To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 1 December 2015.

The Minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee, held on the 1 December 2015, were approved as a correct record.

Councillor Halden asked the Officers for an update on Domiciliary Care. Roger Harris confirmed that the service was still quite fragile at the moment with one Domiciliary Care provider given notice before Christmas which has now been taken back in house and another provider having given six months’ notice. The existing contract only has 14 months left to run, until March 2017. The report will be returned to HOSC in the new municipal year.

Councillor Gupta asked the Chair if he had written to NHS England regarding the Learning Disability Health Checks. The Chair confirmed that he had written and that a response had been received. Copies of this letter will be issued to all Members and Officers for information.

To receive additional items that the Chair is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency, in accordance with Section 100B (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There were no items of urgent business.

Councillor Gupta declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of Agenda 8 ‘Consultation on the proposed changes to the way Social Care is provided in Thurrock’ as he was a carer.

Councillor Halden declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of Agenda 7 ‘Changes to Fees and Charges 2016-17’ and Agenda 8 ‘Consultation on the proposed changes to the way Social Care is provided in Thurrock’ as he had a member of his immediate family in St Anne’s Court who is in receipt of Thurrock’s support.

This item is reserved to discuss any issues raised by the HealthWatch co-opted member or designated representative.

Items raised by HealthWatch will be covered in Item Number 8.

For the record Roger Harris thanked HealthWatch and Thurrock Coalition for their contributions to the consultation.

The Officer presented the report that provided Members with details of the actions to reduce costs and to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of adult social care services in Thurrock.

Andrea Valentine, HealthWatch, referred Members to the two reports that were tabled for information and explained how the impact of these proposals would have on some of our most vulnerable residents.

Ian Evans, Thurrock Coalition, referred Members to the Thurrock Coalition submission in relation to the impact of the proposed changes in Appendix 2 of the report and asked that it be used for the evidence and impact assessment. Ian would be happy to take questions from Members if required.

It was respectfully requested that those comments made by HealthWatch and Thurrock Coalition members be heard when final decisions around implementing cuts were being made.

Councillor Gupta asked Officers how many people were involved in the consultation. Roger Harris confirmed that all those directly affected were written to and consultation events were held at the majority of the sites affected. It was also stated that the 528 responses received was considered to be quite a good return rate.

The Officer continued to summarise the proposals of the consultation.

Day Care

The Officer confirmed that a careful and clear consultation had taken place on the best use of the proposed sites. The option to change the day care offer from provision on six sites to three sites was recommended. The service at each site will be expanded at Kynoch Court and Bell House from 15 to 20 places and at the carer’s centre to 25 places. This would result in the provision of 65 places at these centres per day.

Councillor Halden stated that it made logistical sense and asked Officers do we envisage that 20 place will actually reach capacity in the next couple of years. Roger Harris confirmed that there is often a waiting list and will need to look how to deploy the services best. Care will need to be taken to manage the days and availability which is normally based on residents own circumstances and choice.

Councillor Halden asked if logistics were being reduced slightly do we have capacity in the transport used to enable residents to go get to sites. Roger Harris confirmed that we use our own transport but it is encouraged that family or friends bring residents to and from the sites. It is the aim that journeys are no longer than 45 minutes.

The Chair asked for clarification that reducing sites to three that the service will not be at full capacity straight away. Roger Harris confirmed that this is a high demand service with flexible services being offered. Managers were always looking at numbers and availability.

Ian Evans asked if there would be any staffing implications if the sites were reduced to three. Roger Harris confirmed that staff would be deployed better, able to attend training  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

Roger Harris briefly presented the report and explained that similar Fees and Charges Reports were being presented to all overview and scrutiny committees and referred Members to the Appendix 1, the Fees and Charges Booklet. The Appendix identified the proposed changes to charges.

It was further explained that the items under consultation were discussed at the HOSC tonight and the remaining other items were at their maximum therefore no increase could be made.

RESOLVED

That the Committee considered the proposed charges as detailed in the Appendix.

The Officer presented the report which outlined the rationale for the refresh of Thurrock’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy, the case of change, the proposed areas of focus and the draft priorities for the refreshed Strategy. Members were referred to the draft priority areas which were:

•           Prevention and early intervention

•           Build strong and sustainable communities

•           Improve mental health and wellbeing

•           Transform health and social care

•           Ensure that all agencies work together to deliver services that collectively improve the lives of all children and young people.

The Officer confirmed that this report was in the consultation period and asked Members for their comments and views as part of this consultation. The first stage of the strategy development engagement activity will conclude on the 22 January 2016 and will form part of the report for the February HOSC.

Councillor Key stated that the Strategy was broader than it had been in the past and commented that as Dementia appeared to be an item of discussion at tonight’s committee, could this be integrated into the Strategy. Councillor B Rice confirmed that this could be incorporated into the Strategy.

Councillor Liddiard supported the recommendations and asked Officers how they propose to monitor the Strategy’s success or not. The Officer confirmed that this will be undertaken through the development of a Strategy Outcomes Framework that would be monitored by the Health and Wellbeing Board..

Councillor B Rice also commented that the voluntary and community sector will also play a vital part in this.

Councillor Halden noted his concern on what the value of a three year strategy could have and the possibility of moving away from this and extending the strategy period.  The Officer replied that whilst the Strategy’s life span was three years, the vision and direction of travel represented a longer-term view.

The Thurrock Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2016-19 report is an item on the Work Programme on the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee in February 2016  and be recommended to Cabinet and Council in March 2016.

RESOLVED

1.         That the Committee commented on the refreshed strategy proposed priorities and areas of focus as part of the engagement process.

2.         That the Committee agree to the final report of the strategy being brought to a future meeting prior to sign off by Council in March 2016.

3.         That the Committee note the progress made on the development of the refreshed strategy.

The Chair and Members agreed the work programme as a correct record.

RESOLVED

That the work programme be noted.