Agenda and minutes

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 25* of the Access to Information Procedure Rules (in the event of an Appeal the press and public will be excluded).

(* In accordance with Procedure Rule 25, notice of an appeal must be received in writing by the Head of Governance Services at least 24 hours before the meeting).

The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed everyone in attendance.

1  To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report.

2  To consider whether or not to accept the officers recommendation in respect of the above information.

3  If so, to formally pass the following resolution:-

  RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as containing exempt information on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information, as follows:

  No exempt items have been identified on this agenda.

The Principal Scrutiny Adviser made reference to the Council’s protocol relating to third party recording of Committees, Boards and Panels, including both video and audio recording.  Copies of the protocol were available at the meeting.

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes.)

In accordance with his powers under Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chair agreed to accept the following late and supplementary information for consideration at the meeting:

·  NHS Specialised Services and consultation on proposed changes to specific service specifications

o  Proposed changes to 14 specialised service areas

o  Submission by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

(Minute 117 refers)

·  The UK Strategy for Rare Diseases and NHS England’s associated Statement of Intent

(Minute 116 refers)

·  Report on Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Yorkshire and Humber)

(Minute 118 refers)

The above documents were not available at the time of the agenda despatch, but had been made available to the public at the meeting. Copies of the papers would also be available on the Council’s website.

It was noted there was no supplementary paper associated with the Work Schedule (Minute 119 refers), as suggested in the cover report.

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were no disclosable pecuniary interests declared to the meeting. 

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

The following apologies for absence had been received and were reported to the Scrutiny Board. 

·  Councillor C Towler – Councillor J Jarosz attending as a substitute member

·  Councillor J Lewis – Councillor M Harland attending as a substitute member

·  Councillor C Fox – no substitute member attending

It was noted that, due to a private appointment, apologies had also been received from Councillor Adam Ogilvie (Executive Board Member (Adult Social Care)), who had been invited to attend the Board in relation to the discussion around proposals to establish a social enterprise to deliver the Council’s Learning Disability Community Support Service (Minute 115 refers).

It was reported that in relation to the discussion around the UK Strategy for Rare Diseases and NHS England’s associated Statement of Intent (Minute 116 refers) and NHS Specialised Services and consultation on proposed changes to specific service specifications (Minute 117 refers), the Chair from each of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees across West Yorkshire had been invited to attend the meeting, as follows:

·  Councillor McAllister (Calderdale Council) – apologies received

·  Councillor Gibbons (City of Bradford Council) – apologies received

·  Councillor Rhodes (Wakefield Council) – apologies received

·  Councillor Kendrick (Kirklees Council) – apologies received

It was noted that a member of the Scrutiny Board, Councillor C Fox, was currently unwell.  Through the Chair, all members of the Scrutiny Board extended their sympathy and wished Councillor Fox a speedy recovery.

To consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development introducing proposals to create a Social Enterprise to deliver the Council’s Learning Disability Community Support Service and provide an opportunity for the Scrutiny Board to consider a consultation response.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report that introduced a report submitted to the Executive Board meeting on 14 February 2014.

The following representatives were in attendance to help the Scrutiny Board consider the information presented:

·  Paul Broughton (Chief Officer Care Delivery (Adult Social Care)) – Leeds City Council

·  Andrew Rawnsley (Head of Service (Learning Disability Community Support Services) (Adult Social Care)) – Leeds City Council

·  Jean Morgan (Acting Director – HealthWatch Leeds)

In addressing the Scrutiny Board, the Chief Officer Care Delivery (Adult Social Care) summarised the Executive Board report and briefly outlined progress since February 2014, which included:

·  The Executive Board member (Councillor Ogilvie) had written to all affected members of staff.

·  A carers and service user workshop

·  Establishment of a Project Board – Chaired by the Executive Board member.

·  Production of a ‘Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)’ document.

·  Application to the Cabinet Office for external funding to assist in the establishment/ development of a social enterprise.

·  Planning for a wide range of activity.

The Head of Service (Learning Disability Community Support Services) provided more details on the proposed consultation plans, staff ballot and involvement of service users and carers.

In addressing the Scrutiny Board, the Acting Director of HealthWatch Leeds made a number of points, including:

·  In any consultation it was important for service users to have a voice and the ability to influence decision-making.

·  While acknowledging the established arrangements to involve service users and carers, it was important to recognise and involve groups and organisations outside the ‘recognised system’.

The Scrutiny Board discussed the report and the details highlighted at the meeting.  A number of matters were raised and discussed, including:

·  Impacts on service users and carers.

·  Future regulation and monitoring arrangements for any future delivery structure/ organisation.

·  Consideration of the ‘key drivers’ for the proposals:

o  Service improvements

o  Service user advantage

o  Financial challenges

·  Public Sector ethos and future management techniques.

·  Future organisational structure, governance and accountability arrangements, and staffing levels.

·  Impact/ implications of service users opting to manage their own needs through ‘Direct Payments’.

·  Initial and current staff views on proposals.

·  Future freedoms over form and function of ‘back office’ arrangements.

Overall, the Scrutiny Board was reassured by the details provided in response to the issues raised and discussed at the meeting.

RESOLVED –

(a)  To note the information presented and discussed at the meeting, including the outline of the proposals and progress to date.

(b)  That a further report, detailing progress and outcome of the consultation processes, be presented to the Scrutiny Board prior to any future Executive Board report and/or decision.

To consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development providing an opportunity for the Scrutiny Board to explore the process for developing the national Specialised Services Strategy and the potential implications (nationally, regionally and locally) associated with concentrating expertise in a reduced number of centres. 

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a late report (Minute 112 refers) that introduced the UK Strategy for Rare Diseases and associated commitments produced by the Department of Health in November 2013.  The report also introduced NHS England’s Statement of Intent in relation to Rare Diseases, published in February 2014. 

It was proposed to consider the details presented jointly with the next item on the agenda, NHS Specialised Services and consultation on proposed changes to specific service specifications (Minute 117 refers).

RESOLVED – To note the information presented and consider any specific matters jointly with the details presented on NHS Specialised Services and consultation on proposed changes to specific service specifications.

To consider the Board’s work schedule for the remainder of the municipal year.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report to help the Scrutiny Board consider the process for developing the national Specialised Services Strategy and the potential implications associated with concentrating expertise in a reduced number of centres. 

The report also aimed to help provide an opportunity for the Scrutiny Board to respond to consultation around proposed changes to 14 Specialised Service specifications.

The following additional information was provided for the Joint Committee to consider (Minute 112 refers):

·  Proposed changes to 14 specialised service areas

·  Written submission/ briefing by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

The following representatives were in attendance to help the Scrutiny Board consider the information presented:

·  Cathy Edwards (Director of Commissioning) – NHS England (South Yorkshire & Bassetlaw Area Team)

·  Laura Sherburn (Head of Specialised Commissioning) – NHS England (South Yorkshire & Bassetlaw Area Team)

·  Julian Hartley (Chief Executive – Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust)

·  Dr Mark Smith (Chief Operating Officer – Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust)

·  David Berridge (Medical Director (Operations) – Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust)

In addressing the Scrutiny Board, the Director of Commissioning (NHS England (South Yorkshire & Bassetlaw Area Team)) outlined a number of matters, including:

·  The UK Strategy for Rare Diseases aimed to provide consistency in approach across the four countries of the UK and formed part of NHS England’s consideration as it developed a 5-year Specialised Services Strategy.

·  NHS England’s Statement of Intent in response to the UK Strategy for Rare Diseases included commitments to:

o  Involve patients (through patient representatives on 75 national Clinical Reference Groups (CRGs) – responsible for developing service specifications in relation to specialised services.

o  Working with partners.

o  Working with industry.

o  Implementation of the UK Strategy for Rare Diseases.

·  In developing the 5-year Specialised Services Strategy, NHS England was adopting a 3 phase approach:

o  Phase 1 – scoping and defining the strategy (to end of April 2014).  This involved a number of engagement events and developing the case for change (i.e. a reduced number of specialised centres).

o  Phase 2 – analysis of Phase 1 and development of a draft 5-year strategy (April – June 2014).

o  Phase 3 – Public Consultation – 12 weeks commencing in July 2014.

·  The aim was to have a final 5-year Specialised Services Strategy by October/ November 2014 that included a 5-year vision that set out a service plan and quality measures for the future.

Addressing the Scrutiny Board, the Chief Executive of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT), outlined a number of matters, including:

·  There was a significant challenge between balancing devolving and improving specialist expertise and identifying the necessary critical mass of population.

·  It was important the any future arrangements reflected the needs and different geographies of the Yorkshire and Humber region.

The Scrutiny Board discussed the report and the details highlighted at the meeting.  A number of matters were raised and discussed, including:

·  Current delivery of specialised services across Yorkshire and the Humber.

·  The financial implications/ importance of specialised services on LTHT (accounting for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 117.

Wednesday, 30 April 2014 at 10.00am (Pre-meeting for all Scrutiny Board Members at 9.30am)

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report that, following the outcome of the Full Council meeting (26 March 2014), sought a nomination from within the membership of the Scrutiny Board to serve as the Leeds City Council’s representative on the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Yorkshire and the Humber) in relation to the new review of Congenital Heart Disease services.

RESOLVED – To nominate the Chair, Cllr John Illingworth, as Leeds City Council’s representative to serve on the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Yorkshire and the Humber) in relation to the new review of Congenital Heart Disease services.

To consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting information in relation to the UK Strategy for Rare Diseases, NHS England’s associated Statement of Intent and the link to specialised services.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report that outlined the on-going development of the Scrutiny Board’s work schedule for 2013/14. 

The Principal Scrutiny Adviser provided a verbal update and highlighted a number of matters likely to be of interest and the subject of further consideration by the Scrutiny Board, including:

·  The Better Care Fund – the final submission had been signed-off by the Health and Wellbeing Board on 27 March 2014.

·  Leeds Clinical Commission Groups were in the process of finalising their 2-year and 5-year commissioning plans/ strategies.

·  Primary Care – NHS England had recently (20 March 2014) published its first phase report on Improving General Practice.

RESOLVED – To note the information presented and agree that the Principal Scrutiny Adviser, in consultation with the Chair, amend the future work schedule.

To consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development seeking nomination of a member from within its membership (subject to Full Council agreement) to sit on the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Yorkshire and the Humber) in relation to the new review of Congenital Heart Disease services.

Wednesday, 30 April 2014, commencing at 10:00am (with a pre-meeting for Board Members at 9:30am).

(The meeting concluded at 12:10pm)