Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Moyies, J Gardner, M Marks, A Quinn, M Atkinson, S Dolling, G Halksworth and M Olsen.

(a) Cllr Mitchell – Minute 551 (A Better Start Southend (ABSS)) - A Better Start Southend (ABSS) is in partnership with Hamlet Court Road in Harmony Community Group – the Councillor is the Chair of this group;

(b) Cllr Salter - Minute  318 (Mental Health Urgent Care Department), Minute 317 (Developing the SEE Alliance Plan) and Minute 319 (Winter Plan / Actions) – Husband is a consultant surgeon at Southend Hospital; Daughter is a consultant at Basildon Hospital; Son-in-law is a GP in Southend-on-Sea;

The Chair welcomed Dr Taz Syed as the new Vice-Chair of the Board following Dr Jose Garcia Lobero’s departure. 

The Chair, on behalf of the Board, thanked Dr Jose Garcia for his significant contributions.

Minutes attached

Resolved:-

That the Minutes of the Meeting held on Wednesday, 7 September 2022, be confirmed as a correct record.

Report of the Director of Commissioning attached

The Board considered a report of the Director of Commissioning presenting the final draft of the Southend, Essex, and Thurrock (SET) Dementia Strategy 2022-2026, following consultation.  The Board also received a powerpoint presentation providing additional information.

The Board asked questions which were responded to by the Director of Commissioning.

Resolved:

That the SET Dementia Strategy 2022-2026, as set out in Appendix A to the submitted report, be endorsed and that it be noted that partner organisations may adopt the strategy via their own decision-making processes.

Report of Lead Commissioner (Older People) / BCF Lead to follow

The Board considered a report of the Lead Commissioner, Older People and Southend City Council BCF Lead, presenting a general overview of the potential winter pressures and the current winter planning situation.  The report also set out the proposed expenditure and suggested projects for the Social Care Discharge Fund 2022-23 that will be distributed through the Better Care Fund.

The Board noted the tight timescale for submission to the BCF for the Social Care Discharge Fund by 16^{th of} December 2022.

The Board also asked questions which were responded to by officers and representatives from Mid and South Essex.

Resolved:

That the final Adult Social Care Discharge Fund be delegated to the Chair for approval and submission by 15^{th of} December 2022. This is due to the submission date required by the Adult Social Care Discharge Fund, and the short time available to prepare a final plan.

Report from Director of Public Health

The Board considered a report of the Director of Public Health presenting a proposal for the development of a joint Drugs & Alcohol Steering board across Southend, Essex and Thurrock (SET) together with the benefits, risks and key challenges establishing a joint Board.

The Board asked questions which were responded to by the Director of Public health.

Resolved:

That the proposal to establish a joint Southend, Essex and Thurrock (SET) Drugs and Alcohol Steering Board, to be adopted as we move forward with the strategy, be approved.

Report of the Chair and Director of ABSS

The Board considered a joint report of the Director and Chair of ABSS presenting an update on the key developments since September 2022.

The Board asked questions which were responded to by the ABSS Director and Chair.

The Board congratulated the ABSS on their success winning two prestigious Children and Young People Now awards and commented on the excellent and invaluable work undertaken by ABSS.

Resolved:

1. That the content of the submitted report be noted.

2. That A Better Start Southend be congratulated and commended on their two prestigious Children and Young People Now awards, highlighting the power of partnership, community and a focus on system change early years work.

Presentation slides from SEE Alliance Director (to follow)

The Board received and considered a joint powerpoint presentation from the Alliance Director presenting an overview of the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Strategy concept paper and Alliance planning.

The Board asked questions which were responded to by the Alliance Director and Chief Officer, Healthwatch Southend.

Resolved:

That the Alliance Director and Chief Officer, Healthwatch Southend, be thanked for their informative and invaluable presentation and that further progress be presented to future meetings of the Board.

Presentation slides from Deputy Director Mental Health, MSE ICB to follow

The Board received and considered a powerpoint presentation presenting an overview of the development of the Mental Health Urgent Care Department at Basildon Hospital.  The presentation slides would be added to the agenda following the meeting.

The Board asked questions which were responded to by representatives from Mid and South Essex.

Resolved:

That the representatives from Mid and South Essex be thanked for their informative and valuable presentation.

Presentation slides from SEE Alliance Director (to follow)

The Board received and considered a powerpoint presentation from the Alliance Director setting out the work taking place to manage the potential winter pressures. 

The Board noted the range of programmes being delivered in partnership with a range of organisations and within primary care.  The Board also asked questions which were responded to by the Alliance Director.

Resolved:

That the Alliance Director be thanked for the informative and invaluable presentation.

Report of Director of Commissioning attached

The Board considered a joint report of the Director of Commissioning and Director of Public Health presenting an update on progress in implementing the requirements of the National Drug Strategy, ‘From Harm to Hope’, with particular regard to:

·       The development of Strategic Partnership arrangements and the introduction of a Southend Drug & Alcohol Executive Group

·       The delivery of a local joint strategic needs assessment to inform our understanding of need and gaps in service provision

·       Progress against the development of a local Drugs & Alcohol strategy

·       Progress against the proposals for the use of the Year 1 (2022/23) round of the Supplemental Substance Misuse Treatment & Recovery Grant (SSMTRG)

·       Progress against the proposals for the use of the latest round of funding for the Rough Sleeping Drug & Alcohol Treatment Grant (RSDATG)

The Board asked questions which were responded to by officers.

Resolved:

That the submitted report and the actions taken to date, be noted.

Report of Director of Public Health

The Board considered a report of the Director of Public Health presenting an update concerning the on-going management of the COVID-19 and wider Health Protection response.

The Board asked questions which were responded to by the Director of Public Health.   

Resolved:

That the on-going operations and steer of the Health Protection Board and the Oversight and Engagement Board, be noted.