Meeting documents

People Scrutiny Committee
Tuesday, 9th July, 2013 6.30 pm

Place:
Civic Suite, Civic Centre, Southend-on-Sea
 

Attendance Details

ItemDescriptionResolution
Part I
131 Apologies and substitutions.
 Apologies for absence were received from J Fisher (observer) and V Copeland (co-opted member).
132 Declarations of interest.
 The following interests were declared at the meeting:

(a) Councillors Courtenay and Salter - interest in the pre-Cabinet scrutiny/referred/called-in items; attended pursuant to the dispensation agreed at Council on 19th June 2012, under S.33 of the Localism Act 2011;
(b) Ms A Clarke - agenda items relating to - outcome of the consultation on the SEN Strategy; in depth scrutiny report on Looked After Children - non-pecuniary - child with SEN attends St Christopher's School; have LAC in placement; Carers Forum commission services;
(c) Councillor Crystall - agenda item relating to Changes to Local Pathology Services - non-pecuniary - Council appointed Governor of Southend University NHS Foundation Trust at the Hospital;
(e) Councillor Lewin - agenda item relating to Changes to Local Pathology Services - non-pecuniary - Council appointed Governor of Southend University NHS Foundation Trust at the Hospital; has friends who work in pathology department;
(f) Councillor Robertson - agenda item relating to Review of Learning Disability Day Services in Southend - non-pecuniary - Non-Executive Director of Affinity Trust;
(g) Councillor Salter - agenda items relating to - Changes to Local Pathology Services; Chairman's update - non-pecuniary - husband is Consultant Vascular Surgeon and Business Unit Director for Surgical Services Southend Hospital; Chair of Health & Wellbeing Board;
(h) Councillor Kaye - agenda item relating to Chairman's update - non-pecuniary - Mental Health Act Manager SEPT, Chairman for Hearings; observer on Health & Wellbeing Board;
(i) Councillor Dr Velmurugan - agenda item relating to Changes to Local Pathology Services - non-pecuniary - GP and Council appointed Governor of Southend University NHS Foundation Trust at the Hospital;
(j) Councillor Woodley - agenda item relating to Schools Progress report - non-pecuniary - Governor at Thorpe Greenways School;
(k) Councillor A J Jones - agenda item relating to Review of Learning Disability Day Services in Southend - non-pecuniary - Airport mentioned, and Company represents LSA;
(l) Councillor Longley - agenda item relating to Children's Centre Provision - non-pecuniary - Governor at Southchurch Adult Education Centre;
(m) Mr Rickett - agenda item relating to Charging for Adult Social Care Services - non-pecuniary - Manager of a local Nursing / Care Agency.
133 Questions from Members of the Public.
 There were no questions from members of the public.
134 Charging for Adult Social Care Services
Business for item 134
Resolved:-

That the draft report be noted and endorsed for submission to Cabinet for consideration at its meeting on 17th September 2013, with the inclusion of information about current income, potential income and actual costs.

Note:- This is an Executive Function.
Executive Councillor:- Salter.
135 Monthly Performance Report - April 2013
Business for item 135
Resolved:-

That the report be noted.

Note:- This is an Executive function.
Executive Councillor:- As appropriate to the item.
136 Item called in from The Cabinet minutes of Tuesday, 18th June, 2013.
 
Corporate Plan and Annual Report - 2013
Scrutiny Comment for item 136
Business for item 136
Resolved:-

That the following recommendation of Cabinet be noted:

"That the Council's Corporate Plan and Annual Report 2012, as set out in Appendix 1 of the submitted report, be approved and that the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, be authorised to determine any final changes to the document prior to publication."

Note:- This is a Council Function.
Executive Councillor:- Holdcroft.
137 Item called in from The Cabinet minutes of Tuesday, 18th June, 2013.
 
Southend Children and Young People's Plan 2013-2014
Scrutiny Comment for item 137
Business for item 137
Resolved:-

That the following recommendation of Cabinet be noted:

"That the 2013-14 Children and Young People's Plan, be approved."

Note:- This is a Council Function.
Executive Councillor:- Courtenay
138 Item called in from The Cabinet minutes of Tuesday, 18th June, 2013.
 
Redesign of Children's Centre Provision
Scrutiny Comment for item 138
Business for item 138
Resolved:-

That the matter be referred back to Cabinet for reconsideration.

Note:- This is an Executive Function.
Executive Councillor:- Courtenay.
139 Item called in from The Cabinet minutes of Tuesday, 18th June, 2013.
 
Outcome of the Consultation on the Special Educational Needs Strategy
Scrutiny Comment for item 139
Business for item 139
Resolved:

That the following decision of Cabinet be noted:

"That Southend-on-Sea's strategy for children and young people aged 0-25 with special educational needs and/or disabilities, be approved."

Note:- This is an Executive Function.
Executive Councillor:- Courtenay.
140 Item called in from The Cabinet minutes of Tuesday, 18th June, 2013.
 
Outcome of the Independent Evaluation of the Learning Disabilities Pilot Hub and Spoke Model
Scrutiny Comment for item 140
Business for item 140
Resolved:

That the following decisions of Cabinet be noted:

"1. That the findings of the evaluation should be the subject of formal consultation with all of the existing service users and their families.

2. That a further report be submitted to Members following completion of the consultations on potential options for day Services for people with Learning Disabilities."

Note:- This is an Executive Function.
Executive Councillor:- Salter
141 East of England Ambulance Service
Business for item 141
Resolved:-

The Committee thanked Mr Morgan and colleagues for attending the meeting and for answering Members questions.

Note:- This is a Scrutiny Function.
142 Changes to local pathology Services
Business for item 142
Resolved:

That the position be noted. The decision of the CCG's will be circulated to Members when it is available.

Note: This is a Scrutiny Function.
143 In-depth Scrutiny Final Report and Recommendations - Maximising Opportunities for Looked After Children So They Do Not Become NEET Statistics
Business for item 143
Resolved:

1. That the report and the recommendations from the in depth scrutiny project attached at Appendix 1 to the Report be agreed.
2. That the Chairman of the Project Team be authorised to agree any final minor/typographical changes to the draft report that may be necessary.
3. That in accordance with Scrutiny Procedure Rule 10 (Part 4 (e) of the Constitution), the Chairman of the Project Team present the final report to a future Cabinet meeting.

Note: This is a Scrutiny Function.
144 Chairman's Update
Business for item 144
Resolved:

1. That the Report and actions taken be noted.
2. That the Scrutiny Committee Work Plan for 2013 / 14 attached at Appendix 1 to the Report be agreed.
3. That the Briefing Paper on Health, Public Health and Scrutiny at Appendix 2 to the Report be endorsed.
4. That the draft Working Protocols between the People Scrutiny Committee and Southend Clinical Commissioning Group and the People Scrutiny Committee and Healthwatch Southend attached at Appendices 3 and 4 to the Report be agreed.
5. To note there is a special meeting of the Scrutiny Committee on 2nd September 2013 @ 18.30 and will include consideration of the Essex Stroke Review consultation.

Note: This is a Scrutiny Function.
145 Suggested in depth Scrutiny projects - 2013 / 14
Business for item 145
Resolved:

1. That the in-depth scrutiny project for 2013/14 be - Southend primary schools' falling grammar school entry figures.
2. To note that the following Members have been appointed to the Panel, which will manage the in depth project - Councillor Kaye (Chairman), Councillor Flewitt (Vice Chairman), Councillors Betson, Carr, Dr Caunce, Chalk, Grimwade, Hadley and A P Jones.
3. To note the information attached at Appendix 3 to the Report, the summary of work of the 3 Scrutiny Committees during 2012 / 2013.

Note: This is a Scrutiny Function.
146 Exclusion of the Public.
 Resolved:

That, under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the items of business set out below on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act, and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
Part II(Confidential)
147 Schools Progress Report
  • (Attachment: 37)Report of Corporate Director for People
Business for item 147
Resolved:

That the report be noted.

Note:- This is an Executive Function.
Executive Councillor:- Courtenay.
18.30/22.15

Attendance Details

Present:
Councillor Kaye (Chairman), Councillor Flewitt (Vice-Chairman), Councillors Betson, Carr, Dr Caunce, Chalk, Crystall, Day, Grimwade, Hadley, A J Jones, A P Jones, Morgan, Norman, Robertson, Walker and Woodley

Dr Barnard, Mr Copeland, Mr Rickett, Ms Semmence, Mr Keay, Ms Clarke (co-opted members) and M Sylvester (observer)
In attendance:
Councillors Courtenay and Salter (Executive Councillors)
Councillors Gilbert, Lewin, Longley and Dr Velmurugan
R Tinlin, J K Williams, F Abbott, S Leftley, Dr Atherton (save for item 12), S Hadley, J Theadom and S Baker
Also present:
A Morgan, R Ashford, D Meeds and M Titcombe (East of England Ambulance Service), Dr Husselbee and M Craig (NHS Southend CCG)

Scrutiny Comment

ItemComment
136 Called in by Councillors G Longley and P Collins.
Final call on 25/06/2013 at 11:28
Resolved:-

That the following recommendation of Cabinet be noted:

"That the Council's Corporate Plan and Annual Report 2012, as set out in Appendix 1 of the submitted report, be approved and that the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, be authorised to determine any final changes to the document prior to publication."

Note:- This is a Council Function.
Executive Councillor:- Holdcroft.
137 Called in by Councillors I D Gilbert and M L Borton.
Final call on 25/06/2013 at 10:57
Supported by M Stafford, M Assenheim, M Terry
Resolved:-

That the following recommendation of Cabinet be noted:

"That the 2013-14 Children and Young People's Plan, be approved."

Note:- This is a Council Function.
Executive Councillor:- Courtenay
138 Called in by Councillors I D Gilbert and M L Borton.
Final call on 25/06/2013 at 10:57
Supported by G Longley, P Collins, M Stafford, M Assenheim, M Terry
Resolved:-

That the matter be referred back to Cabinet for reconsideration.

Note:- This is an Executive Function.
Executive Councillor:- Courtenay.
139 Called in by Councillors I D Gilbert and M L Borton.
Final call on 25/06/2013 at 10:57
Resolved:

That the following decision of Cabinet be noted:

"That Southend-on-Sea's strategy for children and young people aged 0-25 with special educational needs and/or disabilities, be approved."

Note:- This is an Executive Function.
Executive Councillor:- Courtenay.
140 Called in by Councillors G Longley and P Collins.
Final call on 25/06/2013 at 11:29
Supported by M Stafford, M Assenheim, M Terry
Resolved:

That the following decisions of Cabinet be noted:

"1. That the findings of the evaluation should be the subject of formal consultation with all of the existing service users and their families.

2. That a further report be submitted to Members following completion of the consultations on potential options for day Services for people with Learning Disabilities."

Note:- This is an Executive Function.
Executive Councillor:- Salter

Business

ItemBusiness
134(This is a pre Cabinet Scrutiny item).

The Committee considered a report by the Corporate Director for People by way of pre Cabinet Scrutiny. This set out options for reviewing the existing charges that apply for some adult care services. Councils can only charge for adult social care services in accordance with national guidelines set down by the Department of Health.

The Committee discussed the report in detail and the options available to increase income from charging and the proposed statutory consultation on the options.
135The Committee considered Minute 34 of Cabinet held on 18th June, 2013, together with the Monthly Performance Report (MPR) covering the period to the end of April 2013, and the Exceptions Report which had been circulated on 5th July 2013.
136The Committee considered Minute 36 of Cabinet held on 18th June, 2013 which had been called in to all 3 Scrutiny Committees, together with the report of the Chief Executive & Town Clerk which presented the Council's Corporate Plan and Annual Report for 2013.

Members had received an amended copy of the Plan, highlighting the minor changes which have been made since the Cabinet meeting.
137The Committee considered Minute 44 of Cabinet held on 18th June, 2013 which had been called in to Scrutiny, together with the Report of the Corporate Director for People requesting that consideration be given to the 2013-14 Children and Young People's Plan (CYPP).

In response to questions, the Council's Head of Children's Services said that she would circulate information about the take up of free school meals by Southend children.
138The Committee considered Minute 48 of Cabinet held on 18th June, 2013 which had been called in to Scrutiny, together with the Report of the Corporate Director for People. This presented the outcome of the public consultation on the proposed redesign of Children's Centre provision and put forward recommendations on the next stage of the Children's Centre redesign.

The Council's Head of Children's Services advised that a further consultation has now been launched relating to the proposals for Temple Sutton and Hamstel Children's Centres. A special meeting of the Scrutiny Committee has been arranged for 2nd September 2013 to update Members on the responses received.
139The Committee considered Minute 49 of Cabinet held on 18th June, 2013 which had been called in to Scrutiny, together with the Report of the Corporate Director for People. This outlined the outcome of the consultation on the Special Educational Needs Strategy for the Borough for 2013-2016 "Early Help, Partnership, Choice and Ambition" Southend-on-Sea's Strategy for children aged 0-25 with special education needs and/or disabilities.
140The Committee considered Minute 50 of Cabinet held on 18th June, 2013 which had been called in to Scrutiny, together with the Report of the Corporate Director for People informing Members of the outcome of the independent evaluation of the ‘hub' pilot completed by Adler, a specialist consultancy agency for Adults with Learning Disabilities.
141The Committee welcomed Mr Andrew Morgan, interim Chief Executive, East of England Ambulance Service to the meeting. Mr Ashford, sector lead for Essex, Mr Meeds, General Manager, south Essex area and Mr Titcombe were also in attendance at the meeting.

The Trust had been invited to the meeting to outline the service in the new health and care system; pressures; level of service locally; improvements in service to patients; and also to respond to questions around - public confidence in the Trust; ambulance turnaround times at Southend Hospital; main constraints on the service in the next few months.

Mr Morgan provided the following information and responded to questions:
• a comprehensive overview of the organisation, a blue light service covering the 6 counties in the East of England region;
• pressures on the service, including - the need for more ambulances, population / demographics, increasing activity, the need to recruit more paramedics and the need to make efficiencies. Ambulances sometimes get ‘stuck' at the hospital which is frustrating for patients and staff;
• key issues in the Turnaround Plan - leadership, clinical service delivery, system and processes etc
• level of the service locally - measured across the region and can be broken down locally at CCG level - Southend has the best sets of performance figures in Trust and appropriate admissions / right pathway of care;
• the new interim Chair is seeking to recruit new non-Executive Directors;
• he is aiming to put money back onto frontline services and making the organisation fit for purpose; key driver for the organisation is to get vehicles on the road. Challenge to organisation to find £20m - which will give the Trust 30 additional 24 / 7 ambulances across the region.
142Further to Minute 930 of the meeting of the former Community Services & Culture Scrutiny Committee held on 9th April 2013, the Committee welcomed Dr Paul Husselbee (Accountable Officer for Southend CCG and Co Chair of the Transforming Pathology Services Project Board) and Melanie Craig, Chief Operating Southend CCG, who provided an update on the proposals regarding changes to local pathology services. The CCG inherited this regional initiative which had started a procurement process in 2011 to create pathology hubs across Midlands and East region.

Ms Craig advised that no formal decision has yet been made. The governing bodies of the 4 CCG's in south Essex believe that it is unlikely that the bid will satisfy their requirements and will need to consider the prospect of not proceeding with Consolidated Pathology Services (CPS), the preferred bidder. There needs to be a consensus across the 4 CCG's and it is likely the formal decision will be taken in the next week or so.
143The Committee considered a report by the Corporate Director for Corporate Services seeking formal approval to the draft report of the scrutiny project on "Maximising opportunities for looked after children so they do not become NEET statistics". This project had been undertaken by the former Children & Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee.
144The Committee considered a report by the Corporate Director for Corporate Services which updated Members on some health scrutiny matters and other matters, as follows:

(a) Information on the remit of the People Scrutiny Committee - as set out in paragraph 3.1 - 3.2 of the report - noted;
(b) Scrutiny Committee work plan 2013 / 14 - information set out in paragraph 3.3 and at Appendix 1 - agreed;
(c) Introduction to health scrutiny and briefing paper - information set out in paragraph 4.3 and at Appendix 2 - endorsed;
(d) Draft Working Protocols between People Scrutiny Committee and Southend Clinical Commissioning Group and the People Scrutiny Committee and Healthwatch Southend - information set out in paragraph 3.5 and at Appendices 3 and 4 - agreed;
(e) Information on regional workshop, SEPT and Hospital Trust Quality Accounts 2012 / 13, joint working with Essex and Thurrock Scrutiny Committees - set out in paragraph 4 of the report - noted;
(f) Information was noted about the proposed building works at the GP surgery at 335 Eastwood Road North (due to commence on 15th July 2013) and the detailed actions which will be taken during the time the surgery will be closed, to try to mitigate impact on patients. Following consultation with the Chairman and Vice Chairman, Health has been advised that all reasonable steps have been undertaken and that it is absolutely vital that the telephone system is adequately and professionally addressed. A Ward Councillor had concerns about access for vulnerable / elderly patients, however this point has been addressed by the practice as it will be offering services for the elderly from the pharmacy, situated next to the existing surgery.
145The Committee report by the Corporate Director for Corporate Services concerning the possible in depth scrutiny projects to be undertaken by the Scrutiny Committee in 2013/14. The report also attached some information about the work carried out by the Scrutiny Committees in the 2012 / 13 Municipal Year.
147The Committee received a report of the Corporate Director for People which provided an update on schools progress, recent Ofsted Inspections and Monitoring Visits.

In response to a question, the Council's Head of Learning agreed that future reports would include the relevant Ofsted Inspection reports as an Appendix.

 

Navigation:

Get the best from this site

We use simple text files called 'cookies'. Some of these cookies are essential to make our site work and others help us to improve by giving us some insight into how the site is being used. For more information, including how to turn cookies off, see more about cookies - or simply click the Continue button to use this site as normal.