Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mulroney (substitute: Cllr Hooper), C Panniker, S Dolling and A Khaldi.

(a) Councillor Hooper – Minute 648 (A Better Start Progress Update) – Non-pecuniary interest: has undertaken work for and on behalf of A Better Start Southend;

(b) Councillor T Harp - Minute 648 (A Better Start Progress Update) – Non-pecuniary interest: Friend employed by ‘A Better Start Southend’;

(c) O Richards - (Healthwatch Southend) - Minute 648 (A Better Start Progress Update) – Non-pecuniary interest: Employed by Family Action to run Healthwatch Southend, Family Action run children’s centres within the Borough;

(d) K Jackson (SAVS) - Minute 648 (A Better Start Progress Update) – Non-pecuniary interest: SAVS is a delivery partners for A Better Start Southend.

Resolved:-

That the Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday 8^th September 2020, be confirmed as a correct record and signed.

The Board considered a report from the Principal Democratic Services Officer setting out a proposal to transfer the management responsibility for the regulation, performance monitoring and commissioning of drug and alcohol treatment services/provision in the Borough from the Community Safety Partnership Board to the Health and Wellbeing Board.

The Board noted that a wider review of the Terms of Reference and membership was required to bring the Board up-to-date and ensure that it is fit-for-purpose (i.e. changes in the CCG and NHS England).

The Board also noted the concerns from Healthwatch regarding the potential conflict of interest and their ability to hold partners to account.  In response it was emphasised that the Board would not be directly involved in commissioning services and its role is to provide challenge and have oversight in terms of the delivery and performance of the commissioned services.

Resolved:

1. That the responsibility for the delivery and performance management of drug and alcohol treatment services be transferred from the Community Safety Partnership Board to the Health Wellbeing Board, with the effect date commencing at the next formal HWB meeting.

2. That the HWB Terms of Reference be reviewed to ensure they are fit-for-purpose and that the revised Terms of Reference be presented to the next Board meeting for approval and submission to Full Council.

Report from Director of Public Health attached

The Board considered a report of the Director of Public Health providing an update on the COVID-19 Local Outbreak Control Plan implementation of the national Test, Trace, Contain and Enable (TTCE) programme, which was a central part of the governments COVID-19 recovery strategy to manage the rate of reproduction and reduce the spread of infection through coordinated effort from local and national organisations, the voluntary sector and community partners, and the general public.

The Board was advised that Southend Hospital was seeing an increase in the number of people attending with COVID-19 symptoms which was putting significant pressure on respiratory and critical care services, particularly in the last 7 days.

1. That progress and the on-going implementation of the Local Outbreak Control Plan by the Local Health Protection Board and the Outbreak Control Oversight and Engagement Board, be noted.

2. That the current position with regard to COVID-19, be noted.

3. That the Board’s appreciation be extended to all staff, volunteers, communities, etc for their work and efforts pulling together in these most difficult circumstances.

Report from Director of Public Health attached

The Board considered a report presented by the Director of Public Health providing an update on the impact of the pandemic on access to the Sexual Health services in Southend and an overview of the progress with the procurement plan for a new service from April 2021.

The Board asked a number of questions relating to the procurement plan which were responded to by the Director. 

Resolved:

,

1. That it be noted that, despite the restrictions introduced to manage the spread of the coronavirus since March 2020, the providers of the Sexual Health services have adopted a successful approach in maintaining a high level of access to their services since April 2020.

2. That it be noted that the procurement of a new Sexual Health service was progressing, with a view that the new provider will be announced before Christmas 2020.

Report of Executive Director (Children and Public Health) attached

The Board considered a report presented by the Director of Education and Early Years, with regard to children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), setting out progress in key areas and the role of the Board in the strategic oversight and governance of SEND on an ongoing basis.

In response to questions concerning the Parent./Carer Forum the Director advised that the Department of Education determines who is awarded the Parent/Carer Forum and a decision was expected shortly.

The Board also discussed the status of the Lighthouse Centre and noted that a bi-monthly report is provided to the CCG Board.  It was also noted that there had been a number of concerns and complaints about the Centre and a planning workshop was being arranged before Christmas to look at some of the issues and address them in a positive way. 

Resolved:

1. That progress on leadership and governance, self-evaluation and areas of significant improvement, be noted.

2. That an update paper on the Lighthouse Centre be provided to the next meeting of the Board.

Verbal Report (no papers) and presentation to follow from system leads

The Board received a PowerPoint presentation providing an overview of the Winter Plan 2020/21 across the system (MSE HCP NHS and SBC Adult Social Care).  A copy of the presentation slides would be circulated following the meeting.

The Board asked a number of questions which were responded to by system leads from respective partners.  The Board commented that this was a very comprehensive winter plan across the system.

Resolved:

That the presentation/overview of the Winter Plan 2020/21 across the system, be noted.

Report from Independent Chair and Director, A Better Start attached

The Board considered a report presented by the Director of A Better Start Southend providing an update from the ABSS Chair on key developments since the last meeting of the Board.

The Board commented that it would be beneficial to arrange an informal workshop session to explore the legacy of the ABSS Strategy.

Resolved:

1. That the report be noted.

2. That an HWB workshop to review the ABSS Sustainability and Legacy Plan be arranged, prior to formal approval at a future HWB.

Report of Director of Public Health to be attached

The Board considered a report presented by the Director of Public Health providing an update on the development of the Livewell Southend Website..

Resolved:

That the report and the next steps set out in Section 4, be noted.

Presentation slides from Director of Housing Development attached

The Board received a PowerPoint presentation providing an overview of Key Worker Housing initiative in Southend.  The scheme was a way in which workers in certain eligible organisations can access local housing for a reduced outlay.

Resolved:

That the PowerPoint presentation be noted and that Key Worker Housing be a topic for in-depth discussion at a future informal Board workshop.

Report from Leisure Contracts and Development Manager attached

The Board considered a report presented by the Council’s Leisure Contracts and Development Manager providing an update on the recent progress made through working with Active Essex and both School Sports Partnerships, including the successes, challenges and future opportunities to promote physical and mental wellbeing following the consequential impact of the pandemic.

Resolved:

That the update report be noted, including the successes, challenges and future opportunities.

Paper from Interim Director of Commissioning to follow

This item was deferred.

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 would involve 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.

Confidential report from Programme Director Mid and South Essex to follow

The Board considered confidential papers presented by the Programme Director, Mid and South Essex providing an overview of the Integrated Care System (ICS) application.

The Board noted that a further report would be presented to the Board in February/March 2021 on progress.

Resolved:

1. That the letter of support be noted and that on behalf of the Health and Wellbeing Board the Chair, Councillor Harp, be the co-signatory on the ICS application.

2,. That the draft nature of the ICS application pack, be noted and that the Mid & South Essex Partnership Board will be approving the final pack at its meeting on 10 December 2020.