Apologies for absence were received from Y Blucher, J Garcia, P D’orsi, P Scott, S Dolling and J Gardner.

The following declarations of interest were made:

Cllr Harp - Minute 775 (A Better Start Southend) – Non-pecuniary interest: family friend employed in senior role at ABSS.

There were no questions from the public at this meeting.

Discussion item (no papers)

The Board received on update on the stage two bid to the National Institute for Health Research to establish a Health Determinant Collaboration (HDRC) in Greater Essex and the approach being taken.

Resolved:

That a report setting out the progress and next steps to establish a HDRC in Greater Essex be considered by the Board in June 2022.

Power Point presentation slides to follow

The Board received a Power Point presentation which set out the impact and emerging findings from A Better Start Southend.  A copy of the presentation slides were circulated at the meeting.

The Board commented on a number of aspects of the findings noting some of the excellent work that has taken place to increase participation across the six ABSS wards and the positive impact and change in people’s lives.  This included but was not limited to a closing of the gap between ABSS wards and the rest of Southend on measures around communication and emotional development, speech and language referrals showing better quality of service, and the increase in the proportion of infants totally or partially breastfed at 6-8 weeks.

The Board also asked questions which were responded to by representatives from ABSS.  In response to a specific question concerning spend analysis the Board noted that this formed a significant part of the national and local evaluation.

Resolved:

That ABSS colleagues and representatives be thanked for an informative and valuable presentation, noting the significant improvement in participation and the positive impact on the lives of people in the six ABSS wards.

Report of 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 Management Plan implementation and the on-going management of the pandemic following the removal of COVID-related restrictions from the 24^th February 2022.

Resolved:

1. That the proposed ending of all COVID-related restrictions on the 24^th February 2022, be noted.  The Southend’s Local Outbreak Management Plan will be reviewed and updated by the Local Health Protection Board, when national guidance has been published.

2. That it be noted that the Health Protection Board and the Outbreak Control Oversight and Engagement Board will continue to meet monthly to support the ongoing management of the pandemic-related activity.

Joint report of the Director of Commissioning and Director of Public Health attached

The Board considered a joint report of the Director of Commissioning and Director of Public Health presenting the new National Drug Strategy, ‘From Harm to Hope’ and the implications for drug and alcohol treatment and commissioning in Southend.

The Board asked several questions which were responded to by officers and commented on the complexity of the new Strategy.

Resolved:

1. That it be noted that a range of stakeholder engagement sessions will be arranged to option appraise and make recommendations on establishing the local strategic partnership governance and the outline accountability and responsibilities.  The recommendations will be presented to the Health and Wellbeing Board and the Community Safety Partnership Board.

2. That it be noted that future drug and alcohol treatment and recovery system decisions will be evidence-based and ratified through the new strategic partnership board, as well as recommendations on future grant allocation on sustainability of the drug and alcohol treatment and recovery system.