Issue - meetings

In accordance with Procedure Rules Nos.11 and 35 a period of 10 minutes is allocated for members of the public to address the meeting on any matter relevant to the work of the body in question.  Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes but the Chairman or person presiding will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers. Members of the public are not required to give notice to use this facility. However, as a matter of courtesy, a period of 24 hours’ notice is encouraged.

Members of the public wishing to ask a question at the meeting should provide at least three clear working days’ notice in writing and should include the question with that notice. This will enable an informed answer to be given.

Cllr G Baxendale used public speaking time to address the Board concerning the Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust consultation exercise on the reconfiguration of Adult and Older People’s Mental Health Services in Central and Eastern Cheshire. He urged the Board to oppose any proposal to close the Millbrook Unit at Macclesfield Hospital. He stated that if the Millbrook Unit was closed, transport to alternative units would be impossible. He asked to the Board to think carefully of patients and carers when responding to the consultation.

It was noted that the Medical Director would be presenting the proposals to an in public meeting of the NHS Eastern Cheshire governing body and Eastern Cheshire CCG would seek some assurances in respect of this issue.

Cllr L Jeuda used public speaking time to refer to the reorganisation of hospitals in Cheshire and to ask how this would effect the residents of Cheshire East. She asked whether the Health and Wellbeing Board would be given the opportunity to comment if there was to be a reorganisation of hospitals in the Cheshire East area.

Tracy Bullock, Mid Cheshire Hospital Foundation and Independent NHS representative on the Board,  responded to say that she was not aware of any firm plans for a reorganisation in the area. Dr Paul Bowen reported that any reorganisation would need to be reported to the Health and Wellbeing Board and the CCG governing body, as the accountable bodies and that assurance would be sought that this would happen.

Simon Whitehouse, South Cheshire CCG, used public speaking time to refer to the successful leg of the Tour of Britain cycle race, which had passed through Cheshire East and considered this to be an important legacy to encourage people to be more active.