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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber Council Offices Market Street Newbury. View directions

Contact: Gordon Oliver 

Media

Items
No. Item

32.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 296 KB

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 21 July 2022.

Minutes:

The Minutes of the meeting held on 21 July 2022 were approved as a true and correct record and signed by the Vice-Chairman subject to the following amendment - it be noted that Councillor Graham Bridgman was the Chairman for the meeting. Councillor Bridgman had also asked that for future meetings, Board Members attending remotely be shown separately from those present in the Council Chamber.

33.

Actions arising from previous meeting(s) pdf icon PDF 252 KB

To consider outstanding actions from previous meeting(s).

Minutes:

It was noted that in the minutes there had had been an action to bring a report on first aid training in schools to the next meeting, but this had not been included on the agenda and was not in the list of actions.

Action: Gordon Oliver to arrange for an update at the next meeting.

Progress on actions from the previous meetings was noted. Observations were made in relation to the following actions:

·         Action 153 – It was confirmed that Steve Welch would progress the Peer Review of the Health and Wellbeing Board.

·         Action 191 – Feedback on responses to the Healthwatch CAMHS report would be provided at the December meeting

·         Action 197 – It was noted that this would be progressed through the Place Based Partnership.

A query was raised in relation to the new throw-line cabinets that had been erected alongside the Kennet and Avon Canal and whether defibrillators could be installed alongside these. It was confirmed that this was being actively considered. It was also highlighted that an event had been run over the summer to practice using the throw-lines with the public and that future events could be arranged as needed.

A further query was raised about health issues related to swans on the canal. Numbers had increased significantly which presented a hazard for canal users and rats had been encouraged by the excess food. Local cafes had also complained about the swans. It was suggested that this could be considered by the Water Safety Partnership.

Action: Sean Murphy to raise concerns about swans with the Water Safety Partnership.

34.

Declarations of Interest pdf icon PDF 305 KB

To remind Members of the need to record the existence and nature of any personal, disclosable pecuniary or other registrable interests in items on the agenda, in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest received.

35.

Public Questions pdf icon PDF 165 KB

Members of the Health and Wellbeing Board to answer questions submitted by members of the public in accordance with the Executive Procedure Rules contained in the Council’s Constitution.

Minutes:

A full transcription of the public and Member question and answer sessions are available from the following link: Transcription of Q&As.

A)      A question standing in the name of Mr Richard Westell on the subject of recruitment of GPs and construction of new GP surgeries was answered by the Interim Place Director for the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board.

36.

Petitions pdf icon PDF 301 KB

Councillors or Members of the public may present any petition which they have received. These will normally be referred to the appropriate Committee without discussion.

Minutes:

There were no petitions presented to the Board.

37.

Membership of the West Berkshire Health and Wellbeing Board pdf icon PDF 110 KB

To agree any changes to Health and Wellbeing Board membership.

Minutes:

It was noted that membership of the Health and Wellbeing Board was on an organisational basis. A standing item was retained on the agenda to note any changes in personnel. Changes since the last meeting included:

·         Steve Welch was the Council’s new Service Director for Communities and Wellbeing;

·         Bernadine Blease had replaced Reva Stewart as the Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust’s representative, with Helen Williamson appointed as her substitute.

RESOLVED that the report be noted

38.

West Berkshire Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment pdf icon PDF 138 KB

Purpose: To present the final version of the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment for approval.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Dr Zakyeya Atcha (Public Health Consultant) presented the report on the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (Agenda Item 8).

It was noted that the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) was a statutory document. The requirement to update the PNA had been deferred due to Covid and the revised date for publishing the adopted version of the PNA was 1 October 2022. A public consultation had been carried out earlier in the year, followed by a statutory consultation on the draft PNA. All comments had received responses.

The Healthy Dialogues team was thanked for preparing such a detailed and exceptional piece of work with broad consultation. This had helped to provide a clear view of pharmaceutical needs in the area.

Members had no comments or questions relating to the PNA.

RESOLVED: to approve the statement of need for pharmaceutical services for the West Berkshire population to cover the period from 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2025.

39.

Joint Strategic Needs Assessment pdf icon PDF 147 KB

Purpose: To present the web-based Joint Strategic Needs Assessment.

Minutes:

Sarah Shildrick (Public Health Intelligence Manager) presented the report on the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (Agenda Item 9).

Members were given a demonstration of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA), which was hosted on the West Berkshire Observatory website. This was an ‘off-the-shelf’ product provided by ESRI UK, which automatically drew in data from the Office for National Statistics and other sources to provide a core data set.

There were pre-populated reports on key themes, with tables, infographics and charts. Default reports were at the local authority level, but reports could also be generated for individual wards and Lower Super Output Areas. Reports could be downloaded as images or spreadsheets. Geographic data could be displayed using the map function. A map on the homepage also could be used to provide quick ward profiles.

More detailed information could be generated using the ‘data explorer’ function. This had search and filter tools. Data could be interrogated for different geographies with area rankings, and the changes in data over time could  be shown.  Reports could also be generated for custom aggregate geographies.

Additional, locally generated data, including the Covid-19 recovery report and the JSNA summary reports. ‘People’ and ‘Place’ summary reports pulled in text from existing local strategies together with live data.

The site included a news section, which provided details of any updates. There was also a tool to allow users to provide feedback. In addition, there was a comprehensive support function.

It was stressed that the ‘needs assessments and further resources’ section would develop over time as more data was added.

The aim was to promote the JSNA widely and ensure that as many people as possible could access and use the site. The report proposed to develop JSNA superusers and to form a West Berkshire JSNA Steering Group.

Members welcomed the new site and agreed that it was important that people should be encouraged to use it.

It was noted that wards there could be huge variation within wards, with small pockets of deprivation. This made it difficult to identify people with the greatest needs. It was confirmed that superusers could help partners to drill down into the data. Also, there were more local products being developed around inequalities, which would be published on the site, which the superusers could highlight to partners.

The ability to select custom geographies was particularly welcomed, since it could benefit so many different parties. Board Members were urged to promote this to all partners involved in health and wellbeing. It was felt to bring the Health and Wellbeing Strategy to life and would allow support to be effectively targeted.

In relation to anti-social behaviour, it was noted that social media tended to highlight the worst cases and flag community concerns, but statistics were useful to be able to confirm or refute the issues raised. Also, the ability to look at custom geographies was welcomed as some issues were cross-boundary.

It was suggested that all West Berkshire Councillors should be made aware of the tool.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.

40.

Rising Cost of Living Impacts pdf icon PDF 187 KB

Purpose: To identify existing and potential impacts of the rising costs of living on residents of West Berkshire, the support that is currently available, and any gaps in provision

Minutes:

Sean Murphy (Public Protection Manager) presented the report on the Rising Cost of Living Impacts (Agenda Item 10).

It was noted that due to the fast-moving nature of events, some of the information in the paper was out of date. The report highlighted some of the potential implications of the rising costs of living together with some of the mitigations, including services provided by the Council and other local partners.

The report proposed that a sub-group of the Health and Wellbeing Board be established to consider the implications further and co-ordinate the local response, and for further reports to come to the Board.

It was noted that meetings had been held with the voluntary sector to scope out the support that they were able to provide, which could then be signposted. 

The Leader and Chief Executive of West Berkshire Council had attended a meeting of South East Leaders to discuss how local areas could respond.

It was confirmed that a ‘cost of living hub’ would be set up along the same lines as before with Covid and Homes for Ukraine. This would bring in partners such as Greenham Trust and the voluntary sector to ensure a cohesive response across the district. It was recognised that there would be impacts for residents, businesses and staff.

Due to the fast-moving nature of the situation, Members proposed that the Steering Group be empowered to take decisions from the outset rather than to do this at a subsequent meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board.

Councillor Martha Vickers indicated that she was happy to volunteer to be part of the sub-group.

It was stressed that people who were engaging residents in the community needed to be educated about the help on offer at the national and local levels. It was suggested that the Council needed to use the expertise that was already available in the community to do this. Warm space hubs were highlighted as potential locations to engage with people and promote the help that was available. Councillor Steve Masters had recently arranged a meeting on warm spaces that had brought together volunteers from across West Berkshire.

It was noted that during Covid, the hub had over 90 voluntary groups and around 3,000 volunteers, so the importance of communications was recognised. A central site with relevant information had been set up on the Council’s website which was being promoted to partners. The residents’ e-bulletin would also be a key communications tool, but it had not yet been agreed if there would be a specific bulletin around the cost of living challenges. Communications had been temporarily halted during the period of national mourning, but would be resumed shortly. It was stressed that the aim was to help people to help themselves.

It was highlighted that it was important to reach people who did not currently use the Council’s communications channels or services. Such people may be digitally and socially isolated, and potentially ethnically diverse.  It was noted that non-digital communications such as flyers and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

41.

Homes for Ukraine - West Berkshire Update pdf icon PDF 237 KB

Purpose: To update the Health and Wellbeing Board on the local response to and implementation of the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.

Minutes:

Sean Murphy (Public Protection Manager) presented the item on the Homes for Ukraine – West Berkshire Update (Agenda Item 11).

The report provided an update on the local response as it approached six months in operation. A multi-agency steering group had coordinated the response, including representation from Greenham Trust and the voluntary sector. The report also considered what support would be needed in future.

It was noted that a number of sessions had been arranged for Ukrainian guests on topics such as safeguarding, and mental health. Further sessions were proposed on trauma and mental health.

Thanks were expressed for the work of the officers and also the host families.

It was recognised that lessons had been learned from the Covid response. However, it was acknowledged that the cost of living crisis would add an additional layer of complexity to the situation in the coming months.

The support of the Council and its partners was recognised as being important as well as social support provided within the community.

It was noted that efforts had been focused on supporting the hosts as well as the Ukrainian guests. Around 95% of hosts were happy to remain as hosts. Although there would be some work required to find new hosts, there were expressions of interest within the community.

Members noted that there had been some success in finding jobs for the Ukrainian guests, with English language lessons provided.

A suggestion was made that ‘cost of living’ needed to be considered in the context of both Urkainian guests and the Afghan refugees. It was noted that West Berkshire’s rural nature created additional challenges around isolation and additional support may be needed to help with transport costs.

Councillor Jo Stewart worked for a charity that supported children and young people who had been bereaved. They were concerned about how they could support people who had been through such traumatic events. There was a need to ensure that support groups and host families had the right training and expertise to have helpful conversations. Some people were concerned that they may make the situation worse. Officers recognised the need and sessions had been organised to facilitate those conversations and to ensure that people in need could be referred to the best support..

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

42.

Arts and Culture Health and Wellbeing Projects pdf icon PDF 458 KB

Purpose: To update the Board on health and wellbeing projects being delivered by the Arts and Culture Sector

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Katy Griffiths (Director, Corn Exchange Newbury) presented the item on the Arts and Culture Health and Wellbeing Projects (Agenda Item 12).

It was noted that there had been a change in the last five years with more health and wellbeing activity – the Corn Exchange was anticipating 30,000 engagements in participatory programmes in the current year. This was a growth areas for the arts sector as a whole.

There were clear links with the Health and Wellbeing Strategy including around mental health, and there was evidence to support how engaging in arts projects was having an impact.

There was a regular programme of paid for courses and classes, with bursary places, which had been used to support Ukrainian families and Afghan refugees. Other programmes were funded from a range of external sources, including the Health and Wellbeing Board and the Surviving to Thriving Fund, as well as national funders, such as National Lottery.

Evaluation of programmes was seen as important to be able to demonstrate the impacts.

The Links to thrive Programme provided ‘arts on prescription’. Various primary care networks and their social prescribers were involved. There had been 917 prescribed attendance at arts courses designed to improve mental and tackle isolation.

A wide range of programmes were run across many different venues across the district, including rural communities, care homes and other venues. In order to reach the most vulnerable, it was recognised that it needed to be as easy as possible for people to engage. It was noted that the creative art journaling had been used successfully with adults, and was being rolled out to children.

Details were provided of the Links to Thrive programme, which provided arts on prescription. This was overseen by a steering group drawn from various partner organisations. Efforts were focused on how the programme could be developed and expanded from the pilot. 

The evaluation suggested that the programme could make a significant contribution to community health and wellbeing if it could operate at a greater scale. It could play an important role in tackling social isolation. Participants found that it addressed their particular health and wellbeing needs. It also had the potential to make a significant contribution to delivery of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

The Corn Exchanges wanted closer dialogue with the Health and Wellbeing Board and indicated that they were looking for a champion from the Board to join the Steering Group.

It was suggested that the final evaluation report could be brought to a future meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board.

Members noted that the arts were often seen as a luxury, but the benefits of these programmes were clear, and Members felt that it would be a shame if programmes had to be cut back due to lack of funding. It was suggested that there may be Councillors outside of the Health and Wellbeing Board with relevant expertise who could act as a champion.

It was noted that the Two Saints Hostel had a space for arts, but  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.

43.

Health and Wellbeing Board Conference pdf icon PDF 141 KB

Purpose: To consider plans for the annual Health and Wellbeing Board Conference.

Minutes:

Dr Zakyeya Atcha (Public Health Consultant) presented the report on the Health and Wellbeing Board Conference (Agenda Item 13).

It was noted that the Health and Wellbeing Board Conference was an annual event usually held in January.

Discussions had taken place at the Health and Wellbeing Board Steering Group about the themes, format and timing of the conference. Last year, it had been a virtual event, which had allowed for greater representation. However, there was also a call for an in-person event to allow for improved networking. Concerns had been expressed about potential impacts due to flu and Covid.]

There had been proposals for a joint event with the District Parish Conference and the Voluntary Sector Information Day. However, it was felt additional time would be needed to prepare for such as large event, so these could be considered for future events. The recommendation was for a virtual, half-day conference this time.

Proposed themes were related to the increased cost of living, including mental health, substance misuse, and food poverty, which was the theme of the Berkshire Directors of Public Health Annual Report.

Members suggested that a hybrid event might allow more people to participate and highlighted that social isolation was a key factor affecting mental health. Also, this would allow for relevant groups to have a physical presence to be able to provide information and interact with attendees.

Support was voiced for the proposed theme. It was stressed that the event needed to be coordinated with the work of the new Sub-Group to be set up to manage the impacts of the rising costs of living.

It was suggested that an update briefing go out to the Board prior to the December meeting.

The Board noted that the Corn Exchange had held a successful hybrid symposium at their 101 space in Greenham Business Park – this was offered as a possible venue.

RESOLVED to:

APPROVE the option of a hybrid conference;

AGREE that the theme of the Conference should be focused on the impacts of the increase in cost of living related to food poverty, mental health and substance misuse; and

AGREE that options be explored for a combined event with the District Parish Conference 2024 and for a joint event with wider partners in future.

44.

Health and Wellbeing Strategy Delivery Plan - Progress Report Q1 2022/23 pdf icon PDF 139 KB

To provide the performance dashboard for the delivery of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy Delivery Plan and to highlight any emerging issues

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Dr Zakyeya Atcha (Public Health Consultant) presented the report on the Health and Wellbeing Strategy Delivery Plan (Agenda Item 13).

It was highlighted that some information provided by the Integrated Care Board and Mental Health Action Group had been missed from the latest update.

This was the first progress report on the new Delivery Plan. The intention was to use the Council’s new programme management tool for future updates.

Progress had been made and was noted. Key point highlighted were as follows:

·         There had been a considerable change in personnel in the period since the Delivery Plan had been agreed, and Dr Atcha had been appointed to manage the transition period;

·         A lot of work had been undertaken with the Health and Wellbeing Board’s Sub-Groups, some of which were new;

·         The Sub-Groups were updating their terms of reference, which provided an  opportunity to refine ownership of the actions.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

45.

Members' Question(s) pdf icon PDF 304 KB

Members of the Executive to answer questions submitted by Councillors in accordance with the Executive Procedure Rules contained in the Council’s Constitution.

(Note: There were no questions submitted relating to items not included on this agenda.)

Minutes:

There were no questions submitted to the meeting.

46.

Health and Wellbeing Board Forward Plan pdf icon PDF 220 KB

An opportunity for Board Members to suggest items to go on to the Forward Plan.

Minutes:

Members were invited to comment on the Health and Wellbeing Board Forward Plan. The following changes were proposed:

·         A report on the Cost of Living Sub-Group to come to the December 2022 meeting;

·         An update on the Health and Wellbeing Conference to come to the December 2022 meeting;

·         An update on Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services to come to the December 2022 meeting;

·         The Voice of Disability report to be temporarily taken off the programme – this was due to long-term sickness and recruitment issues affecting Healthwatch West Berkshire;

·         The Healthwatch report on asylum seekers be added to the December 2022 meeting;

·         An interim update on the Social Determinants of Mental Health to be provided to the December 2022 meeting;

·         An item to be added to a future meeting on links between the Berkshire West Health and Wellbeing Strategy and the BOB Integrated Care Partnership Strategy – this would be presented by the new Berkshire West Place Director, Sarah Webster.

It was noted that there would be an update on the Integrated Care Board at the next meeting. The Board was informed that the Chief Executive of the ICB, Dr James Kent, had moved on to take up a post with NHS England, so Dr Rachel de Caux was the acting Chief Executive.

47.

Future meeting dates pdf icon PDF 304 KB

8 December 2022

23 February 2023

20 April 2023 (TBC)

(All meetings to start at 09:30am)

Minutes:

The Board was invited to note the dates of future meetings. It was highlighted that the meeting originally scheduled for 25 May 2023 would need to be brought forward to 20 April 2023 due to the planned elections.

Members thanked Belinda Seston for chairing the meeting.