Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

The Democratic Services Officer read out the emergency evacuation procedure.

Apologies for absence were received from:

Jayne Davis – Bath College

Sara Gallagher – Bath Spa University

Andrew Girdher - CCG

Will Godfrey – B&NES Council

Nicola Hazle - AWP

Amritpal Kaur - Healthwatch

Steve Kendall – Police Service – substitute Inspector Ruth Gawler

Anthony Payne – University of Bath

Nikki Rice – Avon Fire and Rescue Service

At this point in the meeting declarations of interest are received from Members in any of the agenda items under consideration at the meeting.

(a) The agenda item number in which they have an interest to declare.

(b) The nature of their interest.

(c) Whether their interest is a disclosable pecuniary interest or an other interest,  (as defined in Part 2, A and B of the Code of Conduct and Rules for Registration of Interests)

Any Member who needs to clarify any matters relating to the declaration of interests is recommended to seek advice from the Council’s Monitoring Officer or a member of his staff before the meeting to expedite dealing with the item during the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no public questions or statements.

To confirm the minutes of the meetings held on 30 March 2021 and 22 June 2021 as a correct record.

The minutes of the meetings held on 30 March and 22 June 2021 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Board is asked to consider the attached report which provides an update on the Better Care Fund Plan for 2021-22 and to ratify a number of Locality Commissioning Group (LCG) agreements.

Gary Guest and Judith Westcott – 30 minutes

The Board considered a report which gave an update on the Better Care Fund Plan for 2021-22 and requested members to ratify a number of Locality Commissioning Group (LCG) agreements.

Judith Westcott, Senior Commissioning Manager, presented the report and highlighted the following points:

·  The Better Care Fund in B&NES totals £71m.

·  A high proportion of the funding is spent on the Virgin Care contract.

·  There are additional sub-sections of the fund which have different criteria.

·  The fund is under continual discussion and has been reviewed by the Local Commissioning Group (LCG) prior to submission to this meeting.

·  The fund is designed to be a transitional and transformational budget and there have been no major changes or developments to it over the last two years.

·  There have been some underspends this year largely due to a slowdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.  There is an underspend on the fund of around £1.5m.

·  Some of the underspend will be used to help with emerging pressures including home care.

·  There is still £600k of funding available if needed.

·  The following funding applications have been provisionally approved by the LCG:

o  Participation and Engagement - £62k

o  Direct Payment and Personal Health Budget Development Officer - £40k

o  Wellbeing Representatives (Third Sector Reablement Representatives) - £216k

o  Occupational Therapy Support to Disable Facilities Grant Backlog - £60k

·  The following key measures are proposed to support flow and to ensure that people can leave acute settings and be supported in the community:

o  Recruitment – costs to be confirmed

o  Care Hours - £160k

o  Live in Care - £175k

o  Weslin Care Home Beds with RUH - £484k

o  Third Sector Support – No additional cost

o  Complex Discharge and Health Assessment Support - £29k

(A copy of the presentation slides is attached as an appendix to these minutes).

Judith Westcott then responded to questions as follows:

·  Key areas of development have been identified.

·  There are opportunities to draw different strands together and there is scope to improve links with primary care.

·  Virgin Care is carrying out a lot of work to assist people in their own homes and to ensure that the right support is provided.  PCN roles are a key part of this.

The following issues were discussed:

·  Although organisations are working hard for “quick wins” it is vital to have a long-term workforce strategy as the system is under great pressure.

·  Social prescribing is an area that could be considered, and Board members encouraged there to be good monitoring and partnership working to support the wellbeing representative scheme.

·  A focus on Occupational Therapy (OT) is desperately needed as there are currently long waits for OT visits.  There are currently many OT vacancies, and it will be necessary to be creative about these roles.  Seven day a week working may help.

·  There could be opportunities to discuss with the local universities what skills will be required in the future with a view to creating local training programmes.  Innovative solutions are required.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

The Board is asked to consider how, going forward, the Health and Wellbeing Board agencies/members can support the delivery of the CYPP priorities as identified within the current plan and to respond to the recommendations set out in the report.

Sarah McCluskey and Mary Kearney-Knowles – 30 minutes

The Board considered a report which set out the progress made against priorities.  There has been positive delivery against all priority areas.

Sarah McCluskey, Strategic Commissioning Officer, presented the report.  The four key outcomes are that:

·  Children and young people are safe

·  Children and young people are healthy

·  Children and young people have fair life chances

·  Children and young people are engaged citizens in their own community

Work is taking place with third sector services to ensure that good systems are in place.  Officers are also working to address planned intervention programmes which can help children at risk of exclusion from school.  This will provide support to child protection plans, a virtual school, the inclusion team and trauma support.

It was noted that there has been significant pressure on schools and families over the last year due to the covid-19 pandemic which is having an impact.  One of the key priority areas is SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability).

The following issues were then discussed:

·  The Board welcomed the progress made.  Services have seen an increase in young people seeking support.  Concern was expressed at the gap in early mental health support provision.

·  The mental health transformation plan is now in place and additional support programmes will be provided in schools.  It is important to continue to focus on this issue.

·  It was noted that a large number of Curo tenants have mental health problems and this continues to be a challenge.

·  The third sector is also witnessing increasing cases of self-harm and suicide ideation.

·  It was suggested that public sector organisations could provide opportunities for vulnerable children and young people to gain employment which could lead to long-term change.  Apprenticeships are available and there are plans to recruit a third Young Ambassador.

·  The Board thanked officers for all the work they have undertaken to help young people over the last year despite the challenging circumstances.

·   A key priority for the Board is the improvement of mental health across the whole age spectrum.  The CCG has a programme board which is considering this issue as it is creating a pressure point.  It is important to consider how best to provide early intervention and there should be a B&NES-wide discussion on this topic.

RESOLVED:

(1)  To note the Children and Young People Plan (CYPP) refresh for 2021-2022 and agree the CYP Sub-Group recommendation that the current plan is further extended until March 2023.

(2)  To note and approve the Children and Young People Plan Year 3 Review progress report on the priorities identified in the plan for 2018-2021.

(3)  To agree to include the CYP sub-committee in the development of the next Health and wellbeing Board Strategy (which will help to inform the next CYPP).

(4)  To approve the amended terms of reference for the CYP sub-committee.

(5)  To note the pressures across the system of meeting the emotional health and wellbeing needs of children and young people currently, especially given the impact of Covid. These pressures are felt  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 30 November 2021 at 10.30am.

It was noted that the next meeting will take place on 30 November 2021.