MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES, HOUSING AND BENEFITS SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON TUESDAY, 8 JULY 2003 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM
Present :
Mr I R Stephens (Chairman), Mr J R Adams Mr A C Bartlett, Mrs B D Clough, Mr J F Howe, Mr R G Mazillius, Mr V J Morey, Mr D G Williams
Portfolio Holder :
Mr G S Kendall
Apologies :
Mr C R Hancock
Also present (non voting) :
Mrs S A Smart, Mr R A Sutton
20. MINUTES
RESOLVED :
THAT, subject to Minute 12 regarding Mr Page’s question being amended to read “The Strategic Director would provide a written reply within a 4 week period”, the Minutes of the meeting held on the 12 June 2003 be confirmed.
21. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Mrs Williams asked a question in relation to the Diabetes Services (PQ 28/03)
Mrs Swan asked a question in relation to Factitious or Induced Illnesses in Children (PQ 29/03)
A copy of the questions and replies given are contained in the Public Question Register.
22. HEALTHFIT PRESENTATION
The Chairman welcomed Mr Mark Price, Director of Strategic Development for both the Primary Care Trust and the Isle of Wight NHS Health care Trust, Mr Richard Samuel, Assistant Chief Executive for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic Health Authority and a number of Key Stakeholders who had been invited to attend the meeting.
The Select Committee received a presentation from Mr Price which provided both members and stakeholders with an update on the progress of developing a Healthcare Strategy for the Island.
During the presentation Mr Price outlined the drivers for change to services and emphasised the importance of challenging the biggest hospitals. This new process was about “Keeping the NHS Local” and therefore we could redesign not only relocate. He also advised the Committee of the Healthfit timetable which indicated that formal consultation would take place from November to January 2003 with phased implementation commencing from April 2004. Workshops had taken place on the 15 April 2003 which had included relevant interested parties and local people.
Currently six main services had been identified for possible change, including :
Emergency Care
Surgery
Maternity
Children
Mental Health
Older People
Public and Patient Involvement within the development of the local strategy was considered to be an important role. The draft strategic options would be debated in August/September 2003 and would be considered by the Full Council meeting in September 2003. The PCT and Trust Boards approval would be sought in October 2003.
Mr Richard Samuels outlined the Strategic Health Authorities role in the Healthfit and gave a regional context to the issue. Mr Samuels congratulated the Island on its pro-active approach and for the strong lead it had taken in terms of strategic planning.
During discussion members raised concern regarding the cost of patients travelling to the mainland to receive treatment. It was suggested that negotiations take place with the Islands travel operators to consider making provision for subsidised travel to the mainland.
The Select Committee after considering the comments of all the Key Stakeholders highlighted several points that could be progressed. It was suggested that transport from the ferry terminals be included in the discussion for transport arrangements, furthermore, it was suggested that Mr Price liaise with the voluntary sector who already had expertise regarding this issue. Both Carers and St John Ambulance asked that they be included in the consultation process.
RESOLVED :
THAT in considering the Healthfit Programme the Select Committee ask the Strategic Health Authority, Primary Care Trust and NHS Trust take into account the following :
* Ensure that the interests of the patients was placed at the centre of the decision making process
* Ensure that the public was fully engaged
* Examine ways to tackle the problems of costs for patients when crossing the Solent
* Bring back the draft report to this Committee in September 2003
23. HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE AGENDA
The Select Committee received the report of the Strategic Director of Social Services and Housing which set out the Statement of Intent from the Isle of Wight Council, the Isle of Wight Primary Care Trust and the Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Trust. The Statement signified a strong commitment from all three authorities to partnership working. Currently this had been endorsed by the full Council and it was anticipated it would be endorsed by respective Boards of the PCT and the Acute Trust.
The Committee considered that more detail was needed to enable members to debate it fully. It was noted that it was early stages of development and the full implications were not yet fully known.
RESOLVED :
THAT the Strategic Director of Social Services produce a Project Plan to form the basis of a meeting between the NHS Trust, PCT Trust and Select Committee to take place within 3 months.
24. ARRANGEMENTS FOR RESPONDING TO THE HAMPSHIRE AND ISLE OF WIGHT HEALTH AUTHORITY ON HEALTHFIT
Members views were sought on the establishment of a joint Committee with the other three Unitary Authorities. With the development of the Healthfit Programme there was a need to consider changes in a regional context. It was intended that the joint Committee would consider Healthfit and scrutinise its implications and consequences for health services on the Island and Hampshire. It had been suggested that the composition of the Committee be as follows:
3 Hampshire County Council
1 Isle of Wight Council
1 Portsmouth City Council
1 Southampton City Council
RESOLVED :
THAT the Council appoint two members to the Joint Committee.
25. HOMELESSNESS STRATEGY
Consideration was given to the Homelessness Strategy which informed members of the new strategic approach to homlessness on the Island. The Development of the Strategy had been a requirement of the Homeless Act 2002.
It was raised that there was 1200 second homes on the Island which presented a significant problem to the Islands potential housing stock. Members were assured that the Directorate was working with the Planning Department to improve the yield of affordable housing and to ensure that the designs best suited the Islands needs.
The Select Committee congratulated Officers on the well presented, comprehensive strategy.
RESOLVED :
THAT the Select Committee support the Homelessness Strategy and would continue to monitor its effectiveness.
26. BUDGET MONITORING AS AT END OF MAY 2003
Members received the report of the Head of Policy, Performance and Resources which set out the budget and spending position on both capital and revenue for the services within the Committees remit as at the end of May 2003.
The Committee noted the outturn position for the Directorate for 2002/03 had been in line with the total budget. As members were aware a significant budget pressure had been the administration of the Supporting People Programme, a directive from the Government. The Committee had previously raised concerns regarding the financing of CCTV from the Directorates budget, this would now be financed by a central reserve.
Thanks were given to both the Select Committee and Officers for the successful management of the budget for 2002/03.
RESOLVED :
THAT the report be noted.
27. HOMELESSNESS MONITORING AND NOMINATION STATISTICS
The Head of Housing Services presented the statistics for May 2003. It was noted that the figures were in line with expected trends, in particular the number of applicants had increased as expected due to the change in season. The number of Households with families in Bed and Breakfast had increased although it was expected that this would decrease in the near future.
RESOLVED :
THAT the Committee received the Homelessness Monitoring and Nomination Statistics report on a quarterly basis with a caveat to allow the Head of Housing Services to report to the Committee any significant pressures that may arise.
28. MEMBERS QUESTION TIME
Mr R Mazillius asked a question in relation to the response to the Climbie report. The appropriate reply was given.
CHAIRMAN