Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence from Board Members

Before starting the business on the agenda Councillor Slade welcomed Elaine Redding, BCP Interim Corporate Director Children’s Services, to her first meeting of the Board and to Jenni Douglas-Todd, Chairman of the ICS who was attending as an observer.

Apologies for absence were received from Graham Farrant, David Richardson, Louise Bate, Debbie Fleming, Eugene Yafele and Karen Loftus

To receive information on any changes in the membership of the Board.

Richard Renaut, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, Poole and Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trusts, attended as a substitute for Debbie Fleming and Jane Elson Service Director Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust attended as a substitute for Eugine Yafele.

To elect a Chairman for the 2020/21 Municipal Year.

Councillor Vikki Slade was nominated and seconded for Chairman. There were no other nominations and Councillor Slade took the role of Chairman.

To elect a Vice-Chairman for the 2020/21 Municipal Year.

Tim Goodson was nominated and seconded for Vice-Chairman. There were no other nominations and Mr Goodson to the role of Vice-Chairman

Board Members are requested to declare any interests on items included in this agenda. Please refer to the workflow on the preceding page for guidance.

Declarations received will be reported at the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest made at this meeting.

To receive any public questions, statements or petitions submitted in accordance with the Constitution. Further information on the requirements for submitting these is available to view at the following link:-

https://democracy.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeID=151&Info=1&bcr=1

The deadline for the submission of public questions is Wednesday 26 August 2020.

The deadline for the submission of a statement is 12.00 noon, Wednesday 2 September 2020.

The deadline for the submission of a petition was Wednesday 18 August 2020.

There no public issues for this meeting.

To confirm and sign as a correct record the following minutes.

The minutes of the meetings held on 4 June 2020 and 2 July 2020 were confirmed as a correct record subject to the following change:

2 July 2020

Minute 55 remove the wording “clinical” to enable more flexibility in the membership of the sub-group.

Voting - agreed

The Board is asked to review the business protocol, membership and terms of reference and amend as appropriate.

The Deputy Head of Democratic Services presented a paper on the business protocol, membership and terms of reference of the Board, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix ‘A’ to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Chairman suggested that an Education representative external to the Council with schools and early years’ experience would be useful for the Board. This suggestion was supported by the Board and in particular the valuable knowledge that such a representative would bring to the operation of the Board.

The Chairman asked if Elaine Redding would progress the above suggestion.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)          the membership of the Board be amended to include an external education representative and contact be made with perspective nominees; and

(b)          subject to the above the business protocol, membership and terms of reference be agreed.

Voting – agreed

The Board will receive a presentation on the operation of the safe and well checks provided by the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority in order to raise awareness of the service and its benefits to local residents.

The Chairman reported that she was delighted that there had been an opportunity to include this item on the agenda.  She highlighted her experience of the inspirational work undertaken by the team.  Seth Why referred to a previous meeting of the Board and a comment made on the need to reduce the level of admissions to hospital he highlighted the services provided by the team to vulnerable residents in the community including signposting and providing education.

The Board received a presentation from Sarah Moore, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service on the work of the Safe and Well team and the services and support provided by the team. She outlined the reasons that people suffer from fires in their homes and that on average each fire death cost £1.65m which was why there was a Safe and Well team.  In the Winter there can be additional reasons for fires including using old heaters, overloaded sockets and chimney fires. The Board was advised of the two different sides of fire safety, prevention and protection.  Sarah explained that the Safe and Well Team come under fire prevention so when they visit people in their homes. They are encouraging them to change their habits by taking on goodwill advice. The Board was advised of the role of the Safety Advisers who were based locally.  Sarah explained that visits were normally arranged by telephone and visits involved the adviser identifying potential risks in their home.  She also indicated that there was an ability during the visit to see if there were any other issues such as use of medication, alcohol or mobility problems and if so to signpost residents to other agencies for support. The Board was also advised of other support provided by the team including the loan of heaters, provision of fire-retardant bedding, installation of deaf alert systems, fitting carbon monoxide detectors and offering talks in the Community.  Sarah highlighted the “Do you know a Charlie Initiative” which was promoted to health professionals and provided an opportunity for vulnerable residents to be referred to the Safe and Well team for support.  The Board was informed that there had been 4,000 visits by the team in the BCP area for 2019/20.

Jan Thurgood, Corporate Director BCP Council endorsed the joint work with the Adult Social Care contact centre and referred to the multi-disciplinary hoarding panel which the fire service was engaged with and welcomed the partnership working.  The Corporate Director asked if Sarah Moore could provide a brief overview of the service being provided in the current climate due to covid.

Sarah explained that the Team were still providing a service in the current climate with most contact with residents via the telephone.  She reported that the team were visiting those in highest risk with appropriate PPE, where equipment needed to be fitted.

The Board highlighted the importance of the work that the team do and the complexities of the needs of some residents they were working with.  The Chairman asked  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

The Board will be asked to consider and approve the Health and Wellbeing Strategy. Health and Wellbeing Board members are also encouraged to consider adopting a ‘sponsorship’ model in which Board members provide guidance and support to specific priority areas within the strategy.

The Director of Public Health presented a report on the Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2020-2023, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix ‘B’ to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Board was informed that approval of the draft strategy document attached to the report was sought.  Members were encouraged to consider adopting a ‘sponsorship’ model in which Board members provide guidance and support to specific priority areas within the strategy.  The Director of Public Health reported that the Board was required, in discharging its duty, to have a strategy to promote integration and prevention.  He referred to the development of the strategy and the development session held in late 2019 when the framework for the strategy was considered and the three priorities empowering communities, promoting healthy lives and support and challenge to partners was proposed and agreed. It was further discussed that in relation to promoting healthy lives, the initial annual theme would be that of increasing physical activity. The Director of Public Health highlighted that as a result of the pandemic it was proposed that the themes be reviewed.  It was suggested within the draft strategy that the themes would now be improving mental health for the first 15 months and then for the Board to focus on eliminating food insecurity.  The Director of Public Health explained the strong links between the strategy and the BCP Corporate Strategy and referred to the important strands in the work of the Council in improving health and well-being outcomes in communities in deprived areas and the need for the strategy to dovetail with the priorities of the Dorset Integrated Care System.  The Director of Public Health reported on the need to focus on deprived communities which would be even more important in view of recent ONS surveys. The survey had shown that in April and May high numbers of the population were experiencing some form of mental stress linked to their financial future.

The Board considered the proposed draft strategy, the sponsorship model and the proposed themes.  Richard Renault indicated that he fully supported the strategy and the two promoting healthy lives priorities and indicated that the covid psychological burdens were very high.  He referred to the reconfiguration of acute hospital services which would take place over the coming years and the strong set of patient benefits associated with these changes.  The benefits would be tracked and outcomes shared with the Health and Wellbeing Board over time.

Jenni Dougal-Todd supported the strategy, the promotion of healthy lives and the focus on mental health as a priority in the strategy.  The Chairman referred to the second priority and the lead in time when identifying priorities. She reported on the request from the food poverty team for the Board to pick up the governance around food poverty and it became clear the issue around the hunger agenda felt appropriate for inclusion in the Strategy. Richard Renault referred to the need to align  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

To advise the Health and Wellbeing Board that BCP Council Adult Social Care has revised three easements to the Care Act (2014) under powers granted by the Coronavirus Act (2020). These easements were previously reported to the Health and Wellbeing Board on 4 June 2020

The Corporate Director for Adult Social Care presented a report on the Application of Care Act Easements for BCP Council Adult Social Care and revisions in August 2020, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix ‘C’ to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Board was advised that the BCP Council Adult Social Care had reviewed its position in relation to easements to the Care Act (2014) under powers granted by the Coronavirus Act (2020). Three easements were previously reported to the Health and Wellbeing Board on 4 June 2020.  Officers reported that the Stage 2 easements used the flexibilities already present within the Care Act to change, delay or cancel some service types. The easements were introduced because Government recognised that the Covid-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented pressures on Adult Social Care and that the full requirements of the Care Act (2014) may be difficult for Local Authorities to discharge.

The Corporate Director reported that two of the three easements had been withdrawn relating to people with a hearing loss and changes in the provision of occupational therapy prescribed adaptations. Both services were now able to act under the Care Act at Stage one of the Coronavirus Act. She explained that the remaining easement related to day opportunities and day centre services.  The Board was advised of the national guidance issued by SCIE (Social Care Institute for Excellence) on how to consider safely opening up all such services.  The guidance acknowledged that it would not be possible to provide the services to the full range of clients or to the same intensity in view of the social distancing measures that would need to be put in place as a result of Covid 19.  The Corporate Director reported that work was underway with all providers to begin to provide services safely which was encouraging all be it more limited services.  She explained that if there was a community rise in Covid 19 cases advice would be sought from Public Health on the necessary action required in respect of day opportunities.

Councillor Dedman highlighted how the Council and partner organisations had managed throughout the pandemic. She indicated that there were still a lot of residents who were not keen to have visits due to Covid 19 and this issue needed to be considered.  She commended staff throughout the council and the partnership organisations for all their work.

The Chairman reported on isolation and loneliness which was a real problem and asked what could be done through the wider community to address this issue and what communication was planned to explain the position with current access to day opportunities.

The Corporate Director Adult Social Care reported that in relation to isolation and loneliness there were initiatives through the voluntary sector and Karen Loftus could update the Board at a future meeting.  She outlined the range of contact with clients explaining the situation on day opportunities including supporting those with direct payments  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.

To update on the development of a Communications Strategy to support the BCP Council COVID-19 Local Outbreak Management Plan and COVID-19 Local Outbreak Engagement Board.

The Director of Public Health  presented a report providing an update on the Covid-19 Communications Strategy and the role of the Local Outbreak Engagements Board  2020, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix ‘C’ to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Director of Public Health reported on the role of the Local Outbreak Engagement Board.  He reminded the Board that the Local Outbreak Management Plan had been produced by the end of June in line with national policy. The Director reported that as previously agreed the Health and Wellbeing Board would function as the Local Outbreak Engagement Board and would play a key role in local outbreak management along with key strategic officers and the Leader of the Council.  The Board was advised that considerable progress had been made working through the health protection board.  He explained that if the BCP area was facing an increase in outbreaks and or a rise in the infection rate the role of the board would be to communicate key public health messages quickly to the public or particular communities and provide oversight and assurance on the actions being taken.  The Director of Public Health referred to proposals to build a network of trusted voices seeking support from key people in communities.  He explained that the report summarised the communications strategy and trusted voices project and provided an opportunity to share thinking and work Public Health were doing on communication and engagement.

The Chairman referred to the current difficulties being experienced with the local Covid testing centre and the problem in accessing a test locally.  She highlighted that this was a national issue as capacity was being prioritised in other areas but asked what advice could be provided to residents.  The Director of Public Health explained that it was a national issue due to lab capacity.  He reported that he had been advised that this was a temporary measure and more lab capacity would be coming on stream in the next 2-3 weeks.  The Director reported that if people do have symptoms it was important to have a test.  He indicated that he would need to understand the current situation at the Creekmoor Centre and could use public health to put out appropriate local messages.  Sally Sandcraft confirmed the position in respect of the national portal and the difficulties at a local level.  The Director of Public Heath reported that he would put out appropriate messages on social media.

The Chairman referred to the member briefing on the Local Outbreak Management Planning on 14 September 2020.  She also referred to the work that the Chief Executive was involved with at a national level.

Sally Sandcraft reported on providing communications on young people going back to school which could also be linked to the communications strategy.  Councillor Moore reported that this would be helpful to support parents with their concerns and any messaging provided by Public Health on any potential second spike would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67.