northlincs.gov.uk

PRESENT: Councillor Barker in the chair.

Councillors Sidell (vice-chairman), Mrs Bromby, Collinson, Jawaid MBE, Simpson and Wells.

The panel met at Pittwood House, Scunthorpe.

113 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 116 refers, as his wife worked for the Alcohol and Drugs Service.

No whip was declared.

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

115 (16) OBESITY IN NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE –

(i) Consideration of a draft action plan prior to submission to Cabinet – The Chair welcomed Barry Hutchinson, Assistant Service Director Neighbourhood and Environment to the meeting. Members were advised that apologies had been received from Keith Ford, Service Director Neighbourhood and Environment who was unable to attend the meeting.

The Healthier Communities and Older People Scrutiny Panel agreed a set of recommendations to tackle the problem of obesity levels in North Lincolnshire. Barry Hutchinson explained that North Lincolnshire Tackling Obesity Partnership (NLTOP) had undertaken a widespread consultation, and had formulated a set of responses to the recommendations. He added that due to the timescales outlined within the North Lincolnshire Council’s Constitution, this had not enabled NLTOP to provide definite and time constrained actions, these would need more time to be considered.

Members engaged in discussion over the lack of timescales quoted within the action plan, whether a longer consultation period would have enabled NLTOP to formulate a more complete and definitive response to the recommendations made and how long it would be before the partnership would be able to provide a conclusive action plan with measurable outcomes and timescales.

Barry Hutchinson confirmed that following receipt of the Healthier Communities and Older People Scrutiny Panel’s report, NLTOP under the direction of Dr Andrew Furber, Director Of Public Health, had started the update of the Obesity Strategy 2006. He advised members of the panel that this should be completed by early February 2009. Upon completion of the revised Obesity Strategy, NLTOP would then have completed the necessary groundwork to provide a more comprehensive set of responses to the panel’s recommendations. Members were advised that realistically, the final action plan should be available for the panel and Cabinet by April 2009.

Resolved – (a) That the position be noted, and (b) that Barry Hutchinson, Assistant Service Director Neighbourhood and Environment be thanked for his attendance and information brought to the meeting, and (c) that the Chair attend the next scheduled Cabinet meeting to report on what had been discussed and the estimated timescales for a more complete action plan.

116 REVIEW OF ALCOHOL MISUSE IN NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE –

(i) Discussions with Stuart Minto, Head of Safer Neighbourhoods and Ian Cameron, Deputy Head of Safer Neighbourhoods (Substance Misuse) – The Chair welcomed Stuart Minto and Ian Cameron to the meeting and invited both to explain their role and involvement with tackling alcohol misuse within North Lincolnshire.

Stuart Minto provided an explanation of the remit of the Safer Neighbourhoods Partnership, and how under the guidance of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 they were responsible for providing a service to tackle Drug and Alcohol Misuse. Members were advised that Drug misuse had been deemed to be the major concern and that most of the work had been focused on tackling drug problems rather than alcohol related problems.

Ian Cameron, explained that performance indicators were in place to monitor work undertaken to tackle drug problems by local authorities, however there were no such indicators at present for alcohol misuse. He advised the panel that the substance misuse budget was mainly allocated to tackle drug related problems. Performance Indicators were in place to monitor the work undertaken and this ultimately had an impact on any future budget allocation.

Members engaged in discussion with Stuart Minto and Ian Cameron and asked for clarification on how serious the problem of alcohol misuse was within North Lincolnshire. Also, how the most severe alcohol misuse cases would be dealt with and what referral routes were available, how resources were prioritised between drug and alcohol misuse and what the ratio currently stood at for drug and alcohol related problems.

The panel was advised that national statistics confirmed that more people tended to drink at home, that they were drinking greater quantities and also at a younger age. The cumulative effect of this was that an estimated 25000 people within North Lincolnshire could be categorised as hazardous drinkers, with an additional 5000 dependant drinkers. The impact that this had on the Accident and Emergency Service, General Practitioners and other similar agencies was unknown at present, however Stuart Minto confirmed that a consultation was underway and it was hoped that figures would be available by April 2009.

Resolved – (a) That the position be noted, and (b) that Stuart Minto, Head of Safer Neighbourhoods and Ian Cameron, Deputy Head of Safer Neighbourhoods (Substance Misuse) be thanked for their attendance at the meeting and for their valuable input.

(ii) Next Stages – Further to discussions, the following meetings were confirmed:-

• Acute Trust – to attend the next scheduled meeting of this panel
• North Lincolnshire NHS Accident and Emergency had extended an invitation to the panel to visit the department on either a Friday or Saturday night to observe
• General Practitioners as a possible area for consideration – to be confirmed
• Night Safe scheme – to contact Gary Bulmer of Maximum Security

Resolved – That the position be noted.

117 (17) 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>.

118 PHARMACY WHITE PAPER – verbal update – The Service Director Legal and Democratic provided members with a verbal update. It was confirmed that after recent consultation, Central Government had agreed to withdraw its proposed changes.

Resolved – That the position be noted.

119 CENTRE FOR PUBLIC SCRUTINY BID – verbal update – The Service Director Legal and Democratic advised that an answer should be received by the end of the week, and that members would be advised accordingly.

It was confirmed that a possible £4000 could be made available if the bid was successful.

Resolved – That the position be noted.