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.

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 24^th November 2020.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held 24 November 2020 be approved as an accurate record.

To consider a joint report from the Director of Adults and Health and the Director of City Development presenting an overview of outcomes and service performance related to the council priorities and services within the Scrutiny Board’s remit.

The Director of Adults and Health and the Director of City Development submitted a report that presented an overview of outcomes and service performance related to the council priorities and services within the Scrutiny Board’s remit.

The following were in attendance:

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

-  Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Executive Member for Environment and Active Lifestyles

-  Cath Roff, Director of Adults and Health

-  Victoria Eaton, Director of Public Health

-  Shona McFarlane, Deputy Director Social Work and Social Care Services

-  Steve Hume, Chief Officer, Resources and Strategy, Adults and Health

-  Anna Frearson, Chief Officer Consultant in Public Health (Healthy Living and Health Improvement)

-  Phil Evans, Chief Officer, Operations, City Development

-  Steve Baker, Business Manager, Active Leeds

-  Peter Storrie, Head of Service, Performance Management & Improvement

The Executive Members introduced the headline performance issues, as set out in the report. While recognising positive performance across a number of areas despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Members discussed a number of specific matters, including:

·  Delayed transfers of care.  Members made reference to the indicator showing delayed transfers of care from hospital that are attributable to NHS and adult social care and queried the increased figure reported for 2018/19.  In response, it was highlighted that a decision was taken during this period to also include patient bed numbers associated with the Leeds and York Partnership Foundation Trust as joint responsibility pending further clarity on this position.

·  Smoking prevalence and inequality. Members were advised that there is continued focus on deprived areas of Leeds due to the disparity in rates, however there had been an increase in over 40% of people accessing online support for smoking cessation, particularly from the most deprived areas of Leeds. Related to this, Members queried whether future reports should include a Leeds Deprived indicator linked to the drug and alcohol abuse data too.

·  Life expectancy of women. In response to a query, concerns were noted in regards to the falling life expectancy of women in most deprived areas of the city, which has also been raised as an issue nationally.

·  Suicide rates. Members were assured that real-time data from the COVID-19 period has shown no rise generally in suicide rates nationally.

·  Domestic violence and abuse. In response to a query, Members were advised that there was an initial drop in referrals to social care in regards to domestic violence during the first lockdown, which have since increased beyond levels for the same period in 2019.

·  Non-institutional care for people with learning disabilities. Members noted that the number of people in Leeds with a learning disability who live independently is below the national average, and sought more information on the steps taken to address this. Members were advised that teams are considering cost effective ways of promoting and supporting independent living, as part of the budget discussions taking place.

·  Reduced activity levels in minority groups. Members expressed concern that activity levels have dropped more significantly in minority groups and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

To consider a report from the Head of Democratic Services that introduces information regarding the projected 2020/21 financial health position of those service areas that fall within the Board’s remit at Month 7 (October 2020).

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report that introduced information regarding the projected 2020/21 financial health position of those service areas that fall within the Board’s remit at Month 7 (October 2020).

The following were in attendance:

-  Councillor Rebecca Charlwood, Executive Member for Adults, Health and Active Travel

-  Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Executive Member for Environment and Active Lifestyles

-  Cath Roff, Director, Adults and Health

-  Victoria Eaton, Director of Public Health, Adults and Health

-  Shona McFarlane, Deputy Director Social Work and Social Care Services

-  Steve Hume, Chief Officer, Resources and Strategy, Adults and Health

-  John Crowther, Head of Finance, Resources and Housing

-  Jill Stuart, Principal Financial Manager

-  Steven Baker, Active Leeds Business Manager, City Development

-  Phil Evans, Chief Officer, Operations, City Development

The Head of Finance introduced the report, highlighting some of the key messages and continued challenges for provision of social care and public health, including specific COVID-19 related pressures resulting in an overspend of £12.6m.  The Executive Member for Environment and Active Lifestyles and the Chief Officer for Operations also provided a brief overview of the current financial position relating to Active Leeds.

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

To consider a report from the Head of Democratic Services that introduces the Executive Board’s initial budget proposals for 2021/22 for consideration, review and comment on matters and proposals that fall within the Scrutiny Board’s remit.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report that introduced the Executive Board’s initial budget proposals for 2021/22 for consideration, review and comment on matters and proposals that fall within the Scrutiny Board’s remit.

The report acknowledged that Scrutiny Boards had already considered the proposed budget savings proposals that were approved by Executive Board in September, October and November and that a composite Statement summarising Scrutiny feedback during this first phase of consultation was presented to the Executive Board during its meeting on 16^th December 2020 for consideration.

However, a further £5.2m of potential savings across the Council were also approved by the Executive Board during its meeting on 16th December 2020 and subsequently submitted for wider consultation with stakeholders, including Scrutiny.  A copy of the relevant Executive Board report was therefore appended for the Scrutiny Board’s consideration.

It was noted that any additional comments or recommendations made by the Scrutiny Board would inform a further ‘phase 2’ composite Statement by Scrutiny to be submitted to the Executive Board for consideration at its meeting in February 2021.

The following were in attendance:

-  Councillor Rebecca Charlwood, Executive Member for Adults, Health and Active Travel

-  Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Executive Member for Environment and Active Lifestyles

-  Cath Roff, Director, Adults and Health

-  Victoria Eaton, Director of Public Health, Adults and Health

-  Shona McFarlane, Deputy Director Social Work and Social Care Services

-  Steve Hume, Chief Officer, Resources and Strategy, Adults and Health

-  John Crowther, Head of Finance, Resources and Housing

-  Jill Stuart, Principal Financial Manager

-  Steven Baker, Active Leeds Business Manager, City Development

-  Phil Evans, Chief Officer, Operations, City Development

The Chief Officer for Resources and Strategy introduced the report, noting that no additional budget saving proposals for Adults and Health and City Development had been identified in the December Executive Board report at Appendix 1 to the report.

Members discussed a number of matters, including:

·  Leeds Sailing Activity Centre. Reference was made to the service review proposal surrounding Yeadon Tarn Sailing Centre as it was noted that the Phase 1 Scrutiny Statement to Executive Board had made reference to this facility predominantly being used by schools primarily within the Yeadon area. However, it was clarified during the meeting that while the facility is still predominantly used by schools, these are primarily from the North Leeds area. It was therefore noted that this correction would be reflected within the Scrutiny Statement being submitted to the Executive Board for its February meeting.  In the meantime, Members requested the full list of schools who use the centre.

·  Neighbourhood Networks. Reference was again made to the Strategic Commissioning (Older Adults) proposals to reduce funding to a number of third sector organisations, including Neighbourhood Network Services. While acknowledging that consultation with the sector on this proposal was still ongoing, Members were informed of the Council’s attempt to mitigate some of the impact on Neighbourhood Networks in particular by seeking to provide a £0.5 million one off payment  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.

To consider a report from the Director of Adults and Health that introduces the 2019/20 Annual Report for Compliments and Complaints.

The Director of Adults and Health submitted a report that introduced the 2019/20 Annual Report for Compliments and Complaints.

The following were in attendance:

-  Councillor Rebecca Charlwood, Executive Member for Adults, Health and Active Travel

-  Cath Roff, Director, Adults and Health

-  Victoria Eaton, Director of Public Health, Adults and Health

-  Shona McFarlane, Deputy Director Social Work and Social Care Services

-  Steve Hume, Chief Officer, Resources and Strategy, Adults and Health

-  Judith Kasolo, Head of Complaints, Adults and Health

The Executive Member introduced the report and particularly highlighted the 100% compliance rate of complaints reviewed by the Ombudsman. The Head of Complaints then provided an overview of the key points set out in the report, as well as some of the challenges experienced and trends in issues raised through the complaints process.

It was particularly acknowledged that 1680 compliments were received by the service during this reporting period compared with 1131 the previous year, representing a 49% increase.  It was also highlighted that while 651 complaints were recorded compared to 520 in the previous year (representing a 25% increase), this was regarded as positive linked to the ongoing strategy to encourage more people to talk to the directorate and help services understand their experiences as complaints are recognised as a valuable source of intelligence to help inform commissioning activities and service improvements. 

Members discussed a number of matters, including:

·  Independent sector and day services for learning disabilities. Members noted an increase in complaints related to independent services for those with learning disabilities, and sought clarity on the reasons for the rise. Members were advised that the team have worked with independent providers to encourage reporting of complaints to the Council, as a useful tool to inform reassessment needs and commissioning activities. As a result, reporting of complaints has increased which is reflected in the data.

·  Blue Badge assessments. Members were advised that new legislation has been introduced which allows hidden disabilities to be taken into consideration as eligibility for a Blue Badge. Members sought clarity on how hidden disabilities are identified, and were advised that evidence must be submitted via a professional supporting the claim that an individual’s ability to travel is inhibited by their condition, which has resulted in challenges to assessment outcomes where evidence submitted has not been deemed as sufficient.

On behalf of the Board, the Chair welcomed the comprehensive report and thanked the Complaints Team for their hard work.

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

To consider the Scrutiny Board’s work schedule for the 2020/21 municipal year.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report that invited Members to consider the Board’s Work Schedule for the remainder of the current municipal year.

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

Tuesday, 9^th February 2021 at 1.30 pm (pre-meeting for all Board Members at 1.00 pm)

Tuesday, 9th February 2021 at 1.30 pm (pre-meeting for all Board Members at 1.00 pm)