Agenda item

To receive a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development introducing two Requests for Scrutiny.

The Principal Scrutiny Adviser introduced the item and outlined that requests for scrutiny had been received in relation to the following areas:

·  Use of Council’ resources in the delivery of a range of Adult Social Care services.

·  The potential risk to patients being created by the Board of the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

·  The proposed next steps for delivering the Better Lives Strategy in Leeds, agreed at the Executive Board meeting on 19 November 2014. (minute 46 refers)

Use of Council’ resources in the delivery of a range of Adult Social Care services

Mr A Atkins was in attendance and addressed to Scrutiny Board to outline the request for scrutiny in more detail.  Mr Atkins referred to the supplementary information presented in the Council response to the freedom of information request received by the Council on 11 August 2014 (minute 46 refers) – specifically referring to the number of hours spent by Adult Social Services staff shadowing or working in alternative work areas, and the potential financial implications associated with such practice.

The Scrutiny Board discussed the information presented at the meeting and agreed to the Chair’s proposal to refer the matter to the Adult Social Care Working Group for more detailed consideration.  Mr Atkins was also invited to attend that working group when further consideration was given to the matters raised.

The proposed next steps for delivering the Better Lives Strategy in Leeds

The Chair outlined the request for scrutiny received by the Executive Member for Adult Social Services: that being to consider the next steps agreed by the Executive Board in November 2014.

While the precise timing for the proposed scrutiny activity was still to be determined, the Chair suggested that the Scrutiny Board agree to the request for scrutiny in principle and that further discussion takes place with Adult Social Services regarding the timing of the activity.  The Scrutiny Board agreed the Chair’s proposal.

The potential risk to patients being created by the Board of the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust

The Principal Scrutiny Adviser outlined the details presented to the meeting, referred to the Scrutiny Board for consideration by the Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing.

Members of the Scrutiny Board discussed the available information and were reminded that any scrutiny activity should be focused around the performance of the service provider and the impact on patients/ services users in terms of service quality and/or matters of patient safety.

The Scrutiny Board agreed to the proposal to convene and additional, dedicated meeting to consider the concerns raised by Unite, seeking additional information to support/ substantiate the identified concerns, alongside responses from the service provider and NHS commissioners.  Consideration would also be given to involving other interested parties in this aspect of the Board’s work.

The Principal Scrutiny Adviser reminded members of the Scrutiny Board of the timing of the planned Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection of Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust.  It was agreed that the CQC should be contacted and made aware of the Board’s planned activity.

RESOLVED –

(a)  To note the requests and information provided at the meeting.

(b)  To accept each of the three requests for scrutiny and take action as discussed and reflected in the above minute.