Agenda and minutes

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.

There were no declarations of interest received

Purpose: To consider the application offering unforeseen benefits for a new pharmacy at Kingsland Centre, The Broadway, Thatcham, RG19 3HN by LP SD One Hundred Seven Limited.

Mike Bridges (Consultant in Public Health) presented the report on the Unforeseen Benefits Application for the Kingsland Centre, Thatcham (Agenda Item 3).

During the debate on the item, the following points were raised:

·       Support was expressed for the proposal.

·       Concerns had been expressed at previous Health and Wellbeing Board meetings about pharmacies closing in the area.

·       It was noted that there was a new retirement living development close to the Kingsland Centre, and also there were two sheltered living facilities nearby. It was proposed that this could be highlighted in the Sub-Committee’s response to the consultation.

·       It was highlighted that this would be the only pharmacy within the town centre, which was considered to be an accessible location, although it was recognised that the Halo Pharmacy was just outside the town centre, at Crown Mead.

RESOLVED to submit the representation to Primary Care Support England in support of the application for the new pharmacy at the Kingsland Centre on behalf of the West Berkshire Health and Wellbeing Board as per the wording in Appendix B of the report, with additional text to highlight the presence of the retirement living and sheltered housing sites in the vicinity of the proposed location.

Purpose: To review representations made in relation to an application offering unforeseen benefits for a new pharmacy in Newbury Town Centre by C-A-Health Ltd and consider whether to submit any further comments in response to the matters raised in the other parties’ representations.

Mike Bridges (Consultant in Public Health) presented the report on the Application Offering Unforeseen Benefits for Newbury Town Centre (Agenda Item 4).

During the debate on the item, the following points were raised:

·       Support was expressed for the application for a new pharmacy in Newbury Town Centre.

·       There had been pharmacy closures in the area.

·       The Health and Wellbeing Board and local ward members were concerned by the pharmacy closures and the ability of local residents to access pharmaceutical services.

·       Another pharmacy in the Newbury area was seen as a positive development to help serve local residents.

·       If people were able to walk to the pharmacy rather than driving, then that was a benefit.

·       It was noted in their response to the original consultation, the Day Lewis Pharmacy had highlighted that they were a nearby alternative to Boots in Northbrook Street and that there were other pharmacies within 2 miles. Members queried the distance. It was confirmed that Wash Common Pharmacy, Boots Pharmacy at Newbury Retail Park and Tesco Pharmacy at the Tesco Extra at Pinchington Lane were all within 2 miles. However, it was noted that these were all on the southern fringe of the town and were located at the top of a steep hill, which made walking access difficult.

RESOLVED: that the Chairman should write to Primary Care Support England to make comments on points raised in the other parties’ representations made in response to the unforeseen benefits application by C-A-Health Ltd, as set out in paragraph 4.7 of this report.