(a)       Chair’s Introduction

Prior to the consideration of the matters set out in the agenda, the Chair outlined their expectations of the standard of conduct and behaviour to be shown at the meeting.

(b)       Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor O Cartey (Substitute: Councillor T Cox) and M Marks (Executive Director for Children and Public Health).

The following interests were declared at the meeting:

(a)       Councillor M Faulkner-Hatt – Minute No. 7 (Annual Public Health Report 2023-24) – parent is a Health Visitor.  

(b)       Councillor J Harland – Minute No. 7 (Annual Public Health Report 2023-24) – family member is employed at Southend Hospital.

(c)       Councillor L Salter – Minute No. 7 (Annual Public Health Report 2023-24) – Husband is a consultant surgeon at Southend Hospital; Daughter is a consultant at Basildon Hospital; Son-in-law is a general practitioner in Southend-on-Sea.

(d)       Councillor S Habermel – Minute No. 7 (Annual Public Health Report 2023-24) – sister and nephew employed at Southend Hospital.  

(e)       Councillor C Nevin – Minute No. 7 (Annual Public Health Report 2023-24) – employed at external National Health Service Trust; family members employed at Mid and South Essex Trust hospitals.

There were no questions from members of the public relating to the responsibilities of the Committee.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on Wednesday 14^th February 2024 be confirmed as a correct record and signed.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the reconvened meeting of the Committee held on Tuesday 27^th February 2024 (adjourned from 14^th February 2024) be confirmed as a correct record and signed.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the special meeting of the Committee held on Tuesday 12^th March 2024 be confirmed as a correct record and signed.

The Committee received a report from the Director of Public Health, by way of pre-Cabinet Scrutiny, that provided an update on the actions and progress made against each of the recommendations from last year’s Annual Report.

The Committee discussed the report in some detail and asked questions that were responded to by the Cabinet Member for Social Care and Healthier Communities and the Director of Public Health, these included:

·         The low uptake on vaccinations for those with learning disabilities, the reasons behind this and strategies employed to increase uptake which included the “Passport for Health”.

·         The vaccination programme for adults deemed as vulnerable.

·         The work of the Dent Aid bus, it was reported this was still in the pilot phase but was being extended so that 2 full years of data would be obtained. The Dent Aid bus had been deployed to 2 local schools.

·         The plans to shorten waiting times for long-lasting reversible contraceptives.

·         Opportunities to strengthen co-production between parents and carers.

·         Workplace health.

·         Women’s health and screening, closing the gap in cardiology rates.

·         The Southend smoking cessation and action plan, the progress made against this, in terms of adult smoking moving to vaping and reducing the use of vapes among children and young people.

·         Lower cancer screening rates in areas of deprivation and the work that was being undertaken to tackle this.

·         The impact and legacy of the ‘A Better Start Southend’ (ABSS) programme and timescales for reporting.

·         Oral health for children and the number of dentists accepting new patients.

·         The number of practises that had completed LGBT accredited training and to tighten the narrative and typographical areas in future reporting.

The Director of Public Health advised that a written response would be provided outside of the meeting to a question regarding the number of transgender parents in Southeast Essex.

Resolved:

That, subject to the comments of the Scrutiny Committee outlined above, the report to Cabinet be noted.

Note: This is an Executive function

Cabinet Member: Councillor M Sadza, (Cabinet Member for Social Care and Healthier Communities)