Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

The Chair will draw attention to the emergency evacuation procedure as set out under Note 5.

The Chair drew attention to the emergency evacuation procedure.

Councillor Bharat Pankhania, Councillor Onkar Saini and Councillor Joanna Wright had all sent their apologies to the Panel.

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

(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 4.4 Appendix 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 Officeror a member of his staff before the meeting to expedite dealing with the item during the meeting.

Wendy Lucas made a statement to the Panel under agenda item 9 (Respite Services Update).

Councillor Eleanor Jackson made a statement to the Panel under agenda item 10 (Carers Strategy Update).

Paula Riseborough (Protect Our NHS BANES) had submitted a question to the Panel. A copy of this and its response are attached as an online appendix to these minutes.

The Cabinet Member(s) will update the Panel on any relevant issues. Panel members may ask questions on the update provided.

Councillor Alison Born, Cabinet Member for Adult Services addressed the Panel and highlighted the following points from her update.

Waiting times

In January 2025 there were 122 people awaiting allocation for a Care Act Assessment. The median wait for allocation was 53 days. As of 1st June 2025, there are 112 people awaiting allocation with a median wait of 34 days. Demand for adult social care continues to rise with the service completing 20% more assessments in the first quarter of 2025 than in the previous quarter.

Ageing Well B&NES Programme

The Ageing Well B&NES Programme, which follows the World Health Organisation’s Age Friendly Framework is an initiative, led by age UK, that is supporting B&NES to become an age friendly community. The programme is overseen by a local steering group, of which I am a member and current priorities include travel, health, ageism, raising older people's voice, digital inclusion, and access to public toilets. Specific initiatives include an age friendly transport project (looking at accessibility) and an age friendly volunteering and employers’ project.

The programme has also set up an Older People's Voice Forum to enable older people to share experiences, concerns, and ideas for ageing well policies and initiatives.

The work of the programme is further supported by the Ageing Well Network facilitated by 3SG. The network provides a platform for its members to share knowledge, engagement, drive programme delivery and promote better working together.

Annual Director of Public Health Report

Last year’s B&NES DPH report on Food Security has been chosen as one of the top 5 (out of 67) public health reports in England which is a huge achievement for our public health team, the comms team, other council colleagues and many providers in the Fair Food Alliance, particularly as we are a relatively small authority.

Assurance

The South West DHSC Office for Health Improvement and Disparities is piloting a new approach to providing assurance back to Government ministers of the Public Health Ring-fenced Grant in local authorities. The approach is based on a structured submission of information prior to two in-person meetings. The first meeting is with each local authority involving as a core group the Regional DPH, DPH, Chief Executive, S151 Officer and lead Cabinet Member. The second meeting is with the ICB, involving as a core group the Regional DPH, DsPH, ICB Chief Executive, ICB Finance Officer, Chief Medical Officer and ICB prevention lead. The visits are designed to understand more about the overarching spend of the Public Health Ring-fenced Grant, be supportive in nature, and capture good practice. For B&NES the first of the two meetings took place on 9th June and positive feedback has been received. The date for the second is being confirmed.

Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment

Legislation requires that every three years every Health and Wellbeing Board assesses the need for pharmaceutical services in its area and publishes a statement of its assessment. The Public Health Team leads this work on behalf of the HWB.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

The Panel will receive an update from the B&NES, Swindon & Wiltshire Integrated Care Board (BSW ICB) on current issues.

Laura Ambler, Director of Place for Bath and North East Somerset, BSW ICB addressed the Panel and highlighted the following areas from within the update.

Future of Integrated Care Boards

Recent guidance from NHS England indicates that, to fulfil future functions effectively and sustainably, ICBs need to work across larger footprints, serve larger populations and take into account any new strategic local authority boundaries which emerge from the local government reform process, which is also under way.

As a result, BSW, Somerset and Dorset ICBs are exploring plans to cluster together. This proposal is still at an early stage and no decisions have been made.

Integrated Community-based Care

The BSW Community Delivery Group, which is a system-wide group made up of partners from local authorities, the third sector, acute and mental health trusts and primary care, will oversee the transformation happening within community-based care.

This group will seek to ensure that any changes or improvements being implemented in the community reflects the views and priorities outlined in the system’s overarching integrated care strategy.

HCRG’s methodology for transformation is based on a person-centred design approach, and follows a four-phase process of discover, define, design and deliver. This approach ensures that the service user is kept at the centre of all decisions along the journey, and co-design and co-delivery is built into the process.

HCRG Care Group intends to provide committee members with a more thorough, in-person update at the meeting in July.

Local uptake of Covid-19 booster vaccine

People living across all parts of Bath and North East Somerset who are eligible for the Covid-19 booster vaccination, which was first offered at the beginning of April, continue to come forward.

By targeting specific groups of the local population, the booster vaccine is not intended to generate herd immunity, but to ensure those most susceptible are adequately protected.

Since April 2025, approximately 60 per cent of eligible people in Bath and North East Somerset have had the booster vaccine, which is better than both the respective regional and national averages of 58 and 48 per cent.

Strong local appetite for routine MMR vaccinations in under-fives

Latest figures show that more than 96 per cent of under-fives in the local area have had at least one MMR vaccine. Nationally, the figure stands at just over 92 per cent, while the South West average is slightly better at 94.8 per cent.

It is recommended for young children to have two MMR vaccines, with the first being given as they turn one and the second coming just after their third birthday.

The vaccines can also be given to older children, as well as any adults, who may have missed out on getting protected as a baby. Late vaccinations can be arranged through a person’s GP practice.

Publication of new 10-Year Plan delayed

The long-awaited 10-Year Plan for the NHS has been delayed, after initially being scheduled for publication in May 2025. It is now expected that the plan, which was produced following an extensive months-long  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

This report updates on progress made since April, including the findings of the needs analysis, options appraisal and next steps.

Wendy Lucas addressed the Panel, she informed them that this was her fourth statement to them regarding the future of Newton House. She said that the formation of the Working Group has been helpful as families and officers have been able to share and learn from each other.

She stated though that she was concerned whether communications between departments were as good as they could be as despite the information contained within the report, she was aware of at least one family that were told that Newton House was closed for referrals, and they would have to access a service in Gloucestershire.

She said that the parents involved are realists, understand the budgets involved and are aware that compromises need to be made. She added though that the users of Newton House were entitled to have their statutory needs met.

She urged the Panel to keep this issue firmly on their agenda and to ensure that all departments involved are made aware of any changes relating to the status of Newton House as soon as possible.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked if she knew why families were being turned away when within the report it is stated that Newton House is under occupied by 40%.

Wendy Lucas replied that the email she had seen was from a family who were desperate for respite care and were told that they could have a place, but that this would be around a two hour drive away from their home. She said that she felt this was unacceptable when places are available.

Councillor Hardman asked if she could confirm that families are supportive of Option 1 (Dimensions continue to run a respite service at Newton House post January 2026) as set out in the report.

Wendy Lucas replied that this was correct and said that they want the provision to remain in place for as long as possible. She said that they acknowledge that the Council cannot run a service of this type and therefore it must be done by a commercial provider.

She added that time must be built into the process for service users to transition should a new provider be required.

She said that trust between the families and the Council has been rebuilt to some degree since the beginning of the year, but that assurance was still needed over a continuance of service.

Councillor David Harding asked if she felt that the figures for demand to use Newton House were accurate.

Wendy Lucas replied that the figures being used were connected to those service users that had received a statutory reassessment, but she believed that some were still due to be carried out. She added that the packages of care involved are huge but said that full capacity respite would be even more expensive.

Councillor Lesley Mansell asked if families were being given a real choice.

Wendy Lucas replied that she felt that they were not and some were being told to take what is being offered or their case  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

This report outlines progress towards the Carers Strategy Activity Plan, which has developed since the last update to Scrutiny.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson addressed the Panel, a copy of the statement will be attached as an online appendix to these minutes and a summary is set out below.

‘Thinking about the report which the Panel is asked to consider today, I was struck by the fact that we could not possibly know what it was like to care for someone 24/7 unless we had direct experience of it. The sheer mind-numbing fatigue I have observed in friends and neighbours is compounded by worry about finance and the future care which may or may not be provided for their partner or child when they are gone.

“It all adds to the stress”, one Swallows mother told me last week, “when you just want to make sure the child you love is as happy and safe and secure as they can be.”

Having a Carers strategy is a thoroughly good idea, not least because it will, I hope, set out clearly what BANES residents can expect from the Council, above and beyond what is set out in national law. I hope it works better than the ‘parish charter‘, at least as Westfield parish council see it. There must be a way to reduce the ‘bureaucracy; as the Swallows mums see it and bring together all aspects of caring for a disabled person.

If the dementia charities can do it, and Macmillan have a range of useful leaflets, not to mention the RNIB who have given me so much support, surely the Council can manage it, while also making residents with caring responsibilities feel valued, and not a nuisance or an unnecessary burden on the council tax payer.

It frustrates me when, as happened at my surgery on Saturday, a resident presents a terrible problem, and I have to give four (or more) different agencies who can help with some aspect of the problem. These papers illustrate the problem. First, there is the difficulty of getting a statement of educational and health needs, and the whole controversy over SEND.

Then we see that the school exclusions disproportionately affect children with special educational needs. In the Youth Justice report, the same inequality appears. Yet the government funding over the last decade has not been made available to address this.

It is assumed that everyone can find out all they need to know on the BANES website. 20% of my residents do not have internet access.

The Swallows mums told me to tell you that they want to be consulted, to have the annual reviews done promptly without months of delay and chasing, and not to have their gratitude taken for granted.’

The Commissioning Project & Programme Manager highlighted that it was clear that access to information and advice is crucial for our carers and potential carers. He added that the route to an assessment also needs to be made clear.

Councillor Liz Hardman said that she welcomed the forthcoming Strategy Activity Plan and asked if it would include a section on Young Carers.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

A presentation is within the agenda pack for the Panel regarding this subject .

The Active Travel Social Prescribing Project Manager addressed the Panel and highlighted the following points from the presentation within the agenda pack.

The Active Way is…

•Promoting social prescribing into a range of active travel activities

•Offering a broad cycling, walking and wheeling offer with interventions for all age groups and needs

•Building people’s confidence, motivation, knowledge and skills to engage with walking and cycling activities long-term.

•Evaluating any positive outcomes we find in relation to improved health and wellbeing, any correlation to reduced GP and Hospital visits from participants and any increases in the use of local infrastructure (cycle paths, use of parks and walking routes).

He explained that social prescribing was a very busy area of work that engages with both the local community and the 3^rd sector. He said that the team has worked hard to achieve the levels of trust now in place.

Who the Active Way is for

There is something for everyone, we want to be as inclusive as possible and are unlikely to turn anyone away, but we are targeting based on need and inequality;

•People living in deprived areas with low levels of physical activity

•People with long term conditions

•Underrepresented groups

•People with Multiple morbidity

•People with disabilities

•People suffering from anxiety and lack of confidence

•People not in education, training or (well paid) employment

•Ethnic minority groups (Global Majority)

We are offering activities to communities across the Somer Valley and Bath & North East Somerset based on need.

He said that the benefits of the Active Way are being realised by its users and that the University of West of England were monitoring and providing analysis on it.

Outcomes (qualitative and quantitative)

·  Improved health and wellbeing

·  Social Connections and improved life outcomes (employability, confidence and skills)

·  Increases in physical activity levels

·  Provided skills and resources to local charities and organisations to sustain active travel

·  Greater awareness of local area, cycling and walking routes

·  Investment in local economy

·  Widescale engagement with stakeholders

·  Successful targeted approach to those with the most need

He said that some gaps in provision have been recognised and that they were now seeking to pre-empt what next steps should be put in place. He added that nature-based walks have been suggested as an example.

Councillor Michael Auton said that he commended the work undertaken so far and that he recognised the positive impact it has had on the mental and physical health of those involved.

Councillor Liz Hardman thanked the team involved for their work and said she could see why the pilot has been so successful. She asked if the funding from Active Travel England was due continue.

The Active Travel Social Prescribing Project Manager replied that no further indication has yet been given regarding further funding. He added that they are considering making an approach to WECA (West of England Combined Authority) to see if they are in a position to provide any funding.

Councillor Lesley Mansell said that she felt that this was an  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

Kevin Burnett referred to page 58 of the agenda pack and the matter of families that qualify for auto enrolment into Free School Meals. He said that he was seeking a response on what would happen if a family were informed that they have been enrolled, but this turns out to be a mistake and they do not qualify, what would happen in this situation.

Kevin Burnett referred to page 65 of the agenda and the matter of Trauma Informed Practice. He said that he had asked if this was a way of working that could be used across services within Education and Social Care.

He added that the word ‘seen’ was missing from the comment made by Councillor Paul May on the same page.

The Panel, with these amendments in mind, RESOLVED to confirm the minutes of the previous meeting as a true record and they were duly signed by the Chair.

This report presents the latest workplan for the Panel. Any suggestions for further items or amendments to the current programme will be logged and scheduled in consultation with the Panel’s Chair and supporting officers.

The Chair introduced the item and asked for suggestions for future reports to the Panel. She also asked for report authors to make every effort to include an Equalities Impact Assessment with every report submitted to the Panel.

She highlighted the following items for consideration at their July meeting.

·  Child Sexual Exploitation / Modern Slavery

·  Youth Guarantee Trailblazer

·  Children and Young People Health & Wellbeing Survey

·  HCRG – Update on Integrated Community-Based Care

Chris Batten suggested the Panel receive updates on School Exclusion and Attendance and the Free School Meals auto-enrolment project.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked for an update on the Safety Valve programme.

The Chair suggested that this be covered by the Cabinet Member in his update to the Panel.

The Panel RESOLVED to note their current workplan and these proposals for future reports.