Agenda and draft minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 23 January 2024.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 23 January 2024 were approved as a true and correct record of the meeting and signed by the Chairman.

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.

No declarations of interest were received.

Purpose: To consider two applications offering unforeseen benefits for new pharmacies at Gaywood Drive Shops, Newbury, RG14 2PR by Bolcer Ltd and at Kingsland Centre, The Broadway, Thatcham, RG19 3HN by LP SD One Hundred Seven Limited.

Charlotte Pavitt (Interim Consultant in Public Health) presented the report on the Unforeseen Benefits Applications for Gaywood Drive Shops, Newbury and the Kingsland Centre, Thatcham (Agenda Item 4).

During the debate, the following points were raised:

·       Support was expressed for the Gaywood Drive application, as four pharmacies had closed in the Newbury/Thatcham area in the last two years.

·       The Sub-Committee welcomed the fact that another pharmacy was looking to set up in the area, particularly with the enhanced services that they were proposing to offer, including smoking cessation, hyper-tension case-finding and substance misuse support.

·       It was noted that Gaywood Drive was close to Newbury Community Hospital, and a pharmacy in this location would be convenient for patients attending the minor injuries unit, who may require prescriptions to be fulfilled.

·       Also, it was highlighted that this pharmacy would be close to major new housing developments that were being built in Shaw. Similarly, residents of new houses being built on Lower Way might find it easier to get to Clay Hill than Thatcham Town Centre.

·       With a number of the large pharmacy chains having announced multiple closures nationally, it was considered that the opening of two new, independent pharmacies would help to build resilience for pharmacy provision across West Berkshire.

·       The proposed pharmacy at the Kingsland Centre was felt to be positive for residents, particularly given that it would be open on Sundays.

·       When the Kingsland Centre application had been discussed previously by the Sub-Committee, it had been highlighted that there were several sheltered housing developments within walking distance of the proposed location.

·       Also, it was noted that the Local Plan Review was proposing to put 1,500 homes to the north-east of Thatcham.

RESOLVED that a written representation in support of the unforeseen benefits applications at both Gaywood Drive and the Kingsland Centre be submitted to Primary Care Support England, and to delegate the final wording to the Director of Public Health in consultation with the Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment Sub-Committee.