Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies had been received from Tim Reid (Church Representative).

None.

Members of the public wishing to take part should notify the Assistant Director for Legal and Governance in writing or by e-mail indicating both the nature and content of their proposed participation no later than 9.00am on the working day before the meeting (in this case 18 October).  Further details are available on the Council's website.  Enquiries can also be made through the telephone number/e-mail address listed in this agenda and on the website.

None.

(previously circulated).

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 6 September 2023 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Attending for this item:

Karen May, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Health and Wellbeing, Worcestershire County Council (WCC)

Lisa McNally, Director of Public Health, WCC

Andrew Boote, Head of Service, Safer Communities, WCC

Paul Kinsella, Senior Public Health Practitioner, WCC

Simon Wilkes, Head of Worcestershire Regulatory Services

Andrew Strong, Advanced Public Health Practitioner (Lead on Drugs & Alcohol), WCC

John Campion, West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC)

Gareth Boulton, Chief Executive, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner

The Overview and Scrutiny Performance Board (OSPB) had been asked to consider the annual update on developments in relation to Community Safety in Worcestershire.

The Cabinet Member with Responsibility (CMR) for Health and Wellbeing reminded the Board that Community Safety was at the heart of all remits relating to public health and was also an area of concern to residents.  There was a need to address the issues pro-actively.

The Director of Public Health noted that not all Directors of Public Health had Community Safety as part of their portfolio.  However, she felt that this was the right place for Community Safety as issues were transferable across all areas of public health for both children and adults.  Community Safety was very much embedded in the whole public health approach.

The Head of Service for Safer Communities provided an overview of the agenda report and in doing so made the following main points:

·         The Community Safety function was not a service as such but rather was there to oversee a wide-ranging set of statutory duties and Worcestershire County Council’s (WCC) and Worcestershire Children First’s (WCF) response to those duties.  The function was delivered through commissioned services and partnership working.

·         Members were reminded that in January 2023, OSPB had considered the draft drugs and alcohol strategy which had now been published.  Current commissioning expenditure was set out in the report including additional government support which was now beginning to lead to significant service improvement.

·         A particular focus was on delivering continuity of care from prison into the community, something that historically the service had struggled with.  Cranstoun (the substance misuse treatment provider) had staff who were part-based at Hewell Prison aiming to build relationships and continue care out of prison.  There had been encouraging results in Worcestershire and the rate of engagement had more than doubled in the last 2 years (from 18% to 52%) and was now higher than the England average.

·         The Director of Public Health reiterated the importance of ensuring good continuity of care saying that it was among the three top outcomes to get right.  Those coming out of prison were particularly susceptible to relapse with the consequent impact on the individual and the wider community.  The service involved small numbers but had a big impact.

·         In relation to the PREVENT duty (part of the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015), a focus of work was on preparedness for Martin’s Law which covered the protection of buildings.

·         Positive feedback had been received from the Home Office in relation to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1344.

The Scrutiny Panel Chairmen provided updates on recent Scrutiny meetings and activities.

Adult Care and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Cllr Shirley Webb)

The Panel’s last meeting had included updates on developments relating to the Adult Front Door and how the Council worked with partners on homelessness.  Although housing was a district issue, there were many connections with adult social care.

Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Cllr David Chambers)

At its last meeting the Panel had considered the budget situation in relation to Children’s Social Care Placements.  The Panel had been reassured that, despite the budget difficulties, the focus of Worcestershire Children First’s work remained on the safety and wellbeing of children.

Corporate and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Cllr Emma Stokes)

The Chairman provided feedback from the Panel’s most recent meeting which had covered a large agenda with a focus on the Corporate side of the remit, including the customer contact centre, the Council’s future strategy for artificial intelligence, the member portal, performance of comments, compliments and complaints, and data relating to performance and budget monitoring.

Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Cllr Brandon Clayton)

The Chairman provided feedback from the Panel’s recent meeting which had included discussion of changes to mental health services, children’s hearing services (paediatric audiology), and winter planning.

The Chairman went on to suggest that it may be helpful to set up a task and finish group to look at the Disabled Facilities Grant, a fund that was administered by the district councils.

Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Cllr Alastair Adams)

The Panel’s last meeting had included updates on the Worcestershire on Demand bus scheme and community transport.

The Chairman expressed concern that he had still not heard when the report of the Section 278 scrutiny task group would be taken forward.

Scrutiny Task Groups

The Board considered suggestions received to date for possible topics for the next scrutiny task group.  It was agreed that an informal meeting of the Board would be held to prioritise the suggested topics.