Agenda item

Economy and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel

The Panel had recently considered congestion and cycling as a follow up to discussions on LTP4.  Good progress was being made.  There had been some concern about the end of the Choose How You Move scheme which had reduced congestion and increased car sharing and bus use.  The Panel felt it would helpful to look at this again.  The Chairman of the Board welcomed work in this area and emphasised the importance of encouraging parents and pupils to walk or cycle to school.

Adult Care and Well-being Overview and Scrutiny Panel

The Panel had recently looked at Delayed Transfers of Care, jointly with the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

A scrutiny task group to consider Quality Assurance of Care and Nursing Homes was currently being set up.

Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Although the Chairman of HOSC had not been able to attend the meeting, he had provided a written update as follows:

·         The new Chief Executive of the Acute Trust had attended a recent meeting to outline his programme of improvement and performance management.  The Trust was currently going through the CQC inspection process.

·         The Chairman had also met with representatives of the CCGs.  The CCGs were preparing to consult on proposals for a merger at managerial level and this consultation would be launched within a month or so.

Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Panel

The Family Front Door Scrutiny Task Group was ongoing and was aiming to conclude before the end of the school term.

A meeting with the Chief Executive of the County Council had agreed a way forward with regard to scrutiny of Worcestershire Children First.  The Chairman of the Board agreed that this had been a helpful meeting and emphasised the need to ensure the conclusions were followed through.

A report on a new model of delivery for the Medical Education Team which had been due to come to Cabinet in June had now been delayed until October. There was some concern in schools about this delay and the Chairman of the Panel undertook to raise these concerns with the Director of Children, Families and Communities.

A report on the Future Provision of Overnight Unit-Based Short Breaks for Children with Disabilities would be considered by the Panel on 4 June, ahead of a Cabinet discussion on 6 June.  This report would need careful consideration and there may be a need to reconvene the scrutiny task group.

Scrutiny Work Programme

The Chairman reminded Members that they should let the Scrutiny Team have any ideas for the 2019/20 Scrutiny Work Programme.  The draft programme would be considered by the Board in July.

Forward Plan

The Democratic Governance Manager reminded Members that the Government had recently published statutory guidance on overview and scrutiny, which although not directive, there was a need for the Council to have regard to.  She undertook to circulate the document to Members.  The guidance should be borne in mind by the Board when considering the 2019/20 Scrutiny Work Programme.