Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received form Councillors M Cook, M Greatorex, P Thurgood and J Wadrup.

The Chair welcomed the new members of the Committee.

RESOLVED that Councillor D Maycock be elected as Vice-Chair

(Moved by Councillor R Claymore and seconded by Councillor T Jay)

The Minutes of the meeting held on 29^th March 2022 were approved as a correct record.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive an update from the Assistant Director, Partnerships.

A link to the Housing Strategy on the Council’s website is set out below:

https://www.tamworth.gov.uk/sites/default/files/housing_docs/housing-strategy.pdf

The Chair proposed and the Committee supported the deferral of this item to the meeting scheduled for 12 July 2022 to facilitate the attendance by Officers.

The Chair shared with the Committee a draft letter from the Leader of the Council to the Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust (MPFT) regarding adult mental health services from the George Bryan Centre. 

The Committee discussed the expected recommendations being made by MPFT to its Board which were expected to be considered at its upcoming Board meeting regarding inpatient services in south east Staffordshire for adults and the impact on the George Bryan Centre.  The Committee supported the Chair drafting a letter, on its behalf, in support of the maintenance of inpatient adult mental health services from the George Bryan Centre.  It was noted that during the consultation events attended by some members there had been significant support from those involved in the consultations to the continuation of inpatient services at the George Bryan Centre as well as the improvement in community services.

(Update on responses to the Reports of the Health & Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee)

The Chair reported that at the 29 March 2022 meeting, the Committee had repeated their recommendation to Cabinet that it consider another location other than that of the Assembly Rooms for interim, front of house customer services as quickly as possible.  This recommendation was presented to Cabinet at 9^th April 2022 meeting where the Leader updated that he had authorised improved signage to the front of Marmion House to sign post to different routes to get in touch with the council including face to face.  Further as part of the Reset & Recovery Programme update consideration by Cabinet at that meeting, authority was delegated to keep under review and where necessary agree revised customer service and reception arrangements.

The Committee considered that it was important to understand the perceptions of the public in terms of accessing the council face to face as well.

(Discussion item)

None at this time.

(To receive the Digests from Staffordshire County Council’s Health and Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee and to receive an update)

The Committee had received as part of the agenda pack, three written update reports on matters discussed at the Staffordshire Health & Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee relating to meetings held on 15 March, 11 April and 30 May 2022.  County Councillor T Jay highlighted that at the last meeting there was a focus on the metrics on waiting times for elective procedures and the focus in that area to improve these metrics. The main reasons for the long wait times were as a result of workforce pressures. It was further reported that Ambulance wait time was discussed and this would be considered further at a later meeting of the Staffordshire Committee.

Councillor D Maycock updated the Committee on the Healthier Communities workshop which had been organised by Staffordshire County Council which had taken place on 21 June 2022.  Areas covered included the focus on health in every policy, how District and Borough Committees can input into the planning process and the role of the Local Plan and communications in terms of public health messaging, and the importance of partnership working with local charities and other organisations.

Please see the link to the Forward Plan:

http://democracy.tamworth.gov.uk/mgListPlans.aspx?RPId=120&RD=0&bcr=1

No further items were identified form the Forward Plan at this time.

To consider items for 2022/23 Health & Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee Work Plan

The Committee reviewed the existing work plan and the following areas were identified as possible areas of focus:

1. Community and in patient mental health pathways – invite relevant representatives for both community pathways and in patient pathways from Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust to attend. 
2. Attainment & Skills in Tamworth – a member working group was established which would report back to full committee.  To be tied in with young people’s experiences, College developments, engagement with local businesses, include apprenticeships and local education providers.
3. Housing strategy update which had been deferred from June meeting to be considered in July
4. CPR & defibrillator awareness and community engagement
5. Armed Forces Covenant

The Work Plan was updated as follows:

Health & Wellbeing Scrutiny Work Plan