Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the new municipal year for the Scrutiny Board (Health and Well-Being and Adult Social Care).  In particular, the Chair welcomed those members new to the Council the Scrutiny Board.

Prior to starting the order of business, the Chair recognised and paid tribute to the work of the Scrutiny Board undertaken in previous municipal years and in particular the efforts of the former Chair.

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

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

There were no late items of business to consider.

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.

Councillor Sandy Lay declared an interest as a paid NHS employee within a neighbouring local authority area.  As this did not impact on the business under discussion, Councillor Lay remained in the meeting and took an active part in the Board’s discussions.

There were no other disclosable pecuniary interests declared to the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

There were no apologies for absence and no substitute members in attendance. 

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 30 April 2014.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 30 April 2014 be approved as a correct record.

To receive a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting the Board’s terms of reference.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report introducing the Scrutiny Board’s terms of reference, including the functions delegated to the Director of Adult Social Services and the Director of Public Health, as detailed in the Council’s constitution. 

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

To receive a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting the Department of Health guidance specifically in relation to its Health Scrutiny Board function.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report that presented the recently published guidance relating to the local authority health scrutiny function – a function delegated from the Council to the Scrutiny Board. 

The Principal Scrutiny Adviser introduced the report and outlined some of the key messages detailed in the guidance, including the requirements around joint scrutiny arrangements that may impact on the work of the Board over the course of the municipal year, and beyond. 

The need to consider the overall ‘financial envelop’ of local health services when considering proposed service changes and developments was also specifically highlighted. 

RESOLVED – To note the contents of the report and the guidance provided, and to reflect this in the operation of the Scrutiny Board during the course of the year.

To receive a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on the appointment of co-opted members to Scrutiny Boards.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report setting out the Board’s available option in terms of the appointment of co-opted members; as detailed in the Council’s constitution.

The Scrutiny Board was advised that there had been some discussions with HealthWatch Leeds around the potential appointment of a non-voting co-opted representative to the Scrutiny Board (Health and Wellbeing and Adult Social Care).  It was reported that HealthWatch Leeds had expressed an interest in providing a nominated representative, if requested by the Scrutiny Board. 

Members discussed the appointment of co-optees in general and also focused on the following specific issues relating to HealthWatch Leeds:

·  The various and potential roles undertaken by HealthWatch Leeds.

·   Potential conflicts of interest – given HealthWatch Leeds’ role on the Health and Wellbeing Board.

·  Potential conflicts of interest – should the Scrutiny Board consider the role, progress and performance of HealthWatch Leeds. 

·  Members requested that such potential conflicts of interest be drawn to the attention of Healthwatch Leeds when seeking any non-voting co-opted member nomination.

RESOLVED –

(a)  To seek a nomination from HealthWatch Leeds for an appropriate representative to serve as a non-voting co-opted member of the Scrutiny Board for the remainder of the municipal year 2014/15.

(b)  On receipt of the nomination referred to in (a) above, to appoint the identified representative to serve as a non-voting co-opted member of the Scrutiny Board for the remainder of the municipal year 2014/15.

(c)  To keep under review the appointment of standing and ad-hoc non-voting co-opted members to the Scrutiny Board and/or its working groups.

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.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report seeking the nomination of a representative from within the membership of the Scrutiny Board to serve on the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Yorkshire and the Humber) – the JHOSC – in relation to the new review of Congenital Heart Disease services.

Following a request from a member of the Scrutiny Board, the Principal Scrutiny Adviser provided a brief update in terms of the current position, as follows:

·  The new review of Congenital Heart Disease services – despite the orginal intentions of concluding the new review with 12 months (i.e. by June 2014), recent information confirm the timetable had slipped further.  It was now anticipated that a full 12-week public consultation on proposed service standards was likely to be launched (at best) in late September 2014.  The timetable was subject to confirmation. 

·  In relation to issues associated with the temporary closure and recommencement of services at the children’s heart surgery unit in Leeds in March/ April 2013, the third element of NHS England’s further review (relating to professional concerns) had not yet been completed / published.  It had been reported to the JHOSC in April 2014 that this would be completed and published in mid-May 2014.  This date had not been met and, despite a number of requests, there had been no official confirmation of the revised, anticipated publication date. Anecdotally, the third report was expected to be published in mid-July 2014.

The Chair thanked the Principal Scrutiny Adviser for the update and advised members of the Scrutiny Board that the JHOSC would consider any proposed service standards and respond to any consultation, as appropriate.  The JHOSC would also continue to pursue any outstanding matters with NHS England, in relation to the temporary closure and recommencement of services at the children’s heart surgery unit in Leeds in March/ April 2013.

In considering 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, it was agreed that the Chair should undertake this role.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report and the update provided at the meeting be noted.

(b)  That Councillor Debra Coupar be nominated as the Leeds representative on the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Yorkshire and the Humber) in relation to the new review of Congenital Heart Disease services.

To receive a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting the findings and areas of improvement, following the recent inspection of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report that presented the summary of findings and areas for improvement following the recent Care Quality Commission hospital inspection of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

It was report that Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust was currently drafting its proposed action plan to address the identified areas for improvement, which would be published in the near future.

The Scrutiny Board was advised of the proposal to consider the inspection report and associated action plans in more detail at the September Board meeting – with input from the appropriate organisations.

In considering the summary report presented at the meeting, members highlighted the following issues as matters to be considered in more detail at the September meeting:

·  Corporate Governance and/or other arrangements for monitoring compliance.

·  Any links between the safeguarding issues highlighted in the Care Quality Commission report and those details highlighted in the report detailing the findings and recommendations arising from the investigation into matters relating to Jimmy Savile and the Trust (presented elsewhere on the agenda).

·  The extent to which underlying issues around the Trust’s resources/ financial situation had been taken account of during the investigation.

·  The underlying issues associated with the staffing issues highlighted by the report. 

RESOLVED –

(a)  To note the contents of the report and the proposed process for more detailed consideration of this matter in September 2014.

(b)  To advise those attending the Scrutiny Board meeting in September of the particular issues highlighted by the Board for more detailed consideration.

To receive a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting a summary report, including findings and recommendations, following the investigation commissioned by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in December 2012.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report that presented a summary of the findings and recommendations following the investigation commissioned by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in December 2012 into matters relating to Jimmy Savile at the Trust.

The Scrutiny Board was advised that the Leeds Safeguarding Boards (Children and Adults) would jointly consider the report findings, oversee actions against the recommendations and monitor progress.  As such, any future scrutiny activity might usefully be undertaken jointly with the Scrutiny Board (Children and Families), with a focus on the respective roles of the Safeguarding Boards in over-seeing progress/ performance. 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

(b)  That the Scrutiny Board maintains oversight of progress against the findings and recommendations identified in the report, with a specific focus on the respective roles of Leeds’ Adults and Children’s Safeguarding Boards in over-seeing progress and performance.

To receive a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on potential sources of work for the Scrutiny Board.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report presenting a range of information and introducing a number of inputs to aid the Board’s consideration of its work schedule for 2014/15. 

The following representatives were in attendance:

-  Councillor Lisa Mulherin (Executive Board Member for Health and Wellbeing) – Leeds City Council

-  Councillor Adam Ogilvie (Executive Board Member for Adult Social Services) – Leeds City Council

-   Dennis Holmes (Deputy Director, Adult Social Services)

-  Phil Corrigan (Chief Officer, Leeds West Clinical Commissioning Group)

-   Lianne Langdon (Director of Commissioning and Strategic Development, Leeds North Clinical Commissioning Group)

The Board discussed a number of potential areas for consideration during the municipal year, taking advice and suggestions put forward by those present at the meeting.  A wide range of issues were discussed, including:

·  The future commissioning of homecare services

·  Implications and implementation of the Care Act 2014

·  The Better Care Fund

·  Leeds as an Age Friendly City

·  Loneliness and social isolation

·  Transitional arrangements between services for children and adults

·  Health and Social Care transformation and service integration

·  Mental Health Services – in particular the mental health framework and services and support for younger people

·  Children and Families Act (2014) – requirements around integrated health and education plans

·  Public Health in Leeds – 1 year on from the Council assuming responsibility

·  Integrated health service commissioning across West Yorkshire and the work of commissioners across West Yorkshire and Harrogate (known as the 10CC Group). The initial focus of this work being:

o  Stroke Services;

o  Cancer Services;

o  Paediatric Services – specifically Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) out of area placements, and surgery services.

·  Delivery and developments for Primary Care

·  Commissioning of Specialised Services

·  Whistleblowing policies across local health and social care bodies

The Chair thanked those in attendance for their suggestions and contributions to the discussion. 

In recognising the need to priorities matters and consider overall capacity, the Chair also thanked members of the Board for their thoughts and suggestions.

RESOLVED –

(a)  To note the contents of the report, its appendices and those matters discussed at the meeting.

(b)  To review resolutions identifying any follow-up reports from the previous municipal year on an individual basis and incorporated into the Scrutiny Board’s work schedule for 2014/15, as appropriate.

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

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report asking the Scrutiny Board to reflect on its discussions earlier in the meeting and to identify the Board’s priorities for the remainder of the 2014/15 municipal year.

The report also proposed the establishment of two working groups and presented draft terms of reference in relation to the following areas:

·  The Review of Homecare

·  Health Service Developments

In introducing the report and proposed terms of reference, the Principal Scrutiny Adviser suggested the following amendments to the scope of the Health Service Developments Working Group:

·  Strengthening the relationship with the Council’s recently established Community Committees – with the aim of raising awareness and gathering community intelligence in relation to proposed service changes and developments.

·  Broadening the scope of the working group to include and ensure a specific focus on the Transformation of Health and Social Care Services across Leeds.

Members agreed to the suggestions made and requested that the draft terms of reference be amended accordingly. 

Members also discussed the governance and membership arrangements for each of the proposed working groups.

RESOLVED –

(a)  To request that the Chair, with support from the Principal Scrutiny Adviser, draft a proposed work schedule for consideration in September 2014, reflecting on the relative priorities discussed at the meeting and the capacity of the Scrutiny Board.

(b)  To agree the terms of reference for the Review of Homecare Working Group (as presented).

(c)  To agree the terms of reference for the Health Service Developments Working Group (as presented), subject to the inclusion of details around Community Committees and the overall health and social care transformation work discussed at the meeting.

(d)  To request that each member of the Scrutiny Board provide the Principal Scrutiny Adviser with details of their preferred working group membership.

(NB Councillor Maqsood left the meeting at 11:20am during consideration of this item)

Tuesday, 30 September at 10.00am in the Civic Hall, Leeds (Pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9.30am)

It was noted that the Health Service Developments Working Group would hold its first meeting on 28 July 2014.

RESOLVED – To note the date and time of the next meeting as Tuesday, 30 September 2014 at 10:00am (with a pre-meeting for members of the Scrutiny Board from 9:30am).

(The meeting concluded at 11:30am)