Further to legal advice given to Members by the Acting Director of Law, HR and Asset Management regarding the issue of filming Committee Meetings. The Chair indicated that this issue was currently under review and sought views from Members as to whether to allow filming of the meeting.

On a motion by Councillor Simon Mountney and duly seconded it was:

Resolved - That members of the public be refrained from filming at the committee meeting.

Members of the Committee are asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non pecuniary interests, in connection with any items on the agenda and state the nature of the interest.

Members are reminded that they should also declare, pursuant to paragraph 18 of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, whether they are subject to a party whip in connection with any item(s) to be considered and, if so, to declare it and state the nature of the whipping arrangement.

Members of the Committee were asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary or non pecuniary interests, in connection with any item(s) on the agenda and state the nature of the interest.

Members were reminded that they should also declare, pursuant to paragraph 18 of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, whether they were subject to a party whip in connection with any item(s) to be considered and, if so, to declare it and state the nature of the whipping arrangement.

Councillor Hornby declared a personal interest in the all agenda items by virtue of his appointment as a trustee/Director of Voluntary and Community Action Wirral.

Councillor Roberts declared a personal interest in all the agenda items by virtue of her appointment on the Management Committees of Arch Initiatives and Wirral Council for Voluntary Service.

Councillor Mooney declared a personal interest in Item 6 – Developments in Dementia Care by virtue of her work with Age UK.

To receive the minutes of the Health and Well Being Overview and Scrutiny Committees held on 5 November 2012 and 4 December 2012.

Members were requested to receive the minutes of the meetings of the Health and Well Being Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 5 November, 2012 and 4 December 2012.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meetings of 5 November, 2012 and 4 December 2012 be approved as a correct record.

The Chair indicated that prior to consideration of Item 3 – Budget 2013/16 – Initial Proposals, he had agreed for Brenda Hall from Unison to address Members.

The Committee received a presentation from Brenda Hall, UNISON raising concerns regarding the current “What Really Matters” consultation.

Ms Hall raised a number of concerns on behalf of Unison in relation to design of the Consultation; analysis of costs; promoting Older People’s Independence Network (POPIN);day Centres; mental health services; social enterprises and social work function.

Ms Hall concluded that although the Council had quite rightly identified the protection of vulnerable people as its number one priority, the proposed changes would have a devastating effect of the services provided to vulnerable people and the staff who provide those services.

Graham Hodkinson, Director of Adult Social Services indicated that the concerns raised by Unison did not reflect the proposals that were to be considered at this meeting and that the specific budget options would be brought to this committee at the Special meeting in February 2013, looking at the “What Really Matters” consultation.

In relation to the concerns raised regarding the Promoting Older People’s Independence Network (POPIN) service, Mr Hodkinson indicated that the consultation process had yet to be concluded; options had been given to the Cabinet Member for consideration and feedback on the consultation undertaken could be provided to Members.

In relation to impact assessments, Mr Hodkinson indicated that these had been completed during the consultation process which assisted in identifying the impacts the proposals had on services, staff and service users. Mr Hodkinson indicated that if the proposed saving options are not accepted by the Council, the savings would have to be identified elsewhere, the impacts of this would have to evaluated.

Resolved –

Ms Hall be thanked for her informative presentation.

At its meeting on 20 December 2012 (minute 144 refers), the Cabinet agreed in principle, to savings options for 2013/2016 totalling £29.6 million, subject to the outcome of further consultation where required.

Cabinet minute 144 is attached and the Committee is asked to consider those items, which fall within its remit.

The Committee were invited to consider the following savings options agreed by Cabinet at its meeting on 20 December, 2012 (minute 144 refers) and which fell under the remit of this Committee.

Resolved – That the Cabinet minute 144 be noted.

To consider a report of Dr Abhi Mantgani, Clinical Chief Officer, Wirral CCG, in response to a request by the Committee in relation to developments in Dementia Care.

Further to Minute No. 39 of 4 December 2012, the Committee considered a report from Dr Abhi Mantgani, Clinical Chief Officer, Wirral CCG, setting out some of the recent developments led by NHS Wirral CCG regarding dementia care and highlighting the plans to move forward.

Members thanked Dr Mantgani for an excellent report and indicated that a lot of support was needed for carers who support those with dementia. In response, in response, Dr Mantgani indicated that the CCG were fully committed to supporting carers and he would continue to report back to this Committee on the issue. It was recognised that early diagnose was essential in helping those with dementia, with GP’s being the starting point.

Resolved –

That Dr Mantgani be thanked for his presentation and the report in relation to Dementia Care be noted.

To consider a report of Dr Abhi Mantgani, Clinical Chief Officer, Wirral CCG

The Committee considered a report by the NHS Wirral CCG providing an update in relation to national policy, local developments and progress made by NHS Wirral CCG over recent months.

Dr Phil Jennings, Chairman of NHS Wirral Clinic Commissioning Group indicated that the Authorisation process for the single Wirral CCG had now been completed. As part of the process documents were submitted to the Commissioning Board to be judged against set criteria, as a result more information was requested. A site visit was undertaken in December 2012 and the CCG were tested on their policies and plans, there now remains 20 outstanding criteria to be looked at. A consultation process would now be undertaken to be completed by 1 April 2013.

Dr Jennings indicated that he would be submitting the CCG’s strategic plan to a future meeting of the Committee for comment.

Resolved –

That Dr Mantgani and Dr Jennings be thanked for their update and congratulated on the work undertaken in relation to the Authorisation process for the single Wirral CCG.

To consider a report of the Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP) in relation to the redesigning of the Learning Disability Service.

The Committee considered the report and presentation of the Deputy Director of Operations, Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust providing an outline of the forthcoming consultation on the proposed changes to trustwide learning disabilities services provided by Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

The changes were proposed as part of the NHS efficiency saving requirements, of which the Trust had to achieve over 13m of savings over the next three years. The learning disability service redesign was part of that process.

Ms McGee indicated that following the review findings and recommendations, the following options were considered.

Option 1 - Make no changes to Learning Disability Services

Option 2 - Introduce a care pathway model which promotes supporting people in the community, with access to enhanced community services and access to impatient services for those who need it

Ms McGee indicated that the CWP think option 2 was the best option to improve outcomes for service users. Proposed changes to trustwide learning disability services would go through consultation, running for three months starting Monday 14th January 2013. The public consultation would seek feedback from service users, carers, staff, foundation trust membership and partner organisations.

The public consultation on the proposed changes would take several forms. This would include an easy read paper based document and questionnaire, an online questionnaire, and a series of public meetings held locally. Invitations to these would be extended to anyone with an interest in the developments. The meetings would be hosted and attended by senior officers from the Trust who would present an overview of the proposed changes, and

would answer any arising questions and queries. 

In relation to Kent House, the report indicated that following a CQC inspection, it was reported that the environment needed to be improved and that the Kent House was the smallest commissioned Unit and was not on a hospital site with access to 24 hour emergency support if required, which meant people cannot get help quickly in an emergency. Kent House was not in a building which met the needs of all people with a learning disability.

Members indicated that this issue needed scrutinising further, possibly along side Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee and raised concerns regarding the relocation of services to Chester in relation to transport issues.

In relation to residents in some cases having to access services outside the Borough, Ms McGee indicated that Chester would be furthest place they would have to travel, although detainees under the Mental Act may need to travel further to meet their specific needs, but this was something the CWP was not planning for. In response to Members queries in relation to the use of Clatterbridge, Ms McGee indicated that use of the mental health unit was a possibility but assurances were needed that this would not result in taking up beds where needed.

The Chair indicated and suggested that due to the complexity of the proposals and concerns raised by Members, a task and finish group be arranged  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

To consider a presentation from the Director of Policy, Performance and Public Health.

 The Committee received a presentation from the Director of Policy, Performance and Public Health, Mrs Julie Webster, Deputy Director of Public Health and Mrs Beverly Dajani, Alcohol Strategy Manager regarding ‘Developing Wirral’s approach to alcohol misuse.

Ms Fiona Johnstone, Director of Policy, Performance and Public Health informed Members that a consultation exercise was currently being undertaken on the National Alcohol strategy by the Home Office; and that the Wirral Alcohol Strategy had been updated and was due to be launched in February.

The presentation outlined the current situation on Wirral with regard to alcohol misuse, the key elements of the National Strategy and the plans to achieve them; action expected from local areas and information regarding the consultation on the National Strategy. The presentation further outlined local work being undertaken to tackle alcohol misuse.

The consultation on the national strategy consultation was launched by the Government on 28 November 2012 for a ten week period; closing date for submissions is 6 February 2013, the consultation is seeking feedback on five policy areas as follows :-

·  A minimum unit price for alcohol

·  A ban on multi-buy promotions in the off trade

·  Reviewing the mandatory licensing conditions

·  Health as a licensing objective for cumulative impact policies

·  Freeing up responsible businesses

Members commented that in relation to licensing and planning applications,  licensing objectives do not include cumulative impact, therefore, Licensing Committee had no power to limit the amount of licensed premises in an area.

Ms Johnstone indicated that there had been significant investment in alcohol treatment and care services in recent years and this had shown a levelling in the amount of admissions to hospitals but that there were still significant pressures in the health and social care system as a result of alcohol misuse.

Mrs Webster reported that there was significant support for a minimum price of 50p per alcohol unit in Merseyside and the North West. The introduction of a minimum unit price had been modelled by the University of Sheffield and  indicated significant savings to the economy and health service. The focus of the policy on minimum unit price is to reduce access to alcohol from both young people and those with severe problems with alcohol. Mrs Webster indicated that minimum pricing would not resolve the issue on its own but may help people to rethink how much they drink and their relationship with alcohol.

In response to questions raised by Members in relation to evidence to support the effectiveness of minimum pricing. Mrs Webster indicated that the evidence base was strong and that the study from Sheffield University to support the proposal could be shared with the Committee if they wished. Scotland was pursuing this policy. Mrs Dajani indicated that the Sheffield model was based on a minimum price of 50p per unit not 45p as suggested by the Government. She reported that in relation to tackling illegal alcohol, work was underway with Trading Standards to bring intelligence to Trading Standards and raise awareness with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive, Wirral University Teaching Hospital in response to a request by the Committee in relation to Medicines Management.

Due to the unavoidable absence of the Chief Executive, Wirral University Teaching Hospital the Chair moved to defer this item to the next meeting.

The Forward Plan for the period January to April 2013 has now been published on the Council’s intranet/website and Members are invited to review the Plan prior to the meeting in order for the Committee to consider, having regard to the Committee’s work programme, whether scrutiny should take place of any items contained within the Plan and, if so, how it could be done within relevant timescales and resources.

The Committee had been invited to review the Forward Plan prior to the meeting in order for it to consider, having regard to the Committee’s work programme, whether scrutiny should take place of any items contained within the Plan and, if so, how it could be done within relevant timescales and resources.

Resolved – That the Forward Plan be noted.

The Committee was requested to consider what issues should form the basis of its work programme for the ensuing municipal year.

The Chair informed the Committee that he would be meeting with the party spokespersons to agree future items for the work programme.

Resolved - That the comments of the Chair be noted.

Mr Brian Donaldson, Co-Opted Member representing the carers asked for an update on progress in relation to outstanding actions following the meetings.

Resolved –

That a meeting be held with the Chair and the Committee Administrator to the meeting to identify any outstanding actions.