Agenda item

To consider a report on proposals for establishing the Joint Scrutiny Committee.

The Committee considered a report of the Cheshire East Borough Solicitor on proposals for establishing the Joint Scrutiny Committee.

The report outlined the background to the Joint Scrutiny Committee  - a Joint Scrutiny Committee had been in existence since 2004 between Cheshire County Council and Wirral Metropolitan Council to scrutinise the work of the Cheshire and Wirral Partnership Trust (CWP) – the provider of mental health, learning disability and drug/alcohol services across Cheshire and Wirral.  The Committee noted that Terms of Reference for the new Committee had been proposed based on those used for the previous Committee and updated accordingly:

            “1         to undertake the Scrutiny of, and report on, any matter relating to the planning, provision and operation of services provided by the Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (including commenting on the annual “health check” of the performance of the Trust) within the areas of Cheshire East Council, Cheshire West & Chester Council and Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council

            2          to consider and comment upon any proposals submitted by the Trust for substantial development or variation in the provision of its services

            3          to consider any matters referred to the Joint Committee by Cheshire East Council Health & Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee, or Cheshire West & Chester Health and Wellbeing Select Panel, or the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral’s Social Care, Health and Inclusion Overview and Scrutiny Committee

            4          to consider any matters referred to the Joint Committee by the

            appropriate Local Involvement Network (LINk).”

The report outlined the legal framework in relation to Substantial Developments or Variations in service (SDVs) upon which health services must consult Scrutiny bodies.  It was noted that SDVs were not defined but the key feature was that there was a major change to services experienced by patients.  The Committee discussed adopting a Protocol to assist with dealing with SDVs based on three levels of changes to NHS services that would require notification/consultation to Scrutiny. 

The membership of the new Joint Scrutiny Committee comprised 6 Members from each of the 3 Authorities.  It was proposed that the position of Chairman and Vice Chairman should rotate on a yearly basis with the Authority that did not hold one of those positions nominating a Spokesperson.  The Committee agreed quorum should be set at 6 Members representing each of the three Authorities.  The former Committee had allowed named Substitute Members and it was agreed that this should continue.

The Committee discussed frequency of meetings and meeting venues.  It was also proposed that mid point meetings should be held involving the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Spokesperson to meet with relevant officers including from the Partnership Trust to identify and prioritise in advance anticipated Committee business.

The Committee noted that the previous Joint Scrutiny Committee had had co-opted Members from the former Patient and Public Involvement Forum.  This organisation had now been replaced by the Local Involvement Network (LINk).  It was agreed that the issue of co-option should be considered at a later date.

RESOLVED:  That

(a)       the Terms of Reference be approved;

(b)       a Spokesperson from Cheshire West and Chester Council be nominated to officers before the next meeting;

(c)        updated Protocol and Procedure Rules be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee;

(d)       the principle of holding Mid Point meetings comprising the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Spokesperson be approved;

(e)       the quorum for the Committee be 6 Members with a minimum of 2 from each Council;

(f)         a Briefing/Training Session be held on Thursday 18 June at 10.00am at the Trust Board offices.