Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor S Gardiner, who was substituted for by Councillor L Smetham.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 5 November 2020.

RESOLVED –

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 5 November 2020, 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.

There were no declarations of interest.

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

There were no declarations of a party whip.

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 no members of the public present who wished to speak.

The committee received an update on the Covid-19 pandemic, and the work undertaken by the council to manage the borough’s response to the public health situation. The update provided information on the national vaccination development progress and of the forthcoming mass vaccination programme.

Members asked questions and put comments in relation to;

·         how the NHS and partners were working to ensure that there was a high uptake of the Covid-19 vaccination;

·         surprise that staff and residents at care homes had not yet accessed flu vaccinations, and what the reasons were for the low uptake;

·         concern about the unpaid carers in Cheshire East – a cohort of people who may not be immediately eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine – but have a very important caring role for residents; and

·         how long it takes for people to achieve a state of immunity after taking the Covid-19 vaccination.

RESOLVED –

That the update be received and noted.

Pursuant to the previous updates and informal briefing sessions it had held on Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community welfare, the committee received and considered the recently-published ‘We’re Still Here’ report – a research study into the needs and preferences of Gypsy/Traveller communities in the Cheshire, Halton and Warrington region.

Members put questions and comments in relation to;

• how the Covid-19 pandemic had impacted on the mental wellbeing of communities that had not been able to travel and visit relatives;
• the rights of the Police in relation to authorised and unauthorised encampments;
• the Inequalities Commission that had been established by Cheshire East Council’s Health and Wellbeing Board;
• why there were reportedly higher rates of suicide amongst the Gypsy/Traveller communities, and what could be done to address this; and
• how authorities could ensure that positive messaging is provided to these communities regarding the Covid-19 mass vaccination programme, which would help to ensure a high uptake.

RESOLVED –

1          That the relevant studies and further reading in relation to mental health and wellbeing struggles, and higher prevalence of suicide, amongst Gypsy/Traveller communities be circulated to the committee electronically.

2          That hard copies of the We’re Still Here report be sent to members of the committee and be made available to other members of the council.

Pursuant to the previous updates and informal briefing sessions it had held on Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community welfare, the committee received and considered the recently-published ‘We’re Still Here’ report – a research study into the needs and preferences of Gypsy/Traveller communities in the Cheshire, Halton and Warrington region.

Members put questions and comments in relation to;

• how the Covid-19 pandemic had impacted on the mental wellbeing of communities that had not been able to travel and visit relatives;
• the rights of the Police in relation to authorised and unauthorised encampments;
• the Inequalities Commission that had been established by Cheshire East Council’s Health and Wellbeing Board;
• why there were reportedly higher rates of suicide amongst the Gypsy/Traveller communities, and what could be done to address this; and
• how authorities could ensure that positive messaging is provided to these communities regarding the Covid-19 mass vaccination programme, which would help to ensure a high uptake.

RESOLVED –

1          That the relevant studies and further reading in relation to mental health and wellbeing struggles, and higher prevalence of suicide, amongst Gypsy/Traveller communities be circulated to the committee electronically.

2          That hard copies of the We’re Still Here report be sent to members of the committee and be made available to other members of the council.

The committee reviewed and discussed its work programme.

RESOLVED –

That the Scrutiny Officer liaise with officers and partners to obtain more information on when the following updates could appropriately be presented to the committee:

·         Specialist Orthodontic and Oral Surgery Services in Cheshire East (in response to a recent communication to health scrutiny committees that outlined the proposed next steps for this piece of work)

·         Review of Autism Screening at Cheshire’s Custody Suites

·         Re-design of Adults and Older People’s Mental Health Services in Cheshire East.