People Scrutiny Panel – 17 January 2012
Councillors Barker (Vice-Chair), Evison, Godfrey, Jawaid MBE, Robinson, and Wells.
Statutory Co-opted Members: Mrs A Dunkerley (Parent Governor Representative) and Mr W Egan and Mrs W Witter (Church Representatives).
The panel met at the Civic Centre, Scunthorpe.
45 DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS AND DECLARATIONS OF WHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS (IF ANY) – Cllrs Barker, Godfrey and Wells, and Mrs Dunkerley and Witter declared personal interests as they sat on Governing Bodies. Cllr Jawaid MBE declared a personal interest as he sat on an advisory group.
No whip was declared.
46 PUBLIC REQUESTS TO SPEAK – There were no requests received.
47 CABINET MEMBER AND SERVICE AREA PRIORITIES – The Chairman welcomed Councillor Waltham, the council’s Children and Adult’s Services Cabinet Member, to the meeting. Councillor Waltham had been invited to the panel meeting to update members on any key decisions, important business or key developments which had occurred during the last quarter.
Discussion centred around the following –
- The local implementation of the Academy programme,
- Empowering Governors to lead their schools,
- Faith-based schools.
Resolved – (a) That the oral update be noted; and (b) that the council’s Children and Adult’s Services Cabinet Member be thanked for his attendance, oral update and for answering members’ questions.
48 ACADEMIES – Informal discussion with Denise Hyde, Service Director for Children and Young People and Becky McIntyre, Assistant Director – Resources, Children and Young People’s Services.
The Chairman welcomed Denise Hyde and Becky McIntyre to the meeting and explained that this was an opportunity to have an informal discussion with key officers about the local situation regarding academies. Denise gave a brief presentation setting out the local picture and invited questions from members. Members then discussed various relevant issues, including the council’s residual responsibilities, the process for becoming an academy, and the potential impact on pupils.
Resolved – (a) That Denise Hyde and Becky McIntyre be thanked for their kind attendance at the meeting, and (b) that, if requested, officers would provide a separate briefing to the council’s political groups.
49 THE COMMON ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK – The Chairman welcomed Susan Twemlow, Assistant Director – Localities and Partnerships, Children and Young People’s Services, to the meeting. Susan gave a brief presentation to the panel about the local approach to the Common Assessment Framework (CAF), explaining that all of the recommendations of the former Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel’s 2006 review had been implemented and that use of the CAF continued to increase.
Resolved – (a) That all members of the panel receive a copy of the 2006 Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel’s review of the CAF, and the 2009 revisit, for information, and (b) that members consider whether it would be a useful subject to include on the panel’s work programme.
50 (9) DOMICILIARY CARE – Members considered their draft report ‘Home Support in North Lincolnshire’.
Resolved – That the panel agree and adopt the report, and pass to cabinet for further discussion and appropriate action.
51 (10) ALLIED THERAPY CONSULTATION – Members considered a draft response to the consultation.
Resolved – (a) That the response be agreed and returned to Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and copied to all relevant stakeholders, and (b) that a response to the areas of concern set out in the document be requested from the Trust, and further considered by the panel.
52 REGIONAL HEALTH ISSUES – Members received a verbal update on several developing issues across the region relevant to the panel’s terms of reference, including children’s congenital cardiac services, children’s neurosurgery, major trauma and care for neonates.
Resolved – That members be kept informed of any further developments in these areas.
53 DERMATOLOGY AND WHEELCHAIR SERVICES – Members were informed that the Chairman and Vice-Chair were working with NHS North Lincolnshire, the British Association of Dermatologists and local providers to help address concerns around local provision. A meeting with representatives from Community Services was also being arranged for members to build up their understanding and knowledge of the local wheelchair service.
Resolved – (a) That members continue to be briefed about local dermatology issues and (b) that, when agreed, members be informed of the date of the wheelchair briefing.
54 (11) PRIOR APPROVAL POLICY – Members considered NHS North Lincolnshire’s Prior Approval Policy, which set out treatments that were not generally provided due to poor or unproven clinical or cost effectiveness. Members discussed the draft document, including the contents around breast surgery, in light of the recent controversy around PIP breast implants.
Resolved – That clarity be sought from NHS North Lincolnshire about the local position on treatment for PIP breast implants.
55 DEVELOPMENTS IN CHILDREN’S SERVICES, HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE – Members received a short, verbal update on developing issues relevant to the panel’s terms of reference.