Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - Guildhall, Bath. View directions

Contact: Jack Latkovic  01225 394452

Items
No. Item

37.

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

 

38.

EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURE

The Chair will draw attention to the emergency evacuation procedure as set out under Note 6.

 

Minutes:

The Chairman drew attention to the emergency evacuation procedure.

 

39.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND SUBSTITUTIONS

Minutes:

Councillors Kate Simmons and Douglas Nicol sent their apologies. Councillors Michael Evans and Caroline Roberts were their substitute respectively.

 

Councillor Bryan Organ also sent his apology for this meeting.

40.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST UNDER THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972

Members who have an interest to declare are asked to:

 

  a)  State the Item Number in which they have the interest

  b)  The nature of the interest

  c)  Whether the interest is personal, or personal and prejudicial

 

Any Member who is unsure about the above should seek advice from the Monitoring Officer prior to the meeting in order to expedite matters at the meeting itself. 

 

Minutes:

Councillor Eleanor Jackson declared personal and non-prejudicial interest at this point of the meeting as she is Council’s representative on Sirona Care & Health Community Interest Company.

 

During the meeting, under agenda item 6 (Items from the public or Councillors), Councillor Eleanor Jackson declared interest as a member of the ‘38 Degrees Bath’ group.

 

Councillor Vic Pritchard declared personal and non-prejudicial interest at this point of the meeting as he is Council’s representative on Sirona Care & Health Community Interest Company.

.

41.

TO ANNOUNCE ANY URGENT BUSINESS AGREED BY THE CHAIRMAN

Minutes:

There was none.

42.

ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC OR COUNCILLORS - TO RECEIVE DEPUTATIONS, STATEMENTS, PETITIONS OR QUESTIONS RELATING TO THE BUSINESS OF THIS MEETING

Mr Greg Hartley-Brewer will address the Panel with his statement on NHS Dentistry..

 

Minutes:

The Chairman invited Barbara Gordon (from ’38 Degrees Bath' group) to read out her statement on the changes to the NHS.

 

Barbara Gordon read out the statement in which she highlighted group's concerns on lack of consultation related to the formation of the B&NES Clinical Commissioning Group.  Barbara Gordon also said that the draft CCG Constitution became available only a week ago.  The national '38 Degrees' group commissioned lawyers to draft clauses that can legally be included in the Constitutions of CCG's.  Some local group members, along with a barrister, met with Dr Orpen to consider amending the draft Constitution.  Dr Orpen refused to include those amendments.  There is now online petition to the B&NES CCG, with more than 600 signatures, asking for those clauses to be included in the Constitution.

 

Barbara Gordon asked the Panel to recommend to Dr Orpen to reconsider his decision and include those amendments.

 

A full copy of the statement is available on the Minute Book in Democratic Services.

 

The Chairman thanked Barbara Gordon.  The Chairman said that there is no statutory requirement for the CCG to consult with the public.  Nevertheless, the CCG consulted the public on few events that they organised across the area.  The Health and Wellbeing Board agreed the Plan at their meeting on 19th September 2012.  Without the appropriate evidence, for the closure of this plan, it has become evident that representations of this kind are seemingly too late.  The Chairman said that there is little that the panel can do at this stage.

 

Councillor Eleanor Jackson asked if Dr Orpen could give reasons for rejecting these clauses.  Councillor Jackson declared interest at this point as a member of ‘38 Degrees Bath' group.

 

Dr Orpen said that he is happy to reply but that he feels that he would not be able to draw a line to this issue given the approach adopted by '38 Degrees'.  The background to this is that '38 Degrees' presented their views to the CCG and there was a lot of discussion with their representative on proposed clauses.  The '38 Degrees' advice was based on 'BMA fairness charter' which was prepared by BMA Law.  Dr Orpen said that he is a member of BMA (British Medical Association) and the BMA have a view on the NHS reforms and they, by the nature of the Union, have a political view on this matter.  The BMA has many concerns, which are shared with the CCG, regarding the Constitution and particularly concerns about procurement.  The CCG took an independent legal advice and advice from the experts in this field who considered current NHS guidance on procurement rules.  Dr Orpen said that he absolutely understands and recognised the value of the contribution that '38 Degrees' are making.  However, the advice that the CCG were given is not to tie too much its Constitution into context that is different from the guidance at this stage.  The CCG is absolutely committed to care for its patients.  Dr Orpen also  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.

43.

MINUTES 27th July 2012 pdf icon PDF 227 KB

To confirm the minutes of the above meeting as a correct record.

 

Minutes:

The Panel confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting as a true record and they were duly signed by the Chairman subject to the following amendments and corrections:

 

  • Page 11, 1st paragraph, third sentence should start with: ‘Dr Orpen’.
  • Page 11, 3rd paragraph , second sentence should read : ‘….RUH Bath is the only district general hospital …’

 

 

The Chair used this opportunity to inform the Panel that he received an assurance from Jane Shayler that gardening services for people with learning difficulties in Radstock, which was initiated by Mendip Care & Repair will continue to exist.

 

The Chair also said that it was with regret that Cabinet Member for Homes and Planning could not be at the meeting today to comment on the Homesearch Policy (as resolved in the minute 31 of the last meeting).

 

The Chair also reflected to the resolution on minute 32 of the minutes from last meeting and informed the Panel that Midsomer Norton, Radstock and District Journal did not publish any subsequent comments on the Care Homes Quarterly Performance Report and asked the Panel to draw this matter to the close.  The Panel agreed with Chair’s suggestion.

44.

CABINET MEMBER UPDATE (15 MINUTES)

The Panel will have an opportunity to ask questions to the Cabinet Member and to receive an update on any current issues.

 

Minutes:

The Chairman invited Councillor Simon Allen (Cabinet Member for Wellbeing) to give an update to the Panel (attached as Appendix 1 to these minutes).

 

The Panel made the following points:

 

Councillor Tony Clarke asked about Adult Social Care Survey for 2012 and if we have benchmark against our neighbouring authorities.

 

Sarah Shatwell (Associate Director for Non-Acute and Social care) replied that we do have a benchmark of information nationally and for south west region which are compared. 

 

Councillor Clarke asked for the information and comparison with the other authorities to be sent via email to the Panel.  Sarah Shatwell took on board this request.

 

Councillor Michael Evans asked if the figures referred in the survey took into account socio-economic issues and background.

 

Sarah Shatwell replied that survey is a national survey and done on national basis but she could not answer if the survey took into account socio-economic issues and background.

 

The Chairman asked about the intentions of the new Rural Social Enterprise service.

 

Councillor Allen replied that the aim of the service is to support people with mental health problems to learn new skills, or develop existing ones, and provide an opportunity for social contact and encourage development.

 

Sarah Shatwell added that it also generates employment opportunities for people with mental health problems.  It is expanding on non-client basis.

 

Councillor Eleanor Jackson asked that the Panel send a letter to the Curo group requesting the Equal Opportunities Assessment for changes in management organisation.

 

The Panel AGREED unanimously with the suggestion from Councillor Jackson.

 

Councillor Allen added his support as the Cabinet Member to this letter.

Appendix 1 pdf icon PDF 32 KB

45.

NHS AND CLINICAL COMMISSIONING GROUP UPDATE (15 MINUTES)

The Panel will receive an update from the NHS and Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) on current issues.

 

Minutes:

The Chairman invited Dr Ian Orpen (Clinical Commissioning Group – CCG) to give an update to the Panel.

 

Dr Ian Orpen updated the Panel with current key issues within BANES CCG (attached as Appendix 2 to these minutes).

 

The Chairman congratulated to Dr Orpen, Dr Douglass, Sarah James and Tracey Cox on their appointments.

 

The Chairman thanked Dr Orpen for an update.

Appendix 2 pdf icon PDF 80 KB

46.

Urgent Care Redesign Project (15 minutes) pdf icon PDF 50 KB

To inform the Panel about the Urgent Care Redesign Project and proposed engagement process.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman invited Dr Ian Orpen and Corinne Edwards to introduce the report.

 

Dr Orpen and Corinne Edwards took the Panel through the report and thanked Jane Pye from LINk for her contribution and involvement in this matter.

 

Dr Orpen finished the introduction by saying that it was incredibly difficult to find the right venues across the area for consultation meetings.

 

The Panel made the following points:

 

Councillor Jackson expressed her concern with choice of locations and timings of consultation meetings as those are not accessible for older people (i.e. 6.30pm too late for people over 70). 

 

Corinne Edwards responded that having one of consultation meetings at 6.30pm is for number of reasons (venue availability being one of them) but the main reason is that the NHS and CCG were criticised in the past if they had meetings during the day by those who work during the day.

 

Councillor Hall asked about statistics on who is using services in Walk-In Centre (actual physical locations of users) and if that information is available.

 

Corinne Edwards responded that information is available.  In terms of the use of the GP led centre - approximately out of 30,000 people who use services per year, 30% of those are outside BANES (people who work here or who are here on holiday).  In particular people from Wiltshire and South Gloucestershire are using GP led health centre.  In terms of the age range the greatest use is from those of age of 20-25.

 

Councillor Hall commented that in terms of visitors and tourists it is not a heavy use and ask if visitors and tourists still can register as temporary patients.

 

Dr Orpen confirmed that people still do register as temporary patients.  Dr Orpen also informed the meeting about the national pilot with dual registration.

 

The Chairman asked if any other services in the Walk-In Centre in Riverside will be affected.

 

Dr Orpen said that only Urgent Care services will be transferred to the RUH.

 

It was RESOLVED to note the report and to receive an Impact Assessment on this service change for November meeting.

47.

BATH AND NORTH EAST SOMERSET LOCAL INVOLVEMENT NETWORK (LINk) UPDATE (15 MINUTES) pdf icon PDF 786 KB

The Panel are asked to consider an update and LINk’s Annual Report for year 2011-12.

Minutes:

The Chairman invited Diana Hall Hall from LINk to introduce the report.

 

The Panel welcomed the report and congratulated the LINk on their work and commitment over the years.  The Panel also praised the annual report included in the papers and highlighted close working relationship between the Panel and LINk.

 

Dr Ian Orpen also congratulated LINk on their work so far and thanked for their contribution towards the NHS transition.

 

It was RESOLVED to note the report and to congratulate the LINk for their work and contribution so far.

48.

Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) - Dementia (20 minutes) pdf icon PDF 110 KB

This report covers a summary of data held in the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment on the subject of dementia. This is following an explicit request from Wellbeing PDS Panel to keep the JSNA as a standing agenda item on a subject-by-subject basis.

Minutes:

The Chairman invited Jon Poole (Research & Intelligence Manager) and Helen Tapson (Public Health Intelligence Analyst) to give a presentation to the Panel.

 

Jon Poole and Helen Tapson highlighted the following points in their presentation:

 

  • Background - what is JSNA and Panel's request from July meeting.
  • The JSNA website
  • Dementia in B&NES
  • Future Projections
  • Community Voice
  • What is being done?
  • Recommendations

 

A full copy of the presentation is available on the Minute Book in Democratic Services.

 

The Panel made the following points:

 

The Chairman commented that the current situation is that in B&NES 867 people are registered as having dementia on GP practice records whilst the actual number of people experiencing dementia is estimated to be nearer 2,400 which is much bigger volume of those who are not registered, which is worrying.  The Chairman also said that the report mentioned that last administration's intentions were to dedicate Community Resources Centres to dementia.  There was no more progress on that.  The point is what we do with statistics, how we respond to them.

 

Councillor Roberts asked what is the distinction between dementia and Alzheimer's Disease (AD).

 

Helen Tapson said that she is not medical expert in that field but in a nutshell, dementia is a symptom, and AD is the cause of the symptom.

 

Sarah Shatwell commented that Council will be looking for the most appropriate and cost effective way to support people with dementia.  In B&NES we are trying to support particularly people with later stage of dementia.  Sarah Shatwell suggested that the Panel could have on one of the future meetings an update on what was done since the dementia Strategy was adopted.

 

It was RESOLVED to:

 

1)  Note the report and presentation

2)  Agree that the format and layout of the briefing is suitable for future updates

3)  Receive an update on Dementia Strategy to one of the future meetings

49.

Winterbourne View Findings Update (10 minutes) pdf icon PDF 43 KB

To provide the Wellbeing PDS Panel with an update following the publication in August 2012 of:

  NHS review of commissioning of care and treatment at Winterbourne View

  South Gloucestershire Safeguarding Adults Board Winterbourne View – A Serious Case Review

  Care Quality Commission – Internal Management review of the regulation of Winterbourne View

  Care Quality Commission – Learning Disability Services Inspection Programme, National Overview.

 

The Wellbeing PDS Panel is asked to:

·  Note the content of the report; and

·  Receive a further update following the publication of the overview report, which is anticipated at the end of October 2012.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman suggested that this issue be discussed at the next meeting of the Panel together with the report from the Care Quality Commission.

 

It was RESOLVED to have this item on the agenda at November meeting.

50.

Care Quality Commission update (20 minutes) pdf icon PDF 41 KB

The Panel are asked to consider an update paper from Karen Taylor (Care Quality Commission).

Minutes:

The Chairman suggested that this issue be discussed at the next meeting of the Panel together with the input/update from the relevant service officer.

 

It was RESOLVED to have this item on the agenda at November meeting.

51.

Personal Budgets: Review of Policy Framework & Resource Allocation (Progress Report) (30 minutes) pdf icon PDF 52 KB

The report summarises work undertaken since March 2012 (and before) to review and revise the Personal Budgets policy framework and Resource Allocation System (RAS) currently used to deliver social care services in Bath & North East Somerset.

This review and revision is necessary in order to:

(1)  Achieve financial sustainability and meet the Council’s efficiency targets for adult social care.

(2)  Achieve the central Government target to deliver PBs to 100% of all adult social care users by April 2013.

(3)  Address a range of equalities issues which have been identified in the current social care system.

A project group has been established to assess the benefits of adopting the National RAS in Bath & North East Somerset.  This is a tool commissioned by the Department of Health, currently in use by the majority of local authorities (122) as the primary mechanism for allocating funding to meet the social care needs of individual service users.

 

The Wellbeing Policy Development & Scrutiny Panel are asked to agree that:

·  Based on the modelling contained in the main report, the percentile model for calibrating the national RAS locally is further explored and tested.

·  Based on the above recommendation, further engagement and consultation with service users, carers and social care staff takes place.

·  Based on the modelling contained in the main report, scenario 4 of the five transitional scenarios is adopted when roll out of the national RAS begins.

·  Implementation of the national RAS should take place in early 2013 following a period of statutory consultation.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman invited Sarah Shatwell to introduce the report.

 

The Panel made the following points:

 

Members of the Panel debated financial modelling of options for calibrating the Resource Allocation System (RAS).  Some Members of the Panel felt the Incremental Method is the fairest of all and that model should be further explored and tested.  Some other Panel Members felt that the Percentile Model, as suggested by the officer is the fairest and that model should be further explored. 

 

The Chairman informed the Panel that Sarah Shatwell will have to give Panel's view on the preferred modelling option to the Cabinet Member.  Therefore the Chairman invited the Panel to vote on the preferred modelling option.

 

The Chairman invited Panel Members to vote on the Percentile Model. Voting: 4 in favour and 3 against with 1 abstention.

 

It was RESOLVED that:

 

1)  The Panel AGREED that Percentile Model for calibrating the national RAS locally be further explored and tested;

2)  Further engagement and consultation with service users, carers and social care staff takes place;

3)  Scenario 4 of the five transitional scenarios be adopted when roll out of the national RAS begins; and

4)  Implementation of the national RAS should take place in early 2013 following a period of statutory consultation.

52.

Specialist Mental Health Services update (20 minutes) pdf icon PDF 109 KB

The Wellbeing Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel is asked to note:

·  Progress in implementing the Care Home and Community Hospital Liaison service (as previously agreed).

·  The implementation of the Adult of Working Age community services redesign in line with local and national strategic intentions.

·  Progress to date on further environmental improvements to Hillview Lodge.

·  Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health NHS Trust (AWP) response to recent CQC and Strategic Health Authority reviews and reports – Fit for the Future.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman invited Andrea Morland (Associate Director for Mental Health and Substance Misuse Commissioning) and Arden Tomison (Medical Director) to introduce the report.

 

The Panel made the following points:

 

Councillor Jackson asked about the use of units in Salisbury by some of the patients from Radstock area.

 

Andrea Morland responded that the AWP is quite lucky to use psychiatric intensive care unit whenever they exist.  Primarily, units in Brislington are used.  When those units are full then units in Salisbury are used.  This is in order to reduce the risk for people to go out of area or to go privately.

Arden Tomison added that the pressure on highest dependency units had increased nationally.

 

The Chairman asked if the demand on highest dependency units increased or this is due the reduction in beds.

 

Arden Tomison said that those two are connected.

 

The Chairman asked on the current position of the AWP.

 

Andrea Morland gave the commissioning background first.  The Strategic Health Authority (SHA) did the review with the AWP and highlighted the concerns about being centralised body and local enough.  As a result of that local director is in place now.  The AWP and CCG will get together to talk about the future arrangements.  At the moment they are still waiting for the consultation on what services they might go out to tender and those they might not.

 

Arden Tomison pointed out to the implementation plan, as printed in the report (section 5).  Arden Tomison confirmed that short term actions are on track and that there was quite positive dialogue with Bristol commissioning partners.

 

The Panel debated the Ketamine abuse in the area and asked Andrea Morland to come back to one of the future meetings of the Panel with a report on the Ketamine abuse in the area.

 

It was RESOLVED to note the report and to have a paper on Ketamine abuse in the area at one of the future meetings of the Panel.

53.

Terms of Reference for Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy Scrutiny Inquiry Day (5 minutes) pdf icon PDF 49 KB

On 18th May 2012, the Wellbeing Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel received a report on Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy. The briefing also outlined powers that are set to be introduced as part of the Government’s Alcohol Strategy that was published in March 2012. The briefing recommended that the Panel consider undertaking a Scrutiny Inquiry Day to help refresh the Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy in light of these new powers.

 

The Wellbeing Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel is asked to:

·  Note the terms of reference and agreed to undertake a Scrutiny Inquiry Day

·  Agree to appoint a Steering group (usually 2-3 Members of the Panel) to plan the Scrutiny Inquiry Day

·  Make any initial suggestions for invitations to the Scrutiny Inquiry Day

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman invited Lauren Rushen (Policy Development and Scrutiny Project Officer) to take the Panel through the report.

 

Councillor Michael Evans suggested that Community Alcohol Partnership (CAP) be invited as a contributor.

 

It was RESOLVED to:

 

1)  Note the terms of reference and agree to undertake a Scrutiny Inquiry Day

2)  Agree to appoint the following Panel Members in the Steering Group:

a.  Councillor Vic Pritchard

b.  Councillor Katie Hall

c.  Councillor Eleanor Jackson

 

54.

Housing Allocations (20 minutes) pdf icon PDF 65 KB

Each Local Housing Authority (the Council) must have an allocation scheme which articulates how priority for social housing is determined.  The Bath & North East Somerset scheme, known as the Homesearch Scheme, is operated on the principles of choice-based lettings which combine the elements of housing need, time on scheme and client choice.  At present, and in accordance with the legislation current at the time of adoption, the scheme allows anyone, with a few statutory exceptions, to join the scheme.  This is known as an “open scheme”.

The Localism Act 2011, supported by new Allocations guidance, provides the Council with greater freedoms in determining local priorities.  In particular the Council can now chose to exclude certain households from the scheme, such as, those households who do not have a local connection to the district or whose income is above a specific level.  This is known as a “closed scheme”.  The Council will need to determine how it wants to use these freedoms.

Following consultation, including both to this Panel on the 16th March and the Housing & Major Projects Panel on the 27th March, the attached draft policy has been produced and has returned to this Panel as requested for further consideration.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman invited Mike Chedzoy (Housing Services Manager) to introduce the report.

 

The Panel made the following points:

 

The Chairman commented that this paper was before the Panel a number of times.  the officers responded to all comments/suggestions/recommendations made by the Panel.  The Chairman also said that he is quite comfortable with the content of the report and asked the Panel if they share his view. 

 

The Chairman also said that the responsible Cabinet Member was not present at this meeting.  The Chairman said that he would not be comfortable to amend anything after this meeting and without the debate/consultation with this Panel.

If the Cabinet Member chooses to amend anything, before it goes to the Cabinet, the Panel would need to know what the amendments are.

 

It was RESOLVED to note the Homesearch Policy and ask the appropriate Cabinet Member and the Cabinet to adopt the policy in this format.

55.

Workplan pdf icon PDF 37 KB

This report presents the latest workplan for the Panel.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was RESOLVED to note the workplan with the following additions:

 

  • Dementia Strategy update (date to be confirmed)
  • Urgent Care Re-Design Impact Assessment - November 2012
  • Winterbourne View update (along with Care Quality Commission - November 2012
  • Ketamine abuse in B&NES area (date to be confirmed)