Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed Colin Pill to his first meeting since formal appointment as the Healthwatch representative to the Board.

All Members who believe they have a Disclosable Pecuniary or other Pecuniary or non pecuniary Interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting must declare that interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in Section 3 paragraphs 3.25 – 3.27 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 3.28 of the Code.

The Chair will ask Members to confirm that they do not have a declarable interest.

All Members making a declaration will be required to complete a Declaration of Interests at Meetings form detailing the nature of their interest.

None were declared.

Resolved -  That the minutes of the last meeting of the Board held on 17^th July 2013 be approved as a correct record, subject to an amendment to minute 17 [Healthwatch Slough Update] to the effect that Colin Pill had been appointed Chair of Healthwatch Slough rather than elected.

To review and note report (Roger Parkin)  (5.05  - 5.25pm approx.)

The Board considered an update on all current Climate Change and Carbon Management projects and achievements in the Borough.

The Climate Change Priority Delivery Group (PDG) was committed to achieving on behalf of the Board the aims of the Slough Joint Wellbeing Strategy for environment and regeneration to:

·  Reduce energy consumption, water usage and the amount of carbon emissions generated

·  Improve public transport, cycling and walking facilities to increase use of sustainable forms of transport

This took the form of working with larger companies and employers to reduce carbon emissions arising from their activities and through the internal carbon Management Group looking at reducing emissions from Council owned properties including housing.  An appendix to the report set out progress on 18 projects currently being undertaken.  Of particular note, the Board received details of the electric vehicle charging points being installed (making use of financial assistance available), and the Slough Bike Hire pilot scheme which would be sponsored by Anesco Ltd for the first year.  The scheme was due to start with three hubs (with 20 bikes at each) at Slough station, Burnham station and at the main Segro building.  Extending the scheme through increasing the number of bikes and hubs would be considered for the future, as would such possibilities as powered cycles.

The Board noted  ongoing work with schools on initiatives to encourage them to reduce emissions and to promote recycling among school children.  It was hoped to build on this to get the message across more widely to families.  Also, activities under the Home Energy Conservation Act were continuing, with a view to maximising energy conservation measures in residential properties in the town.

Resolved -  That the report be noted.

To review and note report (Jane Wood/David Collier)  (5.25 – 5.45pm approx.)

Consideration was given to an update on progress with the development of the Children and Young People’s Partnership Board (CYPPB), a Priority Delivery Group (PDG) of the Board, and the draft 2013-15 refresh of its Children and Young People’s Plan.

In November 2012, a process had begun aimed at strengthening the CYPPB and streamlining the Board structure, with lead officers re-assigned for each of the priority leads.  The five priorities (each with a number of objectives) were:

• Priority 1: Stay Safe
• Priority 2: Early Help
• Priority 3: Good Physical and Emotional Health
• Priority 4: High Quality and Effective Education
• Priority 5: Support for Young People

The refresh had centred on the identification of fewer, more focused partnership objectives under each priority that are based on both need and the requirement for multi-agency collaboration to achieve them.  Outcomes and milestones had been simplified which would enable effective performance management.  The draft Refresh had been approved by the CYPPB on 5^th September and was now being finalised for publication.

The Board noted the objective under priority 4 to increase registration for and take up of free school meals.  It was reported that figures from the DWP indicated that there were 1,500 children in Slough not registered for free school meals.  Given that each registration attracted a ‘pupil premium’ of £900, there were considerable resources not reaching Slough schools.  While the Government had announced that every child in reception, year one and year two classes in state funded schools in England will be provided with a hot meal at lunch time, funded by the government, to improve educational attainment and save families money, non-registration would still be a problem particularly in the 13-15 age group where take up was very low.  It was suggested that there was an opportunity to work towards this objective through contact with schools, parents and teenagers.

Also under priority 4, the Board noted that there had been significant improvements in the level of development in the  Early Years Foundation Stage, in the progression of children between Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 and in the Key Stage 2 results.  A question was posed as to how these results compared with the national average.  It was recognised that the objectives under priority 4 looked to support not only attainment but all the work undertaken in schools.

Resolved -  That the report, the work done to refresh Slough’s CYPP and the identification of focused partnership objectives for 2013-15, be noted.

To review and note the Annual Report (Paul Burnett)and Business Plan 2013-2016  (5.45 – 6.10pm approx.)

Consideration of this item was deferred until a later meeting.

To consider report (Nazia Idries)  (6.10 – 6.35pm approx.)

The Board considered a draft outline of the place shaping work programme for Chalvey and Foxborough wards and an update on the outcomes and actions since the last meeting.

A meeting had been held at Montem Primary School in Chalvey with a number of SWB members present, to draft a programme of work to be taken forward in the autumn term. A number of ideas had come forward mainly linked the development of a ‘passport to citizenship’ booklet containing activity pages for each partner, to encourage participation and engagement of the community of Chalvey and Montem Primary School.  The key activities designed to achieve outcome identified by each partner organisation could include:

• The set up of a mobile clinic at the school to encourage GP registration amongst communities with low GP registration rates.
• Walks to a local health clinic to highlight the importance of health checks and encourage better oral health
• Awareness raising of fire safety concerns amongst vulnerable homes
• Walks along paths to reduce perception and fear of crime
• Meet your local Councillor

The Board welcomed the idea of the passport to citizenship, and agreed that offering children the opportunity to collect stamps in their passport in recognition of undertaking the various community activities could be very popular.  Suggestions for possible activities which could be added included borrowing a library book, walking to school, being involved in volunteering (more suitable for parents), completing an MMR catch-up, visiting a local business etc.  Neil Prior suggested that if a digital element could be added to the passport, there may be some funding support available through O2.  Also, there was a possibility of inviting an O2 work team to get involved in a practical project such as footpath clearance and tidy up.  The citizenship pack provided for adults may also have content which would lend itself to making further activity pages for the passport.  Deputy Superintendent Registrar Yvonne Summersgill could provide advice/information.

The Board was informed that it was proposed to set up a meeting with Foxborough Primary School, to which all Board members would be invited, to develop a similar programme of work based on issues specific to that area.  While the work programme template would be similar, it would be important to ensure that the content was tailored to meet the needs of the Foxborough community.

Resolved –

(a)  That progress be noted.

(b)  That the draft outline place shaping work programme for Chalvey and Foxborough be agreed, together with the additional suggestions for consideration.

(c)  That a further progress report be made to the next meeting, to include a dummy of the passport developed.

To consider report (Su Gordon-Graham)  (6.35 – 6.55pm approx.)

The Board considered a report advising the NHS allocation of funds to be transferred to local authorities and the section 256 agreement reached over the application of those funds.  Appendices to the report set out information on the NHS Heatherwood and Wexham Park Accident and Emergency Winter Plan Commitment and the Health and Social Care Integration Transformation Fund.

Agreement for the original commitments for these transferred funds (which commenced in 2011/12) were made at the Slough Collaborative Commissioning Board.  The agreed investment programme for 2013/14 provides for a continuation of the existing programme along with further investment in the priority areas which support the agreed key priority areas of:

• Development of Intermediate Care and Reablement
• Equipment and Assisted Technology
• Maintaining current eligibility and levels of support
• Project/Management support of the programme

The report reproduced the section 256 memorandum of agreement detailing how the £1.84m forming the 2013/14 programme was to be spent. 

The Board noted that the Heatherwood and Wexham Park A&E Winter Plan Commitment provided for an additional £6.644m resource allocated by NHS England.  This one-off payment was to develop robust plans to increase capacity to meet the NHS commitment of patients being able to be seen within 4 hours of attendance at A&E.  The Urgent Care Board involving all partners had the responsibility ensure the allocation was spent and was managing this through three distinct workstreams:

• Urgent care access
• Wexham Park patient flow
• Discharge and out of hospital

An evaluation model was being put in place to see how well the improvements were working.  The Urgent Care Board had requested better engagement with the Bucks Authorities with a view to reducing potential difficulties arising from delayed discharges.  A progress report would be made to the next meeting by David Williams from the CCG.

The Statement on the health and social care Integration Transformation Fund arose from the June 2013 Spending Round.  This heralded the introduction of a single pooled budget for health and social care services to work more closely together in local areas, based on a plan agreed between the NHS and local authorities.  While this would not come into effect in full until 2015/16, two year plans for 2014/15 and 2015/16 needed to be provided to ensure a smooth transition.  The figure of £8.8m for Slough was not therefore ‘new money’ and would require a great deal of work around improving outcomes and delivering efficiencies.  A further report would be made to the Board in January 2014.

Resolved –

(a)  That the allocation of funds to be transferred to local authorities as set out in the section 256 agreement be approved.

(b)  That the reports on the A&E Winter Plan Commitment and the Health and Social Care Integration Transformation Fund be noted.

To note report (Lise Llewellyn)  (6.55 – 7.15 pm approx.)

Consideration was given to a report setting out an update on the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination catch up programme and the progress the Thames Valley area team was making in delivering the national target.

The Department of Health, Public Health England and NHS England had jointly launched a campaign aiming to drive up demand for MMR vaccination.  This was in response to an increase in the number of measles cases in England over the last two years, where the number of confirmed cases in 2012 totalling 1,920, the highest since 1994.  The adverse publicity relating to MMR vaccine had been at its height between 1998 and 2003, affecting the age group that is now 10 to 16 years old.  Larger numbers of these children were unimmunised or partially immunised against measles, which was borne out by the high rate of cases in teenagers.

One dose of MMR vaccine is 90-95% effective at protecting against measles infection, while two doses will protect 99% of those immunised.  The national target was to immunise 95% of children with one dose of vaccine by the age of 2 years and two doses by the age of 5 years. 

Phase One of the MMR catch up campaign had begun in April 2013 including a range of measures aimed at reaching a target of 95% of the 10 to 16 year old age group to have received at least one dose of MMR by September 2013.  Figures from a survey (based on a sample of GP Practices) during week ending 27^th July 2013 showed that Slough still had 14.1% unprotected against measles, which compared unfavourably with all other CCG areas in Berkshire with the exception of South Reading.  Although there was estimated to be some under-recording in these figures, the aspiration of 95% in the target age group was unlikely to be met by September.  Phase two of the catch up campaign was underway, including a further push with general practice to encourage participation in the programme, to ‘clean’ data to ensure complete and up to date recording by GPs, for further targeted publicity to be carried out and to deliver school based immunisations to plug gaps in GP provision.  In addition work would continue to increase uptake of MMR in the under 5s.

The Board considered it was important to persevere with the campaign, to aim for 90% protection and get nearer to the figures for the rest of Berkshire, and to consider whether there were more effective ways of communication with families and communities to get the message across.

Resolved –

(a)  That the progress of the MMR catch up programme be noted, including the approach to be taken in phase 2.

(b)  That a further report be made to the next meeting, to include the results of the most recent survey figures in order that progress could be monitored.

To receive the self-assessment request and Slough return  (7.15 – 7.30 pm approx.)

The Board considered an approach by the Department of Health seeking assistance in a self-assessment exercise for the implementation of the Adult Autism Strategy.  The purpose was to assess progress on the implementation of the 2010 Adult Autism Strategy, monitor progress made since the baseline survey in 2012, and provide evidence of examples of good progress that can be shared.  The Board received a copy of the self-assessment return that had been submitted.

It was recognised that there was more work to do to ensure more accurate recording of adults with autism and their needs, for example housing and employment.  More interaction with people with autism and their carers would assist in providing a more accurate picture.  The CCG was represented on the Slough Autism Partnership Board but a greater commitment from them and other partners to contribute to the work of the Board would be welcome.  It was noted that a further report would be made in due course when the revised Adult Autism Strategy had been prepared.

Resolved -   That the report be noted.

To receive report (Greg O’Brien and Nazia Idries)  (7.30 – 7.35pm approx.)

Consideration was given to an action progress report and future work programme for the Board.  Most of the actions approved to date had been completed or were in hand.

In relation to the work programme, this was subject to review given the very full agenda lined up for the next two meetings.  Specific changes were noted to the effect that the Adult Safeguarding Annual Report would be presented at the 13^th November 2013 meeting and the Children’s Annual Safeguarding Report would be presented at the 29^th January 2014 meeting.

Resolved -  That the report be noted.

13^th November 2013

The date of the next meeting was confirmed as 13^th November 2013.