Issue - meetings

To receive the report and recommendations of the Health Select Commission in respect of its review of Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Recovery Services.

Consideration was given to the scrutiny review report which set out the main findings and recommendations from the cross-party spotlight scrutiny review of Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Recovery Services for Adults undertaken by the Health Select Commission. 

Evidence was gathered by presentations, interviews seminars and a visit to the treatment centre at Carson House.  Thanks were paid to everyone who provided evidence for the review and in particular Anne Charlesworth, Ruth Fletcher-Brown, Louise Hayter and Teresa Roche from RMBC, Diane Graham and Matt Pollard from RDash, Gemma Hewitt from the CCG, Members of the Health Select Commission and Councillor Roche, Cabinet Member for their input and shaping the lines of enquiry.

The negative impact of drug and alcohol abuse not only affected the individual but also their families, children and communities.  For the Members that took part the knowledge of drug and alcohol misuse was enhanced and presented a detailed analysis about drug and alcohol dependency and suicides.  The findings were laid out in detail along with a comprehensive set of recommendations.

The report was presented for information to share the review findings with the wider membership of the Council. Following this meeting, the Cabinet and Commissioners would be required to respond formally to the recommendations and indicate agreement or otherwise and what action would be taken to implement the recommendations, together with details of timescales and accountabilities.

Members welcomed the report and its recommendations which would be looked at in due course.  Councillor Roche wished to refer to Recommendation 3 relating to the work in the south of the Borough which was excellent and which ought to be extended.  This was funded by what was the then Wentworth Valley Area Assembly and he had Ward Members welcoming them considering from their Ward funds this work continuing.  He welcomed people in getting in touch with the Cabinet Member or Terri Roche.

Councillor Steele, on behalf of Scrutiny wished to thank Councillors Evans and Short and the rest of the Members for their work on this review.  This highlighted the role of Scrutiny in policy decisions and that the work undertaken the Cabinet Members appreciate this and hoped this could be supported fully.

The Leader pointed out that this was the opportunity for a group of Councillors to influence and shape the policy in public.  He thanked the group for the work and others on the work they had done and the need to raise awareness of such an important issue.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report and recommendations in respect of Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services be noted.

(2)  That the response of Cabinet be reported back to the Health Select Commission.

Mover:-  Councillor Evans                          Seconder:-  Councillor Short

Consideration was given to a report which outlined the main findings and recommendations from the cross-party spotlight scrutiny review of Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Recovery Services for adults undertaken by the Health Select Commission.

Resolved:-

1.    That the review report and recommendations be agreed.

2.    That the report to be forwarded to Cabinet and Commissioners for their consideration and to Council for information.

3.    That the response from Cabinet and Commissioners be reported back to the Health Select Commission.