Agenda and minutes

Co-optee 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.

There were no exempt items.

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.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 11 February 2020.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 11 February 2020 be approved as a correct record.

To receive a report from the Head of Democratic Services in relation to the ongoing progress made by the council working with partners and communities in response to the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report in relation to the ongoing progress made by the council working with partners and communities in response to the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.

The Executive Board (19 May 2020) report titled ‘Update on Coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic – Response and Recovery Plan’ was appended for the Board’s attention and consideration.

The following were in attendance:

-  Councillor Rebecca Charlwood, Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adults

-  Cath Roff, Director of Adults and Health, Leeds City Council

-  Victoria Eaton, Director of Public Health, Leeds City Council

-  Helen Lewis, Interim Director of Operational Delivery, Leeds Clinical Commission Group

-  Julian Hartley, Chief Executive, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

-  Sam Prince, Executive Director of Operations, Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust

-  Sara Munro, Chief Executive, Leeds and York Partnership Foundation NHS Trust

The Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adults introduced the report, and in doing so expressed her thanks to all health partners and their ongoing work throughout the pandemic, and also to residents of Leeds, recognising the difficulties and pressures placed upon families during this time. The Executive Member also noted that the position had evolved since the report submitted to the 19^th May 2020 Executive Board meeting, and specifically, that there are now no cases of Coronavirus in care homes in Leeds.

Members discussed a number of matters, including:

·  Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Members asked for an update on the accessibility to PPE stock in Leeds, particularly in care homes across the city, and were assured that a number of clear pathways to obtain PPE have been established to ensure that organisations are able to maintain sufficient stock levels, which is overseen by a city-wide group lead by the Director of Adults and Health.

·  Mental health services. In response to a query around the impact of Covid-19 on mental health services in the city, Members were advised that there was an initial decline in mental health referrals at the beginning of the UK lockdown, however the demand is now returning to ‘pre-Covid’ levels. Members were advised that there had been cases of Covid-19 across all LYPFT settings, including psychiatric intensive care, which had created some challenges around behaviour. Members were informed that staff have undergone extensive additional training, and the estate had been reconfigured to protect those at high risk.

·  Wellbeing support services for shielded groups. Members sought clarity around the steps taken to support the mental wellbeing of shielded groups living in isolation. Members were advised that targeted support is provided to shielded groups in partnership with the third sector, and there is an ongoing initiative to recruit shielded groups to the volunteer ‘buddying’ programme, to support others and their local community whilst improving their social and emotional wellbeing. It was also noted that people who are shielding are advised to do so on an individual basis, whilst being mindful of the importance of quality of life for those with terminal conditions.

·  Future outbreaks and contact  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To receive a report from the Head of Democratic Services introducing specific information and analysis of health inequalities associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report introducing specific information and analysis of health inequalities associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The following documents were appended to the report:

-  Analysis of Leeds and national data for COVID-19 cases and mortality, using comparisons of available information

-  ‘Disparities in the risk and outcomes of COVID-19’ report, Public Health England, June 2020

The following were in attendance:

-  Councillor Rebecca Charlwood, Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adults

-  Cath Roff, Director of Adults and Health, Leeds City Council

-  Victoria Eaton, Director of Public Health, Leeds City Council

-  Helen Lewis, Interim Director of Operational Delivery, Leeds Clinical Commission Group

-  Julian Hartley, Chief Executive, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

-  Sam Prince, Executive Director of Operations, Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust

-  Sara Munro, Chief Executive, Leeds and York Partnership Foundation NHS Trust

The Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adults introduced the report, highlighting that levels of deprivation are shown to have multiplying effects on poor health outcomes as a result of Covid-19. Additionally, the Executive Member noted that education as child is a key predictor of health, and therefore it is important to recognise that children who have multiple deprivations and have missed out on education during the pandemic, may be more likely to experience worse health in future, further widening the gap of health inequailty.

The Director of Public Health informed Members that a number of national reports foucused on inequality had been recently published, and that teams in Leeds are working closely with author Professor Kevin Fenton to ensure that findings are reflected in the Leeds Local Outbreak Plan.

·  Structural racism and discrimination. In response to a query, Members were assured that specific focus on structural racism and discrimination within the health and care sector would be included in future plans for managing Covid-19 locally.

·  Digital inequality. Members noted concern around inequalities in access to digital in the current climate, which due to social distancing and shielding, has a greater impact on peoples’ access to information and services. Members were assured that work is ongoing to support third sector organisations to provide equipment and improve digital skills of communities.

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

To consider the Scrutiny Board’s initial work schedule for June – August 2020.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report which invited Members to consider the Board’s initial work schedule for June – August 2020.

The Principal Scrutiny Adviser introduced the report and outlined proposed revisions to the work schedule. 

The Chair noted that it was Steven Courtney’s (Principal Scrutiny Adviser) final meeting before leaving the Council to complete a secondment at the Hull Clinical Commissioning Group. The Chair thanked Steven for his support to the Board, and was joined by Members in wishing Steven all the best in his new role.

RESOLVED – That the report and outline work schedule presented be agreed.

Tuesday, 14 July 2020 at 2:00pm (pre-meeting for all Scrutiny Board members at 1:45pm).

Tuesday, 14 July 2020 at 2:00pm (pre-meeting for all Scrutiny Board members at 1:45pm)