Agenda and minutes

The Chair made the following announcements:-

Community Health Centre

Members of the Panel were invited to visit the Community Health Centre on Thursday 11^th March 2010 at 10.00 am to see the facilities and services provided.  Anyone who was interested in attending should contact Delia Watts or Ben Knight.

Meeting of the South Yorkshire Joint Health Scrutiny Committee

A meeting of the South Yorkshire Joint Health Scrutiny Committee was to be held at Sheffield Town Hall, on Thursday 18^th March 2010 at 11.00 am to discuss proposed service changes at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals.  Councillors Jack and Barron were to attend, but there was an additional place available for another elected member to attend.  Anyone interested should contact Delia Watts or Ben Knight.

Joint Strategic Needs Assessments – in Yorkshire and Humber “Confronting the challenges; sharing lessons, building local solutions”

The above was to take place on Tuesday 23^rd March 2010 at the Royal Armouries, Leeds from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm.  Any expressions of interest should be made to Delia Watts or Ben Knight.

Quality Accounts – Joint meeting with Rotherham LINk

The LINk have agreed to host a joint meeting to look at the draft quality accounts for RDASH and the Rotherham Foundation Trust on Thursday 29^th April 2010 at their offices on Coke Hill, Rotherham.  Anyone wishing to attend should contact Delia Watts or Ben Knight.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care reported that contracts had now been signed for the Carers Centre on Drummond Street.  The building was in good condition and it was hoped that it would be ready for its official opening in the near future.

No declarations of interest were made at the meeting.

There were no members of the public and press present at the meeting.

Consideration was given to the Adult Services Forward Plan of Key Decision between 1^st February 2010 and 30^th April 2010.

Resolved:- That the information be noted.

Delia Watts, Scrutiny Adviser presented the submitted report which gave a timetable for completion of the Scrutiny Review into the barriers to breastfeeding.

A scrutiny review group had been set up, a little over a year ago to look at why there were low levels of breastfeeding in the borough, despite clear evidence that it gives the best health outcomes for both mother and child.

Although a substantial amount of evidence had been heard during the early part of 2009, progress had been slowed considerably since due to a number of resource issues.

However the review was now back on track and would be completed over the next few weeks.  A timetable showing the deadlines for the remaining tasks was detailed as follows:-

Resolved:- That the timetable be noted.

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 21^st January 2010 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chair.

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care held on 21^st December 2009 and 11^th January 2010 be noted and received.

The following item is likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March 2006) (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular individual (including the Council)

Resolved:- That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Tom Cray, Strategic Director for Neighbourhoods and Adult Services, gave a powerpoint presentation on the budget 2010/11 and beyond. 

The presentation drew attention to savings and investments proposals developed having regard to:-

-        The Budget Gap

-        Current spend in Service areas compared to similar Councils

-        Service performance compared to similar Councils

-        Current Service spending pressures

-        Proposals to bridge the budget gap

-        Directorate specific saving proposals.

It was noted that detailed proposals would be considered by the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee at its meeting on 12^th February, 2010.