Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Davies.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Health and Housing Policy Development and Review Panel meeting held on 15 November 2012.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the meeting of the Housing Policy Development and Review Panel held on 15 November 2012 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

To receive any declarations of interest from members in accordance with Standing Orders and the Council’s Code of Conduct and disclosures of advice or directions received from Group Leaders or Political Groups, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

In accordance with the Standing Orders and the Council’s Code of Conduct, Councillor Miss Bell declared a pecuniary interest for minute 6 – Fareham’s Approach to Health and Wellbeing as she works within the Health Care Industry. The Council’s Monitoring Officer has subsequently spoken to Councillor Bell and because of the general nature of the item and discussion it would not have affected the material interests of the Member and as such it is considered that the interest was neither a pecuniary or a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (DPI).

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

To consider a report by the Director of Community on the Government's Health reforms and the opportunities for the Council to engage with the Health Service and the role of the Panel in maintaining an overview of local health issues and priorities.

At the agreement of the Panel the Chairman took this item early to allow Councillor Bayford to participate in the discussions, as he had another commitment to attend.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Community on the Government’s Health Service and the role of the Panel in maintaining an overview of local health issues and priorities.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Bayford addressed the Panel on this issue, to explain his role as Fareham Borough Council’s representative on the Fareham and Gosport Clinical Commissioning Group (F&GCCG). He informed the Panel that he had been contacted by the Clinical Commissioning Group who had issues a consultation paper outlining their priorites for the area and requesting a response by 22 January 2013. Councillor Bayford explained that he had complied a list of what he believed were the main issues that needed to be addressed and asked the Panel for their comments on them.

The list of priorities were:

(1) GP Out of Hours Service

(2) Emergency admissions for children with lower respiratory tract infections

(3) GP services to Frail Elderly (unable to attend the surgery)

(4) Provision of local Maternity Services

(5) Provision of local services for Mental Health and Learning Disabilities

The Panel discussed the topics at length and agreed that all the points that Councillor Bayford raised were important issues. It was also agreed amongst the Panel that the most important of all of the services mentioned was the GP out of hours service, as this was a service that could affect a large majority of people and would have an impact on the other priorities listed.

It was AGREED that the Panel,

(i)      noted the Government’s reforms to the National Health Service;

(ii)     noted how Fareham Borough Council’s services impact on the health and wellbeing of residents and visitors;

(iii)    noted that the remit of the Panel has now extended to include maintaining an overview of local health issues and priorities;

(iv)   noted how the Council is represented on the various Health bodies;

(v)    noted how the Panel can make representations to the Hampshire Health & Wellbeing Board and the Fareham & Gosport Clinical Commissioning Group about local health issues and priorities via the Council’s appointed representative, and

(vi)   approved the list of priorities given by Councillor Bayford to form the basis of the Council’s response to the Fareham and Gosport Clinical Commissioning Group consultation paper.

To consider a report by the Director of Community, which invites the Panel to review the outcome of the work programme for 2012/13 and finalise the draft work programme for 2013/14.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Community which invited members to review the outcome of the work programme for 2012/13 and finalise the draft work programme for 2013/14. The Director of Community gave an overview of the report and explained to the Panel that other reports will appear on the work programme throughout the year as things develop.

It was suggested by the Panel that the following items also be added to the Work Programme for 2013/14:

·       Collingwood House Update

·       Housing Arrears Update

·       Rough Sleeper/Homelessness Update

It was AGREED that members noted the content of the report, and approve the draft work programme for 2013/14 with the inclusion of the suggested additional items.

To consider a report by the Director of Community on the Council's improvements to the delivery of the Disabled Grants Programme.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Community on the Disabled Facilities Grants Annual Report which invited the Panel’s comments.

It was AGREED that the Panel noted the improvements made in the delivery of the Disabled Facilities Grants Programme, the demand and progress made in delivering this year’s programme and the challenges for 2013/14.