northlincs.gov.uk

PRESENT:  Councillor Barker in the chair.

Councillors Sidell (vice-chairman), Collinson, Ellerby, C Sherwood, Simpson and Wells.

The panel met at Pittwood House, Scunthorpe.

120  DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS AND DECLARATIONS OF WHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS – Mr D Gillon, Scrutiny Officer in attendance, declared a non-pecuniary interest, minute 122 refers, as his wife worked for the Alcohol and Drugs Service.

No whip was declared.  

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

122  REVIEW OF ALCOHOL MISUSE IN NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE –

(i) Discussions with Martin Garfitt, Licensing Officer and Police Constable Steven Turner – The Service Director Legal and Democratic explained that due to the rescheduling of the meeting, representatives from Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would be attending a future meeting.  Members were advised that Martin Garfitt, Licensing Officer for Humberside Police and P.C. Steven Turner had been invited to speak about their involvement with tackling alcohol misuse within the town centre and also rural areas of North Lincolnshire.

Members were advised that the current economic downturn had not led to the anticipated reduction of people within the town centre at a weekend or a reduction in alcohol related crime.  Figures had remained constant and equivalent to those recorded a year ago.

Martin Garfitt explained that establishments throughout North Lincolnshire had been visited to ensure that they complied with licensing regulations.  In addition planned purchase testing had been conducted prior to Christmas, with child purchases and also with adults purchasing for children.  It was reported that two establishments had failed the testing.

The panel received further information on the effectiveness of the Night Safe Scheme, and how this had been given a good coverage over the Christmas period, with many of those involved being able to identify the persistent troublemakers.  In addition the Safe Haven scheme, which had been funded solely by Mr Gary Bulmer, Maximum Security, had again provided a vital service to the town centre with 33 people being treated during the period 19 December 2008 until 1 January 2009.  This had in turn led to a reduction in referrals to Accident and Emergency (A&E) and the associated costs.

Members engaged in further discussions over emerging concerns that parents may be purchasing alcohol for their underage children, the ongoing work of the Respect team and how there was no evident reduction in the amount of alcohol that had been seized recently and whether there were any emerging age patterns.

It was explained that the children found in possession of alcohol were not willing to discuss where and how they had obtained the alcohol.   The Respect team were aware that purchasers also trawled the streets looking for potential customers and that any information/intelligence given from the public to identify these people would be acted upon.

Members asked whether there were any figures/statistics for alcohol related admissions to the A&E department.  PC Turner and Martin Garfitt both confirmed that this data had not been available for the last two years and coincided with East Midlands Ambulance Service being commissioned within the area.  It was explained that the information could be recorded on the ambulance admissions form, however at present there was no such request for this information.  It was agreed that this information would be very beneficial for future reference.

Resolved – (a) That the position be noted, and (b) that Martin Garfitt and PC Steven Turner be thanked for their attendance at the meeting and for their contribution to discussions.

(ii) Next Stages – The Chair expressed concerns over the lack of information collected by East Midland Ambulance Service with regards to alcohol related incidents and suggested that contact be made to ascertain whether it would be possible to have incidents mapped for the area.

It was agreed that the following be contacted as potential future witnesses:-

• Gary Bulmer, Maximum Security – to discuss the Safe Haven scheme.
• Learning, Schools and Communities Services – to see how alcohol misuse is covered within schools, what education programme is provided within schools and whether this is sufficient.
• Reschedule Acute Trust from Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Resolved – That the position be noted.

123  CENTRE FOR PUBLIC SCRUTINY (CfPS) BID – The Inverse Care law and the links between Practice Based Commissioning, Deprivation and Health Inequalities –  The Chair confirmed that the panel had been successful with its bid to the CfPS and that up to £10,000 had been approved for the funding of this review.  It was pointed out though that there was pressure from the CfPS to complete the review by May 2009.

Following discussions, it was agreed that a sub group would take on the responsibility for this review, Councillor Sidell (chairman), Councillor Eckhardt and Councillor Simpson.  The Chair confirmed that he would act as substitute for the sub group if needed, and Councillor Ellerby also asked to be considered as substitute if the need arose.

Resolved – (a) That the position be noted, (b) that the composition and membership of the sub-group be approved, (c) that Councillor Sidell liaise with the Mr D Gillon, Scrutiny Officer to discuss the brief and decide how to proceed, and (d) that all information considered by the sub-group be reported to the full panel for its consideration.

124  (18)  NHS NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE – Consultation of their draft Single Equality Scheme – A copy of the draft report had been circulated for perusal.  The Service Director Legal and Democratic invited comments from the panel.

Amendments were suggested and noted.

Resolved – (a) That the position be noted, and (b) that the suggested amendments be submitted to NHS North Lincolnshire by the Service Director Legal and Democratic.

125  (19) LEADER OF THE COUNCIL’S FORWARD PLAN – The Service Director Legal and Democratic circulated the Leader of North Lincolnshire Council’s Forward Plan for January to April 2009.

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.

126  HEALTHCARE COMMISSION DECLARATIONS – Update for members – The Service Director Legal and Democratic reminded the members that for the last four years the Healthier Communities and Older People Scrutiny Panel had been asked for a commentary on Service Providers.  The document required evidence based facts to substantiate whether or not the 24 core standards were being met.

It was agreed that the information be presented before the panel at the meeting in March, this would ensure there was sufficient time to obtain feedback before 1 May 2009, which was the closing date for the submission.

Resolved – That the position be noted.

127  PERFORMANCE MONITORING ARRANGEMENTS – The Chair invited the Service Director Legal and Democratic Service to address the panel.

Members were advised that meetings had taken place with the Performance Manager, Scrutiny Officers and also the Manager of the Local Strategic Partnership, to map out an acceptable solution for overview and scrutiny’s involvement within the Performance Monitoring Arrangements.  A solution had been reached, and this had been presented to chairs and vice-chairmen at the last meeting of the Scrutiny Coordinating Panel for approval.

The Service Director Legal and Democratic confirmed that the arrangements had been approved and referred members of the panel to the information that had been circulated.

Resolved – (a)  That the position be noted, and (b) that the Director for Public  Health, who is the appropriate thematic lead, be invited to attend a future meeting of the panel.

128  CENTRE FOR PUBLIC SCRUTINY – FREE TRAINING SESSION – The Service director Legal and Democratic advised members of the panel that the chair and vice-chair of the panel had met with Robin Stonebridge to discuss training requirements.  It was explained that a half-day training session had been suggested and two dates recommended.

After further discussion it was agreed that 9 March 2009 would be the most convenient date for members of the panel to attend.  Details would be confirmed.

Resolved – That the position be noted.

129  PROPOSEDCHANGES TO THE MIDWIFERY MODEL OF CARE – The Service Director Legal and Democratic advised that he had been contacted by the Midwifery team as they proposed to make changes to the model of care.  An offer had been extended for all members of the Healthier Communities and Older People Scrutiny Panel to meet with the Midwifery team on 26 February 2009, to discuss the proposed changes.

Members asked if information could be obtained and circulated prior to the meeting.  The Service Director Legal and Democratic was to enquire.

Resolved – That the position be noted.

130  DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH’S ANNUAL PUBLIC HEALTH REPORT 2008 – The Service Director Legal and Democratic provided all members of the panel with a copy of the recently published report.  A decision was reached that members would discuss the contents contained within the report at the next scheduled meeting of the panel.

Resolved – That the position be noted

131  UNITED LINCOLNSHIRE HOSPITALS – The Service Director Legal and Democratic advised that a consultation process was underway and that feedback would be welcomed from members of the Healthier Communities and Older People Scrutiny panel.

Resolved – (a) That the position be noted, and (b) that a copy of the consultation document be forwarded to Councillor Ellerby.