (6)  LEADER OF THE COUNCIL’S FORWARD PLAN – JULY TO OCTOBER – The Service Director Legal and Democratic circulated the Leader of North Lincolnshire Council’s Forward Plan for July to October 2010.

The plan contained details of all matters and issues likely to be the subject of key decisions for a period of the next four months, updated on a monthly basis.  Members discussed various items on the Forward Plan.

Resolved – That the position be noted.