Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed Dr. Phil Foster, representing the National Commissioning Board, to his first meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board.

Agreed:-  That a report be submitted to the next meeting setting out the duties of the National Commissioning Board.

Agreed:-  That the minutes be approved as a true record. 

With regard to Minute S2 (Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy), it was clarified that there would be continual consultation and refinement.  The priorities and outcomes were the outcome of the various consultation activities that had already taken place and would be fed back to those previously involved as a reality check to ensure they were correct for Rotherham.

(a)  Obesity Strategy Group

It was noted that minutes of the above Group would be submitted to the Board in future.

It was also reported that a national event was hopefully going to be held in Rotherham in the New Year as part of Obesity Week.

(b)  Carnegie Weight Camp

A visit to the Camp was to take place on 10^th August, 2012.

(c)  Sub-Groups – Tobacco Control Alliance, Warm Homes etc.

Agreed:-  (1)  That an annual report be submitted by the Board’s Sub-Groups.

(d)  Active Always 2012 Brochure

A copy was circulated for information.

(e)  Obesity Observatory

Information from the above was circulated on the correlation between the number of fast food outlets in deprived areas.

(f)  Report Writers

A comment had been received from a member of the public regarding the use of jargon and acronyms.

It was suggested that a glossary of terms be included on the Board’s website.

(g)  Visit

John Wilderspin, Department of Health, Health and Wellbeing Boards Implementation, was to attend the Board meeting to be held on 5^th September, 2012.

(h)  Rotherham Show

Discussion ensued as to whether there should be a Clinical Commissioning Group presence at the Show to promote awareness and also use it as an opportunity to publicise the Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

Agreed:-  (2)  That a sub-group meet to co-ordinate a presence at the show.

Kate Green, Policy Officer, reported that it was the intention to consult during July and August with a view to having a final Strategy by September.  The consultation would:-

-              Ask whether the outcomes and priorities in the Strategy were correct based on the intelligence gathered

-              A web page was  to be set up on the Council site containing the Strategy together with the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and all supporting documents

-              There would be 2 questions on the web page - (1) were these priorities right for Rotherham? (2) did people feel the actions within the Strategy were right to achieve the strategic outcomes?  Responses would be made directly through the website

-              An event, hosted by Voluntary Action Rotherham, on 24^th July to present the Strategy to the voluntary and community sector and ask them how they could contribute to delivering the Strategy

-              All those involved in the 2 workshops/involved in the health inequality consultation would received feedback

-              A press release to be issued

Agreed:-  (1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That Board members be notified when the website went live.

The Board received, for information, a position statement on the Heart Town activity together with other work planned.

• Briefing paper;
• Appendix 1: draft strategy;
• Appendix 2: consultation flyer. 

The Board noted a briefing note on the consultation process that was underway on the Housing Strategy.

It was intended to publish by November, 2012, a 30 year Housing Strategy with part 1 focusing on the next 3 years i.e. 2012-15.  The draft Strategy and an accompanying on-line questionnaire was available at www.rotherham.gov.uk/housingstrategy.

The Chairman had commented that it needed to reflect the Health and Wellbeing Strategy and consider the contributions housing made to the health outcomes.

Agreed:-  (1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That each organisation respond to the consultation independently.

It was noted that the Local Strategic Partnership was to hold a summit on 26^th September, 2012.

• Report;
• Work plan.  

Kate Green, Policy Officer, presented an overview and update on progress for the year one priority actions as set out in the Board’s work plan for 2011/12.

Key activity in year one included:-

-        Completed refresh and sign-off of the Rotherham Joint Strategic Needs Assessment

-        Rotherham Health Inequalities Summit

-        Development of a Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy

It was proposed that a structured questionnaire be prepared for Board members the results of which would form the basis of a reflective session at the September meeting.

Agreed:-  (1)  That the progress made on the year one work plan be noted.

(2)  That a structured questionnaire on the effectiveness of the Board during its first year of operation be circulated and returned by 8^th August, 2012.

(3)  That an analysis of the feedback from the questionnaire be submitted to the September Board meeting.

Karl Battersby, Strategic Director of Environment and Development Services, presented a report on the work completed so far in conjunction with Health in developing Planning Policy to ensure the best outcomes for health and future determination of planning applications.  The report included:-

National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)

-        Required Planning to promote healthy communities by the provision of safe and accessible developments

-        Work with Public Health leads to take account of health status and needs of the population

-        New developments should include shared space and community facilities, opportunities for sport and recreation

Rotherham’s Local Plan Core Strategy

-        Supported the provision of local health facilities

-        Supporting strategies for improvements to air quality and promoting a healthier lifestyle through walking/cycling and the provision of open spaces and recreation facilities

-        Planners required to assess the amount and type of infrastructure required to support areas of growth identified within the Core Strategy

-        Health colleagues fully involved in drawing up the Borough’s Infrastructure Delivery Plan

-        Health to be fully involved in the development of a charging scheme for developers which would replace the majority of Section 106 obligations

Public Health Agenda

-        Stronger partnership working expected by the Government from April, 2013

-        Spatial planning expected to make significant contributions to improving health and reducing inequality

Determination of Planning Applications

-        Usefulness of establishing criteria for consultation and a point of contact for planning applications for larger residential developments or development which may have an impact on NHS services

-        Harmful effects to human health could be considered as a material planning consideration

-        Opportunity to develop Health Impact Assessment Guidance for developers – not a statutory requirement when considering a planning application but could be built into the requirements in a planning performance agreement

Agreed:-  (1)  That engagement take place with the Head of Health Improvement, Public Health, when developing policies for sites and policies

(2)  That liaison take place with the NHS to establish contact  and criteria for notification/consultation on planning applications to ensure their views were taken into consideration on appropriate applications

(3)  That liaison take place with the NHS with regard to drawing up charging schedule for infrastructure delivery.

The Board noted a flyer from the RNIB entitled “Eye health and sight loss: local planning for the future”.

• HWBB Consultation report;
• Survey to service users;
• Survey to networks in the voluntary and community sector;
• Revision to the HW Consultation plan. 

Further to Minute No. S5 from the previous meeting, Claire Burton, Commissioning Officer, submitted the proposed consultation survey for the development of Healthwatch Rotherham and a survey to local community forums, networks and partnerships and voluntary and community sector organisations.

It was proposed that the 2 surveys be sent to members of the public and health and social care service users initially via an online survey on the Council website with a link from the Health and Wellbeing Board webpage.  It would also be sent to a representative sample of health and social care service users.  Voluntary and community sector networks and community interest groups would receive it via e-mail.

The surveys included a draft ‘vision’ for Healthwatch Rotherham.  It was proposed that the vision be consulted on before final agreement to ensure it was representative of Rotherham people’s aspirations for their local Healthwatch.

Agreed:-  (1)  That the vision for Healthwatch Rotherham be agreed for further consultation.

(2)  That the submitted consultation plan and surveys be agreed.

(3)  That a further report on the findings of the consultation be submitted to a future meeting.

Dr. Polkinghorn reported that the General Medical Council had produced guidance entitled “Protecting Children and Young People”.  The document was available on the GMC website (www.gmc-uk.org).

- Wednesday, 5^th September, 2012

Agreed:-  That a further meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board be held on 5^th September, 2012, commencing at 1.00 p.m. in the Rotherham Town Hall.