Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Head of Integrated Strategic Commissioning and Safeguarding.(to follow)

The Committee considered proposed Terms of Reference for the shadow Health and Wellbeing Board.  A report had previously been submitted to full Council on 15 December 2011 where various concerns had been raised resulting in further consideration being given to the Terms of Reference and the report now submitted.  This report had been considered by Cabinet who had requested that the section on accountability be further clarified which was now set out in the report.  

The draft Terms of Reference covered various matters including the purpose, objectives, roles and responsibilities, membership, quorum, procedure and conflicts of interest. 

Councillor Clowes, Portfolio Holder for Health and Adult Social Care, explained that the membership was based on the statutory membership with the addition of an Opposition Party Member.  There was now an option to nominate Associate Members and this status was appropriate for individuals who wanted to be involved with the work of the Shadow Board but were not designated core members; they would be able to submit agenda items and would have a standing invitation to attend meetings.   There was also a new requirement to have an Associate Member on the Board from the National Commissioning Board. 

The Terms of Reference had been reviewed against those from other Authorities.  In relation to voting rights secondary legislation was awaited but it was hoped that agreement could be reached by consensus without the need for a formal vote.

In discussing the issue, the following points were raised:

      What was the role of the Local Involvement Network/Healthwatch representative?  It was explained that this was a statutory member on the Board and their role was to represent the patient and public voice;

      That the Opposition Member should be a matter for the Opposition Group to decide who that member should be;  Councillor Clowes agreed to discuss this with the Leader;

      That in relation to point 14 of the Terms of Reference it be clarified that the seven principles refer to the Nolan principles;

      Whether there was a role on the Board for provider representatives?  Councillor Clowes explained that this matter was being considered and it could be that provider representatives were Associate Members or part of Sub Groups that sat below the Board;

      Whether Public Speaking Time was included on the agenda for meetings?  In response, Members were advised that public speaking was allowed at the invitation of the Chairman.

Councillor Clowes explained that the Health and Wellbeing Board was currently focusing on 3 areas of work:

      Working towards the establishment of Healthwatch;

      The Health and Wellbeing Strategy which would be undergoing a consultation process over the summer;

      The Authorisation process for the Clinical Commissioning Groups.

Members asked whether there would be any training or briefing sessions on the Board for Members and were advised that officers were working on short written Briefing Notes.

RESOLVED:  that

(a) the draft Terms of Reference be supported subject to the comments made at the meeting as set out above; and

(b) that the Terms of Reference be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8