Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Health and Public Protection Policy Development and Review Panel held on 06 March 2018.

It was agreed that the minutes of the Health and Public Protection Policy Development and Review Panel meeting held on 06 March 2018 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Chairman welcomed Councillors J G Kelly and Miss T Harper to the meeting as new members of the Panel.  

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.

There were no declarations of interest made at this meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

To receive a presentation from the Director of Planning and Regulation on the services falling within the remit of the Health and Public Protection Portfolio.

The Panel received a presentation from the Head of Environmental Health and the Community Safety Manager which gave an overview of the Health and Public Protection Portfolio Services. 

The presentation covered the areas of work undertaken within the portfolio and gave a brief overview on the key areas of the Fareham and Gosport Environmental Health Partnership, the Central Government Directive received in respect of air quality at the junction of the A32/A27, contaminated land, Pollution, Dog Control Services, Pest Control Services, Food Safety, Community Safety, Corporate Health and Safety, Parking Enforcement and Building Control. A copy of the presentation is attached to these minutes as Appendix A.

Members raised concerns about the lack of police interest in dealing with issues relating to rough sleepers.  The Community Safety Manager explained the work that is being done to build partnership working with the police and to raise the priority of rough sleepers. A Community Safety intelligence form is available to use for reporting issues direct to the Police and is attached as Appendix B to these minutes. 

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor T M Cartwright, MBE, Executive Member for Health and Public Protection, addressed the Panel on this item to explain the comprehensive multi-agency approach that is taking place in dealing with rough sleepers.  He also gave a brief overview of Portsmouth City Council joining the Building Control Partnership.

Members discussed the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme and how information relating to priority issues in the community can be made available to Neighbourhood Watch coordinators. The Community Safety Manager explained the tools and information that are available to assist co-ordinators in their role and, at the Panel’s request, agreed to publicise the Hampshire Alert website.

Councillor Mrs P M Bryant left the meeting during this item.

It was AGREED that the Panel note the contents of the presentation.

To receive a verbal update by the Executive Member for Health and Public Protection on the Police Crime Panel.

The Panel received a verbal update from Councillor T M Cartwright, MBE, Executive Member for Health and Public Protection, on the Police and Crime Panel.

Councillor Cartwright updated the Panel on the discussions that took place at the recent meeting of the Police and Crime Panel meeting and reported that, despite the Police and Crime Panel’s expectation that the recently increased Precept be spent on policing rather than staffing, the Police and Crime Commissioner has announced his intention to appoint two assistant Police and Crime Commissioners.   The Police and Crime Panel also heard at the meeting that the Police and Crime Commissioner had lost a vote of no-confidence organised by the Police Federation.  The Police and Crime Panel will set up a Working Group to increase scrutiny on the Commissioner’s actions.

Councillor Cartwright also reported on the disappointing lack of progress being made by the Commissioner on the siting of the main police station for Fareham. This matter has been ongoing since 2014 with no clear decision having been made yet.

The Chairman reminded Members that an invitation has been extended to the Police and Crime Commissioner to attend and speak at a future meeting of the Panel.

Councillor Cartwright was thanked for providing his update to the Panel.

To receive a verbal update by the Executive Member for Health and Public Protection on Local Strategic Health issues.

The Panel received a verbal update from Councillor T M Cartwright, MBE, the Executive Member for Health and Public Protection.

Councillor Cartwright reminded Members that the Council does not have any statutory duties in respect of health matters and can only act in a consultation and liaison capacity to try and influence decisions that are made. Key health issues at the moment are the work being done to address the results of the Care Quality Commission inspection at the Queen Alexandra Hospital (QAH) in Portsmouth and the poor utilisation of the Fareham Community Hospital. 

Councillor Cartwright advised that he is a member of the Fareham & Gosport Clinical Commissioning Group Governing Body and reported that the new Chief Executive who is now in place at QAH is building a strong management team around him to make improvements.

Councillor Cartwright also advised that Suella Braverman, MP, has a task force in place for the Fareham Community Hospital and has issued a consultation document to ask residents what services they want in the hospital. Councillor Cartwright will work with the Director of Planning and Regulation to prepare a consultation response on behalf of the Council.

The Chairman reminded Members that an invitation has been extended to the Fareham and Gosport Clinical Commissioning Group to attend and speak at a future meeting of the Panel.

Councillor Cartwright was thanked for providing his update to the Panel.

To consider a report by the Director of Planning and Regulation, which reviews the Panel’s Work Programme for 2018/19.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Planning and Regulation which invites the Panel to review the Work Programme for 2018/19.

In response to discussion in respect of the Final Plan that must be produced by 31 December 2018 to identify preferred options to deliver Air Quality compliance in the shortest possible time, it was suggested that the Panel receive a verbal update on Air Quality at the November meeting.    At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor T M Cartwright, MBE, Executive Member for Health and Public Protection, addressed the Panel on this item to explain that things are constantly changing and that difficulties are being encountered with the Joint Air Quality Unit (JAQU) not meeting deadlines. As timescales for production and approval of the plan by the Executive will be tight, the possibility of providing an update to the Panel in November will be reviewed later in the year.

It was AGREED that the Health and Public Protection Policy Development and Review Panel:

(a)  approves the programme of items for 2018/19, as set out in Appendix A to the report; and

(b)  notes the progress on actions since the last meeting as set out in Appendix B to the report.