To consider the committee’s work programme for the 2018-19 municipal year.

Members considered the draft work programme for the current municipal year. 

The following points were noted:

·         It would be a challenge to cover business in the time before the purdah period commenced ahead of the council election in May 2019.

·         A report on the issue of continuing healthcare was planned for the meeting on 20 September, once it had passed through the governance process for the Clinical Commissioning Group.

·         An item covering the draft domestic abuse strategy be considered on 20 September following a member’s workshop this afternoon.

·         Consideration of the annual budget was identified for the meeting on 2 October, subject to meeting the timeline for governance of this item. It was noted that the process for budget recommendations would be for the adults and children’s scrutiny committees to pass their comments to the general scrutiny committee for collective submission.

·         A report on public health activity was timely, for the new director of public health to present her proposals for delivery and to show how they fit with national programmes. The report would need to show how initiatives would have impact, and it was agreed that Healthwatch be invited to contribute to this item.   It was noted that there was a children’s scrutiny spotlight review on children’s dental health and childhood obesity which incorporated good work by Healthwatch with the public, and that there was a link to adult dental health and obesity as a family wide issue.  This item was identified for the 2 October meeting and would include public health improvement plans that had been set by the directorate. It was agreed to share these plans for the committee to identify specific focus areas, although an ensuing discussion suggested the inclusion of flu vaccination promotion for the health and care workforce.

·         It was suggested to consider the matter of the Clinical Commissioning Group and Wye Valley NHS Trust’s plans for responding to housing growth in the county and the corresponding demand for services. It was noted that the effects across the Sustainability and Transformation Partnership footprint would need to be included in this.   Timing for this item would be the 29 January 2019 meeting.

·         An update on Home First be included on 19 March 2019, which would include input from Healthwatch on their work in this area.

·         A service review on Addaction to be included on the agenda for 19 March 2019.

·         An update on WISH was suggested, which could be covered by way of a briefing note.

RESOLVED

That

a)    subject to the additions and amendments discussed, the draft work programme for 2018-19 be agreed; and

b)    where recommendations have been made to the executive, these be collated on an action tracking document for review and follow-up.