Agenda and minutes

Decision: The minutes of the meeting Thursday, 18 March 2021 were approved as a correct record.

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any pecuniary interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda.

If you have a pecuniary interest you must withdraw from the meeting. Normally you should leave the room before the business starts to be discussed. You do, however, have the same right to speak as a member of the public and may remain in the room to enable you to exercise that right and then leave immediately. In either case you must not seek to improperly influence a decision on the matter.

There were no declarations of interest.

Members of the public who have requested the opportunity to ask a question(s) on an item on the agenda will be asked to put their question(s) to the Committee.  Each member of the public will be allowed to ask one supplementary question within his/her allocated 3 minutes. 

There were no public questions.

To consider the Executive Cabinet minutes of the meetings held on 25 March 2021 and 17 June 2021 (Enclosed)

To consider the Executive Cabinet minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 25 March 2021 (enclosed).

Decision: The minutes of the meeting Thursday, 25 March 2021 were noted.

To consider the Executive Cabinet minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 17 June 2021.

Decision: The minutes of the meeting Thursday, 17 June 2021 were noted.

To view the latest notice of Executive Decisions click here:

https://democracy.chorley.gov.uk/documents/l921/Printed%20plan%20Notice%20of%20Executive%20Decisions%20-%20published%20June%202021.pdf?T=4

The document is also attached and correct as of 23 June 2021.

In response to a question relating to the Leisure Centre contract, Chris Sinnott told that the procurement process resulted in the preferred bidder to withdraw due to the impact of Covid-19 in August 2020. The Council took the decision to take over direct management, this happened 30^th September 2020, and all employees were now under Council employment. Options for the management was presented to full Council in April 2021 and the decision made was for the council to establish a Wholly Owned Company to manage the leisure centre.

It was recommended that September or October was a good time to explore the Wholly Owned Company to allow time for it establish and begin operation.

 Decision: The notice of Executive Decisions was noted.

To consider the Work Plan of Lancashire County Council’s Health Scrutiny Committee. The Council’s representative on the Committee will give a verbal update.

The Committee welcomed Councillor Alex Hilton who attended via Microsoft Teams.

Councillor Hilton introduced himself to the new members of the committee and explained his background within the NHS and summarised the content and presentations of the Lancashire County Council’s Health Scrutiny.

There were significant changes occurring to the National Health Service. The Our Health Our Care had been discontinued in favour of Integrated Care Systems.

Healthier Lancashire and South Cumbria partnership of health care organisations provided a presentation and explained the white paper for NHS reform that was expected to have a second reading in parliament in July. The process to start in October and be completed by April 2022. The Integrated Care Systems in Lancashire and South Cumbria was to be split into five sub regions, with Chorley part of Central Lancashire. Covid-19 was acknowledged to be potential issue to the roll out of the programme.

This decision was made to slow the process and reverse the competitive nature between NHS Foundation Trusts and private sector providers and to encourage collaboration. With the Integrated Care Systems, the Third Sector – voluntary and community groups would play a partner role.

The Health Scrutiny Committee were able to use National NHS waiting list figures as part of their programme to measure improvements.

It was understood that with reorganisation came disruption and this would not be an exception.

The Lancashire Health Scrutiny Committee received a presentation from the Lancashire County Council’s Director of Adult Services in relation to collaborating with neighboring councils to form hospital alliances, similar to Manchester.

It was understood that Covid-19 had a significant impact on social care, but the full extent was still unknown.

Work was outlined to be completed around inequalities for those with learning difficulties, and legislation was expected in April 2022.

There were concerns with the workload of the Health Scrutiny Committee and a shortlist of work was to be created.

Abdul Razaq spoke about public health, Covid-19 and vaccination response.

There was questions and concerns about winter planning set for October rather than sooner, especially with the need for potential Covid-19 boosters, and flu vaccines. There were concerns that the needs of high intensity users were not being met.

Members asked if the move from CCG’s to Integrated Care Systems would lead to regionalisation of services and if there was a risk that accountability would be lost. Members followed up and felt that there was also a risk of regional based hospitals, many from more deprived areas will not be able to get there.

Councillor Hilton was uncertain at present but it was possible, but he would ensure that the views of Chorley were represented throughout the process.

Councillor Hilton added that Covid-19 had been a predominant feature of the health landscape, the aim was to get as many vaccinated as possible, but there were concerns about the backlog of routine care and that since Covid-19 started.

Decision: The update was noted.

Deputy Chief Executive to present an update to Members.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee welcomed Chris Sinnott, Deputy Chief Executive to give a presentation highlighting the efforts of the Council during the Covid-19 pandemic.

(Councillor Kim Snape joined 19:01)

Programmes were developed and rolled out to ensure those shielding was given the support needed. Staff accepted additional responsibilities to support residents.

(Councillor June Molyneux joined 19:03)

A significant amount of planning, effort and focused work went into the Lancashire Resilience Forum (LRF), a partnership made up of organisations that work together to prepare and respond to emergencies in Lancashire. The LRF involved the emergency services; local authorities; health agencies; Environment Agency; Voluntary groups; transport providers; utility providers and local businesses to ensure resources were effectively used.

The initial response was to keep staff safe and service running effectively, ensuing the workplace was Covid-19 secure and that staff were able and confidently work from home.

Democratic Services ensured that Councillors were up to date and work could continue safely.

Over 3000 households were supported by volunteers within the Council and the Community. 4700 calls were made to those on the shielding list and 1100 food parcels were delivered to the community. Many residents reported a change of perspective in how they viewed the Council.

Businesses in the Borough were significantly impacted, over £40m was processed in grants, 4000 businesses were supported directly, over 70 businesses attended webinars, and 40 booked appointments with advisors to receive help and support throughout the pandemic.

A new team was established and became one of the first to take on the Zero Covid-19 Programme. The team took over the role of track and trace with a success rate of 95% which was greater than the national average. The team assisted the local primary care network with the roll out of lateral flow testing and now the vaccination bus.

The Council’s core services, and projects have been ongoing. The process of shared services continued with reviews conducted of terms and conditions, pay grades, and agreed expansion.

Challenges included the quarter four performance with indicators off track. There had been an increase of 16-17-year old’s not in employment, education, or training (NEET). Ongoing work was required to support the recovery of the local economy. There was an increased number of young people reporting concerns with their mental health with an increase in reported self-harm.

Council staff to begin a phased return scheme from the 19July, but there was uncertainty around the lifting of restrictions. A workplace strategy had been developed exploring how staff could adapt post Covid-19 and work in patterns that fit with the shared services agenda across Chorley and South Ribble. An emphasis was placed on ensuring staff felt that they were receiving the right amount of support, while maintaining the flexibility and balance within the organisation.

Members thanked Chris Sinnott for attending and presenting to the Committee, an issue was raised about the conflict between resolving issues inside the homes of residents and policies of keeping staff safe. It was acknowledged that there  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.OS.30

To receive and consider the report of the Director of Governance (enclosed).

Members acknowledged the work that scrutiny completed in the previous year and thanked officers for their assistance.

Decision: The report was noted.

To consider and discuss the Scrutiny Work Programme for 2021/22

The Chair updated Members of the Committee following the Overview and Scrutiny Performance Panel, he acknowledged the questions and format of the Panel but told that following a meeting with Officers, no changes would be made, but apologised for not bringing in Councillor Lowe to give the report.

Members agreed that the following topics would be considered for the Work Programme.

-       Enforcement

o   Planning,

o   Environmental Health with noise or litter

o   Staffing, targets, and performance indicators

-       Cycling, pathways, and routes.

-       Review of Select Move

-       Chorley Magistrates Court

-       Local level health provisions

It was acknowledged that members would like to explore cardboard recycling but agreed that the Committee would wait for the next Quarter Report.

Decision: The Work Programme was noted.