Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies were received from Tim Reid (Co-opted Church Representative for Education matters) and Tina Russell, Director of Children’s Services/Chief Executive, Worcestershire Children First.

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 Monday 18 December 2023).  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 19 October 2023 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

In attendance for this item:

Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Health and Wellbeing, CMR (HWB)

Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Children and Families, CMR (C&F)

Director of Public Health

Public Health Consultant

Director of Strategy and Partnerships, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust (H&WHCT)

Associate Director Children, Young People and Families and specialist primary care, H&WHCT

Senior Manager, Children and Young People’s Mental Health, NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB)

Director of Child Protection and Through Care, Worcestershire Children First (WCF).

The Board had requested an update on the progress made following the recommendations agreed by Cabinet in March 2023 in respect of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Scrutiny Task Group report.

The Cabinet Member (HWB) made some opening comments thanking the Scrutiny Task Group for their work and highlighting that the recommendations agreed by Cabinet had now been grouped under 4 headings as part of an Action Plan for progressing the actions.

By way of background, the Cabinet Member (C&F), explained that in his previous role (Chairman of the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Panel) he had been the Lead Member of the CAMHS Task Group. The CMR (C&F) gave a brief overview of some of the key findings and issues identified by the Task Group which had led to their recommendations.

The Director of Strategy and Partnerships explained that there was some misunderstanding of CAMHS, and the work of the Task Group had proved to be a key learning piece for taking things forward. The consolidation of the recommendations into 4 workstreams, each with clear leadership and a governance route, was important and issues had been woven into next year’s planning for the Integrated Care System to ensure that issues would be developed. The Senior Manager (ICB) commented that the Scrutiny work had been a comprehensive stocktake as to where the services were set against the national post Covid situation. In recognition of the different levels of need and help required, there was a move away from the focus being on the ‘CAMHS’ identity towards an emphasis on the availability of the wider emotional health and wellbeing provision.

The Board was informed that the road map referred to in Action 1 was complete and available on the website. With regard to Action 2 (increasing the provision of early help services), it was highlighted that this had also been identified by the ICB. In the past 6 months, the Mental Health Collaborative had been developing services and funding had been identified to procure a service for targeted intervention support, with a likely start date of September 2024. The specification was currently being completed through multi partner working, following which it would be put out to tender. Members were also informed that the ICB was developing a neurodivergent pathway.

In response to Members questions, the following points were made:

·         Additional resources had not yet been put in place to match the increased demand for services post Covid.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1350.

The Scrutiny Panel Chairmen/Lead Member provided an update on recent Scrutiny meetings and activities.

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

The Panel’s last meeting had included an item on how the Council works with Carers and this discussion had benefitted from the input of the Worcestershire Association of Carers and 2 individual carers who had shared their experiences.

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

The Chairman provided feedback from the Panel’s most recent meeting which had included an update from the West Mercia Youth Justice Service, the progress on SEND and the Home to School Transport Budget position. The Panel had suggested the ‘Use of Agency staff’ as a possible Scrutiny Task Group topic for the Board to consider.

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

At the Panel’s last meeting items had included an update on the Libraries Unlocked Programme, for which a public speaker had attended to express the concerns of local residents. An overview of the Council’s Contractual and Pay inflation had also been received and detailed questioning had taken place.

Environment Overview and Scrutiny Meeting (Cllr Alastair Adams)

The Chairman advised that the Panel’s recent meeting had included an update on the Net Zero Carbon Plan. In relation to this, the Chairman was keen to receive examples of the feasibility/impact of carbon capture technology.  In respect of DRT (Malvern) considered by the September Panel, the Panel had requested to be informed of the publicity that was taking place in line with the Communication Plan. 

Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Cllr Brandon Clayton)

The Chairman provided feedback from the Committee’s recent monthly meetings and activity. At the last meeting HOSC considered a report on improving patient flow. Members had also carried out site visits to mental health units in Worcester and Redditch as part of scrutinising future proposals for the Hill Crest Ward, Redditch. New members of the Committee had also benefitted from Induction on the role of each partner Health system.

Crime and Disorder (Cllr Richard Udall)

Cllr Udall advised that he was meeting with the Police Federation in the new year.

Work Programme and Cabinet Forward Plan

It was agreed that an update on the progress of the Developer Funded Highways Infrastructure Scrutiny Task Group report would be scheduled for May or June 2024 meeting.

The Chairman expressed concern as to what impact the Board could have on the Budget given the short time period between the Board receiving Budget details at the end of January and the Cabinet meeting. The Interim Democratic Governance and Scrutiny Manager advised that the Panels had already been looking at some of the key issues in detail, and these comments along with feedback from the January Panels would be available to the Board in January. The Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive would be invited to attend the Board meeting.

It was highlighted that the current Forward Plan only included key decisions to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1351.