Agenda and minutes

Co-opted Member present - Dr J Beal

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).

There were no appeals.

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.

RESOLVED – That the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as exempt from publication 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 public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information so designated as follows:

That Appendix 2 to the report at Item 8 titled ‘The Quality of regulated services operating in the Leeds City Council boundary and CQC inspection outcomes May 2019 to September 2019’ be designated as being exempt from publication in accordance with paragraph 10.4(3) of Schedule 12A(3) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that the information contained within Appendix 2 relates to the financial or business affairs of the Council.

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.

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 declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

There were no apologies for absence submitted.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 22 October 2019.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held 22October 2019 be approved as an accurate record.

To consider a report from the Director of Adults and Health setting out details of the quality of regulated services operating in the Leeds City Council boundary, alongside the work being undertaken to ensure improvements in the quality of services are being maintained.

Please note Appendix 2 is exempt from publication under the provisions of Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3).

The Director of Adults and Health submitted a report that set out details of the quality of regulated services operating in the Leeds City Council boundary, alongside the work being undertaken to ensure improvements in the quality of services are being maintained.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) Inspection Outcomes May 2019 to September 2019 were appended to the report. Appendix 2 was exempt from publication under the provisions of Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3).

The following were in attendance:

-  Caroline Baria, Deputy Director, Integrated Commissioning, Adults and Health

-  Mark Phillott, Head of Commissioning (Contracts and Business Development), Adults and Health Directorate

The Deputy Director, Adults and Health, introduced the report, providing an overview of the CQC inspection outcomes and some of the key trends and challenges, as well as ongoing targeted work to support care providers.

Members discussed a number of matters, including:

·  Communication with families regarding CQC ratings. Members queried the approach taken to ensuring service users, families and carers were made aware when care homes had received a ‘requires improvement’ or ‘inadequate’ rating. Members were informed that if the service is deteriorating, providers are required to hold a quality meeting with families and carers to inform them of the current challenges and their plans for improvement; with the entire communication process overseen by commissioners.

·  Care home top-up fees. Members queried the number of service users / families providing top-up fees to care homes rated ‘requires improvement’ or ‘inadequate’ by CQC, and were advised that families were informed and supported to either remain in the home, or to consider other care options. The Deputy Director noted that contract suspension prevents new residents from moving into a home, which means that ultimately, the home may no longer be financially viable. The Council’s preferred approach is to work with providers to identify the right steps and measures to improve quality.

·  Recruitment and retention of registered nurses. Members noted that the recruitment and retention of registered nurses in the care sector was a national problem, and therefore considered the possibility of pursuing this with the Department of Health and Social Care, the Local Government Association, and the Royal College of Nursing to seek guidance and detail around plans to address this matter.

·  Home First – Leeds Plan Priority. Members questioned how current provision and quality of that provision (particularly in relation to homecare), supported the ambitions of the Leeds Plan, and as a priority of the Leeds Health and Care System, this required and system approach and response. 

·  Home Care. Members remained concerned at the quality of primary and framework providers of homecare; and queried the length of the current contract arrangements.  Members were advised the homecare providers market remains fragile and that current contract arrangements were due to run until July 2021.  Members were also advised that a consideration was being given to potential future models of homecare provision across the City.  The Chair requested an update on progress and highlighted the importance of early engagement  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

To consider a report from the Head of Democratic Services introducing the Leeds System Resilience Plan 2019/20.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report that introduced the Leeds System Resilience Plan 2019/20.

The following details were appended to the report:

-  Leeds System Resilience – Terms of Reference 2019/21

-  Leeds System Resilience – Winter 2018-19 Evaluation

-  Winter Resilience 2018-2019 Communications Plan

-  Leeds System Resilience Plan 2019/20 Risks Register

The following were in attendance:

-  Debra Taylor-Tate, Head of Unplanned Care, NHS Leeds CCG

-  Shona McFarlane, Deputy Director, Social Work and Social Care, Leeds City Council

The Head of Unplanned Care, NHS Leeds CCG, introduced the report and provided an overview of each of the documents appended to the report, along with further detail of plans for the winter period.

Members discussed a number of matters, including:

·  Elective surgery. Members sought clarity around plans to cancel elective surgery to manage the winter pressure, and were informed that cancellations had been planned so that patients could be notified as soon as possible;

·  Preparations for leaving the European Union. Members discussed the arrangements being put in place; and requested that commissioners and providers shared such plans with the Scrutiny Board. 

·  Governance structure. The Chair commented that the current governance structure as set out within the terms of reference did not include the Scrutiny Board as a key oversight body, and requested that this be amended.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices, along with Members comments, be noted.

b)  That the Governance structure chart be amended to recognise the role of the Scrutiny Board in providing oversight and challenge as an integral part of the Leeds Health and Care system.

c)  That a further report reviewing the effectiveness of the resilience plans over the winter period be presented to the Scrutiny Board as early as possible in 2020.

To consider a report from the Head of Democratic Services that introduces an update from Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group regarding its progress in delivering five urgent treatment centres across Leeds.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report that introduced an update from Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group regarding its progress in delivering five urgent treatment centres (UTCs) across Leeds.

The following were in attendance:

-  Debra Taylor-Tate, Head of Unplanned Care, NHS Leeds CCG

-  Shak Rafiq, Communications Manager, NHS Leeds CCG

The Head of Unplanned Care introduced the report, providing Members with an update on the progress and further development of current provision, along with future provision and engagement plans.

Members discussed a number of matters, including:

·  Engagement with ward members. There was some discussion amongst members around the ongoing involvement and engagement with local ward members. Members encouraged CCG colleagues to visit Community Committees to discuss future plans;

·  Dental services. In response to a query, members were informed that out-of-hours dental services are not currently located in UTCs, as dental care is currently commissioned by NHS England rather than the CCG. However, conversations were ongoing with NHS England around potential dental provision in the future. The Scrutiny Board emphasised its support for this approach, highlighting that service provision needed to reflect the needs of local communities rather than being determined by organisational boundaries or arrangements. 

·  Promotion of new services. In response to a query, members were advised that new UTCs would mainly be promoted locally to help services to become established in local communities and help manage short-term demand at the initial launch and mobilisation. 

·  Future Plans. Members queried the timescales for addressing urgent care needs in the East of the City – particularly referencing the potential development of the UTC in Seacroft.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report and appendices, along with Members comments, be noted.

To consider a report from the Head of Democratic Services that introduces a referral made to the Scrutiny Board in relation to the Aireborough Leisure Centre.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report that introduces a referral made to the Scrutiny Board in relation to the Aireborough Leisure Centre.

The referral letter from Councillors G Latty, P Latty and P Wadsworth was appended to the report.

The following were in attendance:

-  Councillor Graham Latty, Guiseley and Rawdon ward

-  Councillor Pat Latty, Guiseley and Rawdon ward

Councillor G Latty outlined his fellow ward members concerns. Councillor G Latty referred to the long delays to completion of the renovation of Aireborough Leisure Centre, which started in May 2016 and was due to be opened again in May 2018. The leisure centre opened to the public in September 2019 (with a few brief closures since), almost a year and a half after the original completion date.

The Guiseley and Rawdon Councillor’s concerns were predominantly related to procurement and project management, and Councillor G Latty noted that the performance of staff at the leisure centre was not part of the scrutiny referral. Members were informed that the prolonged close of the leisure centre deprived the community of access to sport and activity. Councillor P Latty added that this included pupils from local schools, who used the facilities for school swimming lessons. In addition to the delays, Councillor G Latty raised concerns around the excess costs of £750,000 associated with the project.

Members discussed a number of matters, including:

·  Impact on neighbouring wards. It was noted that the renovation delays also impacted on residents from neighbouring wards, including Otley and Yeadon, who provided swimming facilities for schools who would ordinarily use the pool at Aireborough Leisure Centre. It was also noted that ward members from neighbouring wards were not provided with project updates, and relied upon receiving information from Guiseley and Rawdon ward members.

·  Input from other Scrutiny Boards. Although the referral was related to access to active lifestyles, Members felt that the procurement and project management issues were areas that other Scrutiny Boards would be able to provide valuable input, and therefore suggested that representatives from relevant Boards be invited to future discussions.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the request presented to the Scrutiny Board be accepted and included in the overall work programme.

b)  That representatives from other relevant Scrutiny Boards be invited to participate in any further consideration of the matters outlined in the request. 

Councillor D Ragan left at 16:00 p.m. during discussion of this item.

To receive an update from the Chair on scrutiny activity since the previous Board meeting, on matters not specifically included elsewhere on the agenda.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report that provided an opportunity for the Chair of the Scrutiny Board to outline some areas of work and activity since the previous Scrutiny Board meeting in October 2019.

The Chair provided an update to the Board regarding a number of matters, including:

·  A meeting held to discuss dental services with representatives from NHS England held 31October 2019;

·  The West Yorkshire Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held 19 November 2019.

In particular, the Chair highlighted the following matters:

·  The need to work with our Health Care leads in Leeds in order to strengthen awareness and understanding of the implications of the work happening at a West Yorkshire level at local placed based areas – i.e. implications for Leeds. 

·  Specific matters around waiting times, highlighted from the discussion around dermatology and different explanations being provided to patients around the cause of delays. 

·  Various intelligence suggesting there are significant waiting times in other specialist areas. 

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted and the matters highlighted be incorporated into the Boards future work schedule.

Councillors S Lay and C Knight left the meeting at 16:10 p.m. during discussion of this item.

To consider the Scrutiny Board’s work schedule for the 2019/20 municipal year.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report which invited Members to consider the Board’s work schedule for the remainder of the 2019/20 municipal year. The Principal Scrutiny Adviser introduced the report and outlined the areas within the work schedule.

RESOLVED – That, with the addition of the requests made during the meeting, the report and outline work schedule presented be agreed.

Tuesday, 7 January 2020 at 1:30pm.  (Pre-meeting for all Board members at 1:00pm).

Tuesday, 7 January 2020 at 1:30 p.m. (Pre-meeting for all Board members at 1:00 p.m).

The meeting ended at 16:15 p.m.