Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor M Goldsmith.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2019.

RESOLVED –

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 12 September 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in any item on the agenda.

No declarations of interest were made.

To provide an opportunity for Members to declare the existence of a party whip in relation to any item on the Agenda

No declarations of a party whip were made.

A total period of 15 minutes is allocated for members of the public to make a statement(s) on any matter that falls within the remit of the Committee.

Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes, but the Chairman will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned, where there are a number of speakers.

Note: in order for officers to undertake and background research, it would be helpful if members of the public notified the Scrutiny Officer listed at the foot of the Agenda at least one working day before the meeting with brief details of the matter to be covered.

There were two members of the public present who wished to speak to Minute No. 33.

Mr. Richard Walton addressed the committee to express concern over the lack of a weekend service at the Congleton Minor Injuries Unit (CMIU), and the further intermittent closures it had experienced. He referred the committee to a petition raised by local residents whom were dissatisfied with the current CMIU working arrangements, which had gained over 5,500 signatures.

Councillor Paul Duffy (Congleton Town Council) spoke to the committee about the uncertainty local residents have had with regards to the CMIU, and argued that the reduced admissions at the CMIU could be attributed to residents’  hesitation about the reduced operating hours and intermittent mid-week closures. He advised that members of the public would continue to travel further afield to other hospital provisions and that, attendance rates may consequently become too low to warrant the continued operation of the CMIU.

RESOLVED –

The committee thanked Mr. Richard Walton and Councillor Paul Duffy for their statements.

To consider the Council’s proposals for the Care4CE service, in advance of a formal decision being taken by Cabinet.

Consideration was given to a report on the proposed future arrangements of the council’s Care4CE service; feedback from the committee was intended to be taken into account by officers and portfolio holders prior to the final decision-making report being presented to Cabinet on 3 December 2019.

The feedback and comments from members included;

·         that the report could be improved by simplifying its language and using less jargon, to make it easier for interested members of the public to understand the proposals being brought forward;

·         concern that any potential introduction of new terms and conditions for staff could result in a two-tier pay system between existing and transferred staff, and staff that are recruited in the future;

·         that consideration should be given to implementing the Ethical Care Charter as part of any proposal put forward; and

·         that any targets and/or performance indicators included within a potential service level agreement should be reasonable and practicable for members of staff.

The committee unanimously agreed to ask Cabinet to provide assurances that, under any potential new service level agreement or wholly-owned company, the council will prevent the creation of a two-tier workforce, and protect the terms and conditions of all staff.

RESOLVED –

1          That the committee’s feedback on the report and draft proposals be considered by officers and portfolio holders, prior to the decision-making report being finalised and present to Cabinet on 3 December 2019.

2          That Cabinet be asked to provide assurances that, under any potential new service level agreement or wholly-owned company, the council will prevent the creation of a two-tier workforce, and protect the terms and conditions of all staff.

To consider a report on the working arrangements at the Minor Injuries Unit at Congleton War Memorial Hospital.

Consideration was given to a report submitted by East Cheshire NHS Trust on the working arrangements at the Minor Injuries Unit at Congleton War Memorial Hospital.

Members asked questions and put comments in relation to;

·         concern that the mid-week operating service had been subject to intermittent closures and that the Trust could not guarantee a consistent mid-week operation;

·         which other service provisions local residents had been required to attend when the CMIU was not open;

·         how the removal of a weekend operating service, together with intermittent mid-week closures, affected residents local to the CMIU that had to travel further afield without the use of a car; and

·         whether the Trust’s decision to maintain reduced hours of operation arose from issues related to recruiting and retaining staff, or from the financial difficulties faced by the Trust.

RESOLVED –

1          That the committee expresses concern that the variable and intermittent opening times of the Congleton War Memorial Hospital Minor Injuries Unit may be a cause of the decline in the use of this service.

2          That the committee ask the commissioners to review the funding provided for this service and outline the shape of future local service provision in Congleton, with a view to trying to ensure a reliable minor injuries service for residents, and return to the committee with an update on this no later than 9 April 2020.

The committee adjourned for a short break.

To consider performance relating to delayed transfers of care of patients during the 2018/19 winter months.

Consideration was given to a report on the performance of council and local NHS services in relation to delayed transfers of care, which focused on the extent of the impact that the 2018 winter months had on performance.

It was reiterated to members that ‘winter pressures’ had become a redundant term; health and social care services had seen increases in year-round pressures from periods and events of hot and cold weather.

RESOLVED –

That the update be noted.

To consider a progress report on performance of the Council’s Connected Communities Centres against key strategies and objectives.

Consideration was given to a report on the activity and performance of the council’s Connected Communities Centres.

Members asked questions and put comments in relation to;

·         whether there was a method of quantifying and/or evaluating the social value of the Connected Communities Centres; and

·         how the Connected Communities Centres had helped to promote social connectivity and enabled community groups and faith groups to engage with harder-to-reach people.

RESOLVED –

That the update be noted.

To consider the work undertaken by the Local Safeguarding Adults Board during 2018/19.

Prior to the consideration of this report, Councillors Clowes and Gardiner declared non-pecuniary interests in the item; they were members of the Local Adults Safeguarding Board during the period in which the report discusses.

Consideration was given to the annual report of the Local Safeguarding Adults Board from the previous municipal year, 2018/19.

Members asked questions and put comments in relation to;

·         the take-up and attendance at the free training sessions provided by the Local Adults Safeguarding Board; and

·         what role the Board would have in relation to different safeguarding matters.

RESOLVED –

That the update be noted.

To consider a presentation on the Council’s Carer Hub and the Living Well Fund.

Consideration was given to a presentation to provide the committee with background knowledge and information on the council’s Carers Hub and the Living Well Fund.

RESOLVED –

That the presentation be noted.

To consider the Council’s Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period ending 31 January 2020.

Consideration was given to the council’s Forward Plan of key decisions through to 31 January 2020.

RESOLVED –

That the Forward Plan be noted.

To review the current work programme.

Consideration was given to the committee’s work programme.

A suggestion was made to add an item related to dementia support services in Cheshire East.

RESOLVED –

1          That the work programme be approved.

2          That the Chairman and Vice-Chairman liaise with officers and portfolio holders to explore the potential scope and detail of a work programme item on dementia support services in Cheshire East.