Issue - meetings

Childhood Obesity

Deborah Fellowes, Scrutiny Manager, reported that the Select Commission had received a request from the Self Regulation Select Commission to look at Childhood Obesity.

The Select Commission had received a Corporate Plan Outcomes report which focussed specifically on the issue and, despite work across all agencies, remained on a red indicator.  The Health Select Commission had been requested to consider the Service recommendations together with the relevant Cabinet Member at the appropriate point in time.

Resolved:-  That a Working Group consisting of Councillors Beaumont, Beck, Hoddinott and Steel meet to consider the Service recommendations.

Environment and Climate Change Strategy Group

Resolved:-  That Councillor Beck represent the Health Select Commission on the above Group.

See Minute No. 33 for issues raised.

Care Quality Commissioning Registration: -

The Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing informed the Health Select Commission that the Health and Wellbeing Board and the Health and Wellbeing Strategy had been well received as part of this process.  In particular, the clear lines of ownership that existed, the three years of targets and the partnerships and relationships had been endorsed. 

Maltby Ambulance Station: -

The Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing reported that consultation was underway with stakeholders on the possible closure of Maltby Ambulance Station.

The Health Select Commission and the Health and Wellbeing Board agreed to seek further information from the Yorkshire Ambulance Service. 

Changes to prescriptions: -

The Vice-Chair of the Health Select Commission was aware that there were potential guidelines to stop doctors issuing prescriptions for a period of two months, making a maximum prescription length of one month.  This move could potentially double the costs of patents and could lead to patients deciding to take less medication. 

It was agreed to raise this issue at the Health and Wellbeing Board’s meeting with the Secretary of the Rotherham Pharmacology Committee in October. 

Rotherham Hospice: - 

It was reported that a meeting would take place with the Chief Executive of the Rotherham Hospice to discuss how end of life care and experience for patients could be improved as far as possible. 

(1)  Kate Green, Policy Officer, reported that at a Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts on 4^th July, 2012, it had been approved that from 2014 the Children’s Congenital Cardiac Service would be run from Newcastle, Liverpool, Bristol, Southampton and 2 in London; Leeds had not been included.

As a result of the decision, the Chair of the Regional Overview Scrutiny Committee had sent a letter to the Joint Committee expressing concern at the way the 4^th July meeting had been managed administratively.

Any further developments would be reported to the Select Commission.

(2)  The Chairman reported that the Select Commission had been requested to undertake a review of Council Residential Homes as a matter of urgency.

Resolved:-  That Councillors Barron, Beaumont, Beck and Goulty and Robert Parkin form the Review Group.

The Chairman reported that a sponsorship form was being passed around for anyone wishing to sponsor representatives of Speak Up for a 26 mile walk.

It was also reported that an e-mail had been sent to Members with regard to the NICE Public Health Draft Guidance on Obesity.  The Chairman and Vice-Chair had met and discussed putting forward positive comments.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the Chairman and Vice-Chair submit a positive response on behalf of the Select Commission.

(2)  That a copy of the response be circulated to Select Commission Members.

There was nothing to report under this item.

There was nothing to report under this item.

British Heart Foundation - Heart Town

Councillor Wyatt reported that Rotherham had recently signed an agreement with the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to become a Heart Town.  This was a joint initiative between the Council and NHSR and a 5 year programme of events and activities with support from the BHF to tackle the growing rate of heart disease in Rotherham.

Councillor Wyatt asked for any interest from Select Commission Members to join the Heart Town Steering Group, the first meeting of which would take place ion 6^th February at 10.30 a.m. at Oak House. Councillors Barron and Beaumont put their names forward.  

Councillor Wyatt, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, made reference to a couple of issues arising from the meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board which took place on Wednesday, 7^th December, 2011, which included inclusion in the terms of reference of scrutiny reviews which may benefit from a Health and Wellbeing dimension.

The Scrutiny Review into Diabetes was also considered and limited feedback was provided.  There was some reference to screening, which was the best in the region, but concern was expressed about the tone of some of the wording used by the Foundation Trust.

(1)  Councillor Blair

Councillor Jack welcomed Councillor Blair back after his recent absence due to ill health.

(2)  Single Point of Contact

A new NHS telephone service was commencing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, until the end of March, 2012, where members of the public could ring for health advice on the best place to get treatment for their illness before attending A&E.  The telephones were staffed by local doctors and nurses.

The number was 0333 321 8282.

Councillor Wyatt, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing reported the following:-

(1)        NHS Rotherham Board

            The Board had met for the last time and had migrated to a Cluster level Board which covered the 4 South Yorkshire areas and Bassetlaw, headed up by Andy Buck.

            The Cluster Commissioning Group was to meet for the first time on 3^rd October.

(2)        Health and WellBeing Board

            The Board was to hold its first meeting on 21^st September.

(3)        Public Health Annual Report

            The report was to be considered by the Cabinet on 21^st September.

(4)        Health Inequalities Summit

            Work had already commenced at the Rotherham Show (see Minute No. 17).

The Chair welcomed the new Members to the Select Commission and looked forward to their contributions.

It was noted that the Co-optees would only serve a 1 year’s term due to a review taking place later in the year.

(i)                 Presentation - Cabinet Member for Town Centres, Economic Growth and Prosperity – the Year Ahead 2011-2012 – Councillor G. Smith  (copy attached)

(ii)               Presentation - Cabinet Member for Safe and Attractive Neighbourhoods – Councillor R. McNeely (copy attached)

(iii)             Draft Work Programme – Scrutiny Adviser

The following items were reported:-

(i)                   Welcome by the Chair

The Chair, Councillor Whysall, welcomed everyone to this first meeting of the Improving Places Select Commission and acknowledged the experience and expertise which they brought with them.

Reference was made to a new way of working for scrutiny and for the Commission.

The context and background to developing the work programme was explained to the Commission.  The Overview and Scrutiny Management Board, consisting of the Chairs & Vice Chairs of the Commissions, would work together to prioritise items for the scrutiny work programme. The programme was flexible in that Commission Members would also recommend areas that they wished to examine during the course of the year.

The aims of the Commission would be more focussed and aim to provide best value for money.  This would be achieved by targeting items for in- depth reviews, spotlight reviews and having specific themes on the agendas for Commission meetings. The work programme would involve bringing in officers and outside bodies to present information to the commission in addition to conducting interviews both within and outside of the Council.

Reference was made to substantial in-year cuts to Council Services and the need for all services to work differently by focussing on priority areas.  The role of the Commission would be to act as a “watch dog” to ensure that users of service were not disadvantaged, as well as challenging poor service performance.

The Commission would work closely with the Council’s Senior Management Team, Cabinet and the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board.  Also steps would be taken to ensure that Elected Member Training and Development kept pace with the skills needed to undertake the role of scrutiny effectively.

(ii)                 Cabinet Member for Town Centres, Economic Growth and Prosperity – Priorities for the Year Ahead 2011-2012

Councillor Smith, spoke to a PowerPoint presentation outlining the priorities for services within his portfolio for the year ahead 2011-2012.

Items highlighted included:-

-          Town Centre:  Town Centre Strategy:  Town Centre Heritage Initiative

-          Business Investment

-          establishment and work of the Economy Board

-          Projects:-  Rail Station;  Minster Yard and Gardens;  Pithouse West

-          Planning:-  LDF consultation;  implication of the Localism Bill

-          Transportation and Highways Projects:-  reduced LTP Integrated Transport Programme;  A57;  Waverley Link Road

-          Asset Management:  shared services

-          Network Management:-  highway condition and new highway delivery arrangements; permit scheme for utilities;  street lighting;  winter maintenance

-          Parking Services

-          Drainage

A questions and answers session ensued covering the following issues:-

·        Car parking, including:-

Cashless parking: parking meters decommissioned or not working: payment by mobile phone.  Parking arrangements at Clifton Park -adjacent to the museum.

·        Town Centre:-

Emphasis on Rotherham town centre. Members noted the needs of other town centres within the Borough

Resolved:-  That appropriate Elected Members be invited on the Cabinet Member’s visits to local town centres.

(iii)                Cabinet Member for Safe and Attractive Neighbourhoods

Councillor McNeely spoke to a PowerPoint presentation in respect of her portfolio and highlighted the following:-

·        Expected outcomes:- That  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3