Agenda and minutes

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 formal late items. However, some supplementary information in relation to Item 13 (Work Schedule) was submitted and distributed to Members prior to the meeting (Minute 82 refers).

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; however in the interests of transparency the following personal interests were drawn to the attention of the Board:

Councillor Ragan – a close family member was in receipt of a direct payment.

Councillor Lay – employed by Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies were received from Councillors M Iqbal, C Knight and co-opted member Dr J Beal. Councillors N Dawson and H Bithell were in attendance as substitutes.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 26 November 2019.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held 26 November 2019 be approved as an accurate record.

To consider a joint report from the Director of Adults and Health and the Director of City Development

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

The following documents were appended to the report:

-  2018-19 Leeds Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework and Better Lives Strategy

-  Public Health Population Indicators

The following were in attendance:

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

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

-  Cath Roff, Director, Adults and Health

-  Dr Ian Cameron, Director of Public Health, Adults and Health

-  Peter Storrie, Head of Service (Performance Management and Improvement), Resources and Housing

-  Steven Baker, Active Leeds Business Manager, City Development

The Director of Adults and Health introduced the headline performance issues, as detailed in the submitted report. While recognising positive performance across a number of areas, Members discussed a number of specific matters, including:

·  Direct care payments. Members queried the approach taken to address the decline in the proportion of people who receive direct care payments, and were informed of a number of initiatives in place to encourage sign-up, such as a pre-payment card designed to reduce the amount of administration for carers to complete. Other initiatives included providing a support service to assist in the recruitment of personal assistants; and a personal assistants workforce development strategy. Members were also advised that the Council supports personal preference, which for some is to continue with a Council-managed budget.

·  Delayed transfers of care. Members were informed that the delayed transfers of care from hospital indicator had been adapted to include mental health admissions, and that this was likely to have impacted the progress due to the challenging support needs of dementia patients. However, Members were assured that performance in acute delays across all admissions had improved.

·  Population indicators. The Board requested that comparisons with other cities be included in future reports for indicators measured by population.

·  Reablement and rehabilitation services. Members queried the decline in access to reablement and rehabilitation services, and were advised that the referral pathway into reablement was recently expanded, however this had resulted in a large proportion of unsuitable referrals causing inefficiency within the service.

·  Demand and workforce. Members were advised that demand and workforce remains a significant challenge, particularly for registered nurses in nursing homes.  The Director also reported general pressures attracting prospective employees into the health and care sector, suggesting a social care minimum wage (higher than the national minimum wage) could help make the sector a more attractive prospect. 

·  Male suicide rates. Members were advised of a greater proportion of male to female deaths in Leeds compared to national trends. Members sought detail around projects focused on male wellbeing and suicide prevention, and were informed of a number of community groups supported to provide peer support, as well as the Annual Suicide Audit, which is published and then discussed at a large scale event  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

To consider a report from the Head of Democratic Services that introduces information regarding the projected 2019/20 financial health position of those service areas that fall within the Board’s remit at Month 7 (October 2019).

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report that introduced information regarding the projected 2019/20 financial health position of those service areas that fall within the Board’s remit at Month 7 (October 2019).

The following were in attendance:

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

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

-  Cath Roff, Director, Adults and Health

-  Dr Ian Cameron, Director of Public Health, Adults and Health

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

-  John Crowther – Head of Finance, Resources and Housing

-  Steven Baker, Active Leeds Business Manager, City Development

The Director of Adults and Health introduced the report, highlighting some of the key messages and continued challenges for provision of social care.

The Board discussed aspects of the report and the Director of Adults and Health noted the Board’s request that future reports include a brief cover report providing more detail than currently outlined in the financial report; and also highlighting the key trends for the Adults and Health directorate.

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 the Executive Board’s initial budget proposals for 2020/21 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 2020/21 for consideration, review and comment on matters and proposals that fall within the Scrutiny Board’s remit.

The following were in attendance:

-  Councillor James Lewis, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Resources

-  Cath Roff, Director, Adults and Health

-  Dr Ian Cameron, Director of Public Health, Adults and Health

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

-  John Crowther, Head of Finance, Resources and Housing

-  Steven Baker, Active Leeds Business Manager, City Development

The Executive Member for Resources introduced the report, noting that the Adults and Health budget remains the largest for funding and staffing, with continued pressures and changes to services.

The Board requested that future reports should include a cover report summarising the key messages and more detailed proposals for the Adults and Health directorate within future initial budget proposal items.

Members discussed a number of matters, including:

·  Proposal to insource private hire provision. In response to a query, Members were advised that opportunities had arisen to provide some previously outsourced transport services more efficiently ‘in-house’, which may also provide a price stimulus within the local market. 

·  Public Health Grant. Members sought clarity regarding the value of the Public Health Grant, and what the additional funds would be allocated to. Members were advised that the detail of the grant had not yet been made available, however, it was predicted that a large proportion of the funding would be required to support NHS partners and therefore officers were not expecting a substantial uplift. It was also reported that the cost of particular drug treatments continued to rise; and the trend was anticipated to continue into the next financial year.  Any uplift in funding was likely to be allocated to cover any additional costs. The Board also discussed the Public Health Funding Targets identified when the Public Health function transferred to local authorities and the subsequent cuts to Public Health spending.  The Board requested confirmation of Leeds’ current position in this regard.

·  Clean Air Zone. Members sought clarity regarding the launch of the Clean Air Zone, and were informed that there had been a delay, due to technical difficulties with the government system formulated to check vehicles against the emissions criteria. Members were advised that the launch was anticipated for Summer 2020, at the earliest..

RESOLVED –

a)  That the 2020/21 budget proposals as presented be noted;

b)  That the Board’s comments are reflected as part of the Scrutiny submission to Executive Board for its consideration.

To consider a report from the Head of Democratic Services that introduces proposals to refresh the Best Council Plan for the period 2020/21 to 2024/25 and provides an opportunity for the Scrutiny Board to consider and comment on any specific aspects that fall within the Board’s remit.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report that introduced proposals to refresh the Best Council Plan for the period 2020/21 to 2024/25 and provided an opportunity for the Scrutiny Board to consider and comment on any specific aspects that fall within the Board’s remit.

The following were in attendance:

-  Councillor James Lewis, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Resources

-  Coral Main, Head of Business Planning and Risk, Resources and Housing

The Executive Member for Resources gave a brief introduction to the report and Best Council Plan refresh.

Members discussed a number of matters, including:

·  The Climate Emergency. Members noted their support for the inclusion of the climate emergency and embedding sustainability at the centre of the plan, but additionally requested that the carbon neutral ambition be added. Members were also advised that a review of the current corporate report template would be carried out to ensure that climate considerations are built into the decision making process from the outset.

·  Risks and opportunities. The Chair asked the potential risks for not reaching the ambitions set out, and was informed that finance remains a substantial risk, however Members were also advised of opportunities for growth and transformation due to the progress of the digital agenda within health and social care.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the Best Council Plan Refresh initial proposals be noted;

b)  That the Board’s comments are reflected as part of the Scrutiny submission to Executive Board for its consideration.

To consider a report from the Head of Democratic Services that introduces a range of information in relation to the future provision of mental health services for adults and older people in Wetherby; and the associated engagement and consultation activity undertaken. 

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report that introduced a range of information in relation to the future provision of mental health services for adults and older people in Wetherby; and the associated engagement and consultation activity undertaken.

The following were in attendance:

-  Kashif Ahmed, Head of Commissioning (Mental Health & Learning Disabilities), NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group

-  Naomi Lonergan, Director of Operations, Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust

-  Dr Tolu Olusoga, Consultant Psychiatrist, Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

The Director of Operations introduced the report, providing the background to the proposal anticipated to be implemented in Spring 2020, and an update following the recent engagement exercise undertaken with service users, including those from Wetherby and surrounding areas.

Members discussed a number of matters, including:

·  Enhanced community support. Members sought clarity around the plans for additional community support for service users in Wetherby, and specifically whether a recruitment exercise would be undertaken to provide an enhanced service. Members were advised that recruitment had begun, and that the Trust was mindful of the restrictions of the local geography as well as the continued challenges recruiting and retaining healthcare staff. The Head of Commissioning confirmed there would be continued investment in community services across the region.

·  Travel arrangements. Members requested more information on the support available to service users and their families in Wetherby to travel to and from inpatient facilities in York.  The Board was advised that a volunteer driver scheme was in the early stages of development.

The Board felt that this matter required continued monitoring over the next 12 to 18 months, and requested that following implementation, a comprehensive data-set for Wetherby and surrounding areas, including the number of admissions and patients length of stay, be included within future reports for consideration.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the details presented in the report and discussed at the meeting be noted;

b)  That a further report be submitted to the Board in Autumn 2020, providing an update on the implementation of the proposals and progress against the action plan presented to the Board.

Councillor G Latty left the meeting at 4:00 pm. 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 November 2019.

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

·  Reconfiguration proposals for maternity and neonatal services in Leeds 2019 and the opportunity for the Board to provide comment;

·  Potential reconfiguration of Assessment and Treatment Centres and associated development of community services across Barnsley and West Yorkshire.

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

To consider the Scrutiny Board’s work schedule for the 2018/19 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 proposed revisions to the work schedule.  The following matters identified during the pre-meeting were particularly highlighted: 

• An additional meeting to consider the Leeds Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report for 2019, and associated progress. 
• Initial consideration of the reconfiguration proposals for maternity and neonatal services in Leeds at the February 2020 meeting.
• Consideration of the public consultation outcomes associated with the reconfiguration proposals for maternity and neonatal services in Leeds at an additional meeting before the end of the current municipal year.

The Board also acknowledged potential changes to the work schedule as a result of its deliberations at the meeting.

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

Tuesday, 11 February 2020 at 1:30pm (pre-meeting for all members of the Scrutiny Board at 1:00pm). 

Tuesday, 11 February 2020 at 1:30pm (pre-meeting for all members of the Scrutiny Board at 1:00pm)