Agenda and minutes

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Contact: Nicholas Pontone  01753 875120

Items
No. Item

25.

Declarations of Interest

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.

 

Minutes:

No declarations were made.

26.

Minutes of the last meeting held on 15th July 2015 pdf icon PDF 96 KB

Minutes:

Resolved –  That the minutes of the meeting held on 15th July 2015 be approved as a correct record.

27.

Safer Slough Partnership (SSP) Strategic Assessment 2014/15 pdf icon PDF 91 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Board considered a report on the work of the Safer Slough Partnership (SSP) in tacking crime and community safety priorities, including the annual Strategic Assessment 2014/15.

 

The assessment included headline performance information on crime types in 2014, reviewed key trends and identified risks, which allowed the Partnership understand and address crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB) issues in Slough.  Reported crime had fallen by 7.3% in 2014 with burglary down by 27% and ASB by 22%.  A small increase in violent crime was reported, the first rise since 2010, however it was reported that progress was being made and Slough was performing relatively well against its comparators.  The Board noted that the assessment identified the priorities for 2015/16 which included reducing violent crime and the contribution alcohol made to violent crime and domestic abuse; supporting work around child sexual exploitation (CSE) and female genital mutilation (FGM); tackling serious and organised crime and reducing youth crime and re-offending.

 

The SSP had established a task and finish group to review the activities of the partnership including governance, strategic focus and operational working.  The group would report back in November 2015 with recommendations for the proposed future structure.  The Strategic Assessment would also be refreshed to ensure the priorities remained current.  This would contribute to a new three-year rolling Community Safety Strategy from April 2016 setting out a clear plan and targets for the partnership.

 

The Board noted the Strategic Assessment and discussed a range of issues raised including the relative priority on CSE and FGM with honour based violence; the Community Alcohol Partnership pilot work in Slough; and the recent changes to crime recording statistics.  The SSP used the evidence and data from partners in agreeing priorities and was undertaking research in assessing the prevalence of CSE, working with partners to understand emerging crime trends.  In relation to crime statistics, the way the Police recorded violent crime had recently changed which effectively meant that the data was being rebased from 2014/15 and as all areas would be similarly effected it would still be possible to measure relative performance.  Members agreed that it was important to clearly communicate the impact this would have on Slough’s crime figures.

 

(Superintendent Bowden joined the meeting)

 

The Board recognised that Slough was performing well both in terms of reducing crime overall and in comparison to statistic neighbours, however, it was also felt that fear of crime remained a concern of residents.  There was a significant opportunity to reduce the fear of crime, improve the image of the town to live and work in and boost business investment.  Members agreed that the forthcoming three-year rolling strategy should be underpinned with a strong and proactive communication plan that emphasised the positive messages about falling crime in the town.

 

Resolved –

 

(a)  That the content of the Safer Slough Strategic Assessment for 2014/15 be noted.

 

(b)  That the comments of the Board, including on the focus of safeguarding activity and developing a communications strategy to promote Slough’s positive story in terms of crime and community safety, be taken forward as part of the development of the new 3 year Community Safety Strategy.

 

(c)  That the proposed review of the SSP be noted.

28.

Local Government Declaration on Tobacco Control pdf icon PDF 146 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Board considered a report seeking approval for Slough Borough Council to sign up to the Local Government Declaration on Tobacco Control and consider how the principles of the declaration could be promoted amongst partners.

 

Tobacco was the single biggest cause of premature death and of health inequalities.  The latest figures for Slough indicated that 22% of adults over 16 smoked in 2014, equating to 22,850 people, and in addition to the health impacts there was a significant cost to the NHS.  Cheap and illegal tobacco was a major problem as was the growing trend of shisha smoking, particularly by young people.  Signing the Local Government Declaration on Tobacco Control would be a statement of the council’s commitment to ensure tobacco control was a mainstream part of its public health work and that it took appropriate action to protect its employees and the local community from the harm caused by smoking, for example through enforcement activity.

 

The Board asked what more could be done to raise awareness of the risks of shisha smoking amongst young people and it was agreed that more joint working could be done between smoking cessation teams, the council and health providers.  It was also suggested that the negative impacts of chewing/spit tobacco also be included in the Council’s public health activity and messaging.

 

Approximately 1000 people were utilising smoking cessation services locally and there was a clear link between deprivation and the prevalence of smoking.  The Board discussed the evidence base and models which had proved successful in changing behaviour.  It was suggested that a needs analysis be carried out of the barriers preventing ‘hardened’ smokers from stopping.  A range of other issues were discussed including the use of e-cigarettes and the work being done in schools.

 

The Board agreed that the Council should sign the Declaration on Tobacco Control and noted that amongst other actions the Council had committed to be a smokefree council across all its sites from 1 April 2016.  Members discussed the experiences of partner organisations that had implemented similar policies and agreed that good practice be shared in terms of PR, communication, operational issues and management approaches.  The recent experience of Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was noted and their successful implementation had included a staged approach which also provided appropriate support and promoted positive messages to staff and patients.

 

Resolved –

 

(a)  That the Leader of the Council, Chief Executive and Assistant Director of Public Health sign the Local Government Declaration on Tobacco Control on behalf of the Council.

 

(b)  That partners and Council departments further consider how the principles of the Declaration could be developed and promoted more widely, including by working together to raise awareness of growing public health risks of shisha smoking and chewing tobacco.

 

(c)  That the experience and good practice of partners be shared as the Council implemented its commitment to become a smoke free council by 1st April 2016.

29.

Mental Health Crisis Care Concordat pdf icon PDF 58 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

An update report was received on the Mental Health Crisis Care Concordat and the progress made on the Berkshire Action Plan that had been previously considered by the Board.  Members noted Appendix A to the report that set out the progress made to date and any further comments or queries to Slough Clinical Commissioning Group.

 

Resolved –

 

(a)  That the report be noted.

 

(b)  That any questions or comments from Board members be forwarded directly to officers at Slough CCG.

30.

Climate Change Priority Delivery Group (PDG) - Climate Change and Carbon Management Projects and Achievements pdf icon PDF 64 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chair of the Climate Change Priority Delivery Group introduced a comprehensive update on the current climate change and carbon management projects and achievements.

 

The key activities of the PDG during the period October 2014 to July 2015 were summarised and included the Council’s adoption of a new Carbon Management Plan 2015-2020, tendering for Heat Network Funding and consideration about how the PDG could work more closely with local businesses to reduce CO2 emissions.  The PDG was in the process of producing a new Climate Change Strategy.  Progress made on carbon management and climate change contracts was detailed in Appendix A to the report, which was noted by the Board.

 

Members discussed a range of issues including the success of the Council’s electric vehicle pilot, the work being done with First buses to introduce electric buses, electric taxis and the cycle hire scheme.  Emissions from transport were also being tackled through key schemes such as the Slough Mass Rapid Transit bus system and investment in east-west cycle routes.  Carbon emissions had reduced significantly over the period of the previous plan and the new plan was targeting a further 20% reduction.  The Council had sought to reduce its emissions in a number of ways which included reducing the size and energy efficiency of its buildings, reducing waste and investing in new technology such as LED street lights.  The PDG had an active membership and set of projects and any further ideas from the Wellbeing Board were invited.

 

The Board gave particular consideration to the further measures that could be taken to reduce the number of car journeys for school travel.  In addition to the local transport problems caused by growing car use, the Board were concerned about the health impacts on children and parents arising from such inactivity.  The Chair of Panel explained that actions undertaken included the use of mobile camera enforcement vehicles near to schools and support for travel planning but that there was significant resistance from parents to change behaviour.  It was recognised that the ‘school run’ was a complex problem to solve, particularly given the fragmentation of school governance and pressures on school places, however partners were encouraged to give consideration to the additional actions that could be taken.  Suggestions included redoubling efforts with schools to spread good practice on school travel planning and working with the voluntary and community sector, through the current recommissioning process, and businesses to play a bigger role in providing new and innovative school transport schemes.

 

At the conclusion of the discussion, the Board noted the report and thanked the Chair of the PDG for the update.  Members were invited to provide any further thoughts and ideas to the PDG.  It was also requested that further information be circulated on progress towards the headline targets for carbon management and climate change.

 

Resolved –

 

(a)  That the report be noted.

 

(b)  That further action be considered in relation to school travel plans to minimise the number of journeys taken by car to reduce emissions and improve health and wellbeing.

 

(c)  That further information be circulated on the progress being made on the overarching strategic targets and outcomes in relation to climate change and carbon management.

 

(d)  That Board members provide any further ideas on potential projects to the Chair of the PDG.

31.

'Mental Health 4 Life: Building Resilient Communities' - Slough CAMHS Strategy (2015-19) pdf icon PDF 129 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

An information report was considered that updated Members on the Slough Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Strategy 2015-19: ‘Mental Health 4 Life: Building Resilient Communities’.  A draft of the strategy had been produced following consultation with key partners and service areas and further consultation was underway with a view to seeking the endorsement of the Children & Young People’s Partnership Board and the Slough Wellbeing Board in January 2016.

 

Resolved –  That the report be noted.

32.

Care Act 2014 Progress Update pdf icon PDF 85 KB

Minutes:

The Board considered a report that provided a progress update on the implementation of the Care Act 2014 and the Council’s development plans in the social care reform programme.

 

The Act and subsequent reform programme would bring about a fundamental change in the way the Council delivered adult social care.  The reform programme included a portfolio of projects such as the department’s transformation, financial savings plans and embedding the new responsibilities under the Act.  There would be a shift from traditional care often delivered at a point of crisis to one where people were managing their own care and supported at an earlier stage.  Significant progress had been made since the first phase of the Act came into force in April 2015 and it was noted that whilst demand for services was ‘as expected’ it was too early to fully understand the demand patterns and emerging trends.

 

The Board recognised the challenges and risks in undertaking the reform programme given the high demand and financial pressures across the country.  Members asked what was being done to learn from other authorities about how they were remodelling services and it was noted that there were case studies and good practice sharing, and the emerging health and adult social care devolution deals starting the Manchester would be closely monitored.  Members discussed the change of approach and the ‘different conversation’ with people to understand and provide the support people needed.

 

A range of other issues were discussed including the role of the VCS recommissioning, support for carers and the provision of information and advice.  After discussion, the Board agreed to note the report.

 

Resolved –  That the report be noted.

33.

Action Progress Report and Future Work Programme pdf icon PDF 70 KB

To note.

Minutes:

The Board noted the Action Progress Report and requested that the Work Programme for forthcoming meetings to be updated and circulated to the Board.

 

Resolved –  That the Report and Future Work Programme be noted.

34.

Date of Next Meeting

11th November 2015

Minutes:

Resolved –  That the next meeting be confirmed as 11th November 2015.