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 interests in accordance with Leeds City Council’s ‘Councillor Code of Conduct’.

There were no declarations of interests.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Councillor J Dowson submitted her apologies to the meeting.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 5^th October 2021.

RESOLVED - That the minutes of the meeting held 5^th October 2021 be approved as an accurate record.

To receive a report from the Head of Democratic Services regarding the ongoing development of the local Integrated Care System and the update that will be provided to the Board during the meeting.  

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report regarding the ongoing development of the local Integrated Care System (ICS) and the update to be provided to the Board during the meeting.

The following were in attendance:

-  Councillor Fiona Venner, Executive Member for Adult and Children’s Social Care and Health Partnerships

-  Councillor Salma Arif, Executive Member for Public Health and Active Lifestyles

-  Cath Roff, Director of Adults and Health

-  Victoria Eaton, Director of Public Health

-  Tim Ryley, Chief Executive of NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)

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

The Chief Executive of NHS Leeds CCG introduced the report and delivered a PowerPoint presentation which provided an update on the developing decision making and governance arrangements surrounding the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, as well as the developing Leeds Place Based Partnership ICB Committee.  It was highlighted that the West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership had now launched a consultation on the draft Integrated Care Board Constitution, which is an important document setting out what the ICB will do and how it will work. The consultation will run from 8^th November 2021 until 14 January 2022.  It was noted that the Scrutiny Board will be utilising its next public meeting on 11^th January 2022 to consider this in greater detail.

Members discussed a number of matters, including:

·  In response to a query, it was confirmed that a Public Health representative will be part of the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Partnership (ICP), as well as the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB). However, the formal arrangements are yet to be finalised.

·  It was highlighted that while the West Yorkshire ICB will be a new statutory organisation, it will primarily be building on the existing partnership working arrangements that have been in place across local health and care organisations over the last five years.

·  Members highlighted the missed opportunity nationally to enforce tackling health inequalities as part of the Health and Care Bill. In response to this, representatives assured Members that although not explicitly mentioned within new legislation, tackling health inequalities is central to the approach of the Integrated Care Partnership and will be supported by local leadership and commitment across the system.

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

To receive a report from the Head of Democratic Services which presents a further update on the current understanding of the system impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in Leeds through the lens of health and care service provision, including the response plans and measures in place.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report that presented a further update on the current understanding of the system impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in Leeds through the lens of health and care service provision, as well as providing an insight to the response plans and measures that are in place too.

The following were in attendance:

-  Councillor Fiona Venner, Executive Member for Adult and Children’s Social Care and Health Partnerships

-  Councillor Salma Arif, Executive Member for Public Health and Active Lifestyles

-  Cath Roff, Director of Adults and Health

-  Victoria Eaton, Director of Public Health

-  Tim Ryley, Chief Executive of NHS Leeds CCG

-  Helen Lewis, Director of Pathway Integration, NHS Leeds CCG

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

-  Claire Smith, Chief Operating Officer, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

The Director of Pathway Integration introduced the report, highlighting the wide range of issues partners are managing within the context of increased pressures and demands, continued gaps in workforce and the impact of social distancing on the number of patients that can be safely seen in person.

The Director of Public Health provided an update on the rates of COVID-19, which have dropped slightly nationally and also in Leeds, with under 300 people per 100,000 testing positive per day for the whole city. It was highlighted that the current modelling projection also suggests a downward trend in terms of rates and hospital admissions.

The Executive Member for Adult and Children’s Social Care and Health Partnerships also highlighted that recovery measures have been incorporated into existing council strategies. The Executive Member for Public Health and Active Lifestyles advised the Board that the low uptake of vaccinations in deprived communities in Leeds is still an issue and requires further support and attention moving forward.

Members discussed a number of matters, including:

·  It was explained that areas with the highest rate of infection earlier in the pandemic, such as Headingley and Harehills, are now showing the lowest rates of infection, largely due to the widespread immunity following previous infections. Rates are now higher in more affluent areas, where people who were previously working from home and were able to have limited exposure, are more exposed and less protected through natural immunity.

·  Members requested detailed data in relation to the prevalence of COVID-19, with a breakdown by demographic groups, as well as take-up figures for the COVID-19 and flu vaccines.

·  Members recognised that flu prevalence is a serious risk to older people in particular and therefore welcomed the focused campaigning on flu vaccinations too. In response to a query, Members were advised that flu vaccine take-up decreases amongst younger age groups, similarly to the COVID-19 vaccine. Related to this, it was noted that excess deaths from all causes is the most cohesive reflection of the pandemic.

·  Members queried whether large increases in A&E visits and delayed waiting times, as reported in the media, are reflective of the position in Leeds. In  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

To consider the Scrutiny Board’s work schedule for the 2021/22 municipal year.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report that presented the work schedule for the remainder of the municipal year.

The report also referenced the Scrutiny Board’s discussion last month in relation to plans to redesign the Community Neurological Rehabilitation Service in Leeds.  It was noted that a written Statement setting out the observations, conclusion and recommendations of the Scrutiny Board was subsequently produced (in consultation with Board Members) and submitted to the Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust and NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group.  A copy of the agreed Statement had been appended to the report for information.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the work schedule be noted.

(b)  That the Scrutiny Board’s agreed Statement on the redesign of the Community Neurological Rehabilitation Service in Leeds be noted.

Tuesday, 11^th January 2022 at 1.30 pm (pre-meeting for all Board Members at 1.00 pm)

Tuesday, 11th January 2022 at 1.30 pm (pre-meeting for all Board Members at 1.00 pm)

In her closing comments, the Chair acknowledged it being the Board’s last meeting of the calendar year and therefore took the opportunity to formally pay tribute and give thanks to the NHS and social care representatives for their valuable contributions over the past year.