Agenda and minutes

To receive declarations of interest from Members on items included on this agenda.

There were no declarations of interest stated.

To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 6 January 2016

Agreed:                     That the minutes of the meeting held on 6 January 2016 be agreed as a correct record.

Agreed:         That the minutes of the Health Staffordshire Select Committee Meeting held on 6 June 2016 be noted.

Agreed:         That Councillors Bailey, Northcott and Wright be nominated to represent the Borough Council at the Staffordshire County Council Joint Scrutiny Accountability Sessions. Councillor Gardner would attend the North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust meeting on Monday 5 September 2016.

It was apparent that a number of items had not received attention including a report on the level of swimming provision for Key Stage 2 primary school children within the Borough.

The Chair considered that the Scrutiny Committee should set out the areas of priority for inclusion within the work programme.  He added that it was opportune for the Committee to scrutinise at the point when a service was under review as this would enable members to contribute to policy.  Continuing the Chair suggested the following areas be included within the work programme:-

Elderly Care

Dementia services

Obesity

Children and Families

With respect to dementia care it was agreed that the experience of service users would be included in the study. Councillor Spence commented, that within the Silverdale area, work was ongoing to achieve Dementia Friendly status.

Following on from a suggestion from Councillor Gardner that the Borough sign up to the Mental Health Challenge it was agreed that this suggestion be explored and a report submitted to this Committee for consideration. 

On a separate issue Councillor Hailstones asked that any presentation or report be forwarded to members in advance of the meeting to allow for members to read and digest the information and therefore be in a good position to ask questions.

Councillor Sweeney, as Chair of the Fire Authority, reported that the Fire and Rescue Service was keen to look at work areas of synergy with the Ambulance Trust.  Accordingly the Chair suggested the “blue light” services be invited to attend a future meeting.

Councillor Gardner referred to the GP referral service and to the activities provided at Jubliee2 to meet the needs of those referred.  It was suggested that this Committee examine the take up of the service and how well such needs were being met; barriers to the take up of the service such as travelling distance and waiting times to be included in the study. 

Agreed:         That the Scrutiny Officer draw up a meeting schedule to reflect the issues requested by members, beginning with an examination of the dementia topic in October.

Any member of the public wishing to submit a question must serve two clear days’ notice, in writing, of any such question to the Borough Council.

There were no members of the public present at the meeting.

There were no items of urgent business.