Agenda and minutes

The Minutes of the meeting held on 12 November 2013 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

The Board was advised that no public questions had been received.

The minutes from the last Safer Halton Partnership (SHP) meeting held on 24 September 2013 were presented to the Board for information.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Communities, which introduced, through the submission of a structured thematic performance report, the progress of key performance indicators, milestones and targets relating to health in Quarter 2 of 2013-14. The report also included a description of factors which were affecting the service.

        The Chairman reported that he was a member of the Police and Crime Panel and the last meeting had been inquorate and as a result members had been asked to nominate a substitute.  After discussion, it was agreed that  Councillor M Lloyd-Jones be nominated as a substitute Member of the Police and Crime Panel for Halton.

Page 22 – clarity was sought on premium pay savings as it was reported that staffing expenditure was over budget profile by £104,000 at the end of the second quarter.  In response it was replied that premium pay was for staff who were paid over and above their normal pay i.e. for key holder duties and Saturday and Sunday enhancements etc.  In addition, it was reported that currently there was a lack of consistency in the Council for such payments.  It was also reported that there was a low turnover of staff at the Stadium and they did not receive premium pay, so savings were having to be made elsewhere. The Chairman reported that the Budget Working Party were considering premium pay.

RESOLVED: That

(1)        the report and comments raised be noted; and

(2)        Councillor M. Lloyd-Jones be nominated as the  substitute Member of the Police and Crime Panel.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Communities, which provided Members with the initial draft of the Communities Directorate Business Plan 2014 – 2017 for approval.

The Board was advised that each Directorate of the Council was required to develop a medium-term business plan, in parallel with the budget, that was subject to annual review and refresh. 

The Board was further advised that key priorities for development or improvement in 2014 – 2017 had been agreed by Members at a briefing meeting on 2^nd December 2013 and were now reflected in the draft plans as follows:-

·                 Reduce alcohol abuse and domestic violence;

·                 Safeguarding; and

·                 Consumer Protection.

It was reported that Directorate Business Plans would be subject to annual review and refresh in order that they remained fit for purpose taking account of any future change in circumstances, including any future funding announcements that may emerge.

The Board noted that plans could only be finalised when budget decisions had been confirmed in March and that some target information may need to be reviewed as a result of final outturn data becoming available post March 2014.

        The Chairman highlighted that currently the Business Planning document was only a draft for consideration by Board Members.  The Chairman also encouraged Members to send any comments they may have on the draft plan via email so that they could be included.

        Page 44 – School Dinner Money – Clarity was sought on the length of the trial and concern was raised that this could have a negative impact on poorer families, as they may not be able to afford to top up the card.  In response, it was reported that the trial was taking place in four schools; two with good levels of cash income and two with high levels of free school meals.  The card could be loaded in various ways; via the phone, the Post Office, paypal, and pay point etc.  The trial had gone well so far and the schools preferred it as it reduced the amount of cash paid into the schools.  It was anticipated that this would be rolled out to a further four schools and the trial would be in operation from February half term until the summer.  It was emphasised that a child would not be refused a meal because they had been unable to top up their card due to financial difficulties and it was hoped that the scheme would be a success.

RESOLVED: That the report, associated appendices and comments raised be noted.

 The Board considered a report of the Director of Public Health which gave Members an update on the safety and control of cosmetic treatments.

The Board was advised considerable progress had been made in addressing illegal tattooists i.e. the health and safety team were using new powers which allowed Local Authorities to obtain a court order to intervene where a premises, person or thing presented a risk of contamination or infection. Local authorities, however, had to apply to a magistrate for a court order and demonstrate that a risk to health existed.

It was reported that since January 2013 there had been a significant increase in the number of complaints and information received concerning illegal tattooists, which also included the parents of a child who had been tattooed underage. Many of the tattooists had been advertising their services on the internet. 

The team had also become aware that some local authorities in Wales had been utilising new Public Health powers to enter premises and seize tattooing equipment from illegal tattooists. After consulting with the Welsh Local Authorities, it had been decided to try this approach in Halton.

Furthermore, it was reported that in the last six months the team had executed seven warrants with support from Cheshire Police and seized tattooing equipment from five illegal tattooists. In all cases the tattooists were found to have been operating in unhygienic conditions without adequate facilities for disinfection and other aspects of infection control.  The team would continue to utilise this approach to tackle illegal tattooists and to complement this direct action, a publicity campaign using social media would be launched.

It was reported that in August 2013, the Health and Safety Team with support from Trading Standards had undertook a test purchase operation on nine sunbed operators, using a 16 year old volunteer.  Unfortunately, five of the operators had failed the test purchase and allowed the 16 year old to purchase a sunbed session.  All five of the operators had been formally interviewed and after admitting the offence had been issued with a caution.  They had all given assurances that they were aware of the law and that they would improve their practices to ensure underage persons were prevented from using sunbeds.

        The Board noted that currently 90.3% of Halton premises were broadly compliant with the law in the National Food Hygiene Rating Scheme.  The Board also noted the positive report published by the Weekly News.

The Board noted the emerging issues and priorities in respect of food safety (horsemeat and food authenticity; counterfeit alcohol and DNP in fat burning supplements).

          The following comments arose from the discussion:-

·             Clarity was sought on the new powers provided by the Health Protection (Part 2A Orders) Regulations 2010 on whether they could buy new equipment and set up again.  In response, it was reported that the Part 2A Orders were to protect public health and if individuals contravene the Order they could get a £20,000 fine or 6 months imprisonment.  It was also reported  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Communities, which gave the Members an update on the key issues and progression of the agenda for safeguarding ‘vulnerable adults’ (i.e. adults at risk of abuse) in Halton.

The Board was advised that an internal peer challenge review had been undertaken during June – August 2013 based on the ‘Standards for Adult Safeguarding Peer Reviews’. A Peer Challenge Team had been formed along with a number of Lead Officers identified to take forward the review. As part of the review, Lead Officers undertook a self-assessment against the Adult Safeguarding Standards and produced a report for the Challenge Team.  An outcome report had been presented to the Safeguarding Adults Board on 7^th November 2013.

The Board was further advised that the recommendations from the report had been converted into an action plan which would be worked on throughout 2014 and its progress monitored by Halton Safeguarding Adult Board.

It was reported that in November 2013 Halton had been invited to participate in the Making Safeguarding Personal Programme.  The work aimed to provide a commitment to improve outcomes for people at risk of harm.  The key focus was on developing a real understanding of what people wished to achieve, recording their desired outcomes and then seeing how effectively these had been met.  It was also reported that further update reports would be presented to the Board on this matter in the future.

        With an increasing focus on preventing abuse of older people in residential and nursing homes, the Integrated Adult Safeguarding Unit had built upon national research and developed a local model – early indicators of concern.  This was being trialled in two local nursing homes, where services were perceived to be failing and where increased complaints were being voiced by families and visiting practitioners.  A report on the outcome would be available in February 2014.

The Board noted the various activities that had taken place that were set out in paragraphs 3.6 to 3.9 of the report.

          It was suggested that hate crime, in the form of verbal and psychological abuse was rising in the Borough as a result of the cuts in welfare benefits.  It was noted that there was no evidence of an increase in abuse against people with disabilities in the Borough. It was reported that hate crime was closely monitored and if there was an increase in the number of incidents, the Safer Halton Partnership would address the issue.

RESOLVED: That the report and comments raised be noted.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Communities, which presented Halton’s Dementia Strategy.

The Board was advised that the local dementia strategy had been completed in February 2010 and was a direct response to the National Dementia Strategy – Living Well with Dementia (Department of Health, Feb 2009). The local strategy adopted the national targets as well as developing a specific implementation plan to deliver a range of improvements for people diagnosed with dementia and their carers.

The Board was further advised that the revised local dementia strategy, ‘Living well with dementia in Halton’ (Appendix 1), and the associated ‘needs’ paper (Appendix 2) looked at the progress that had been made since the original strategy publication, as well as identifying some key actions that needed to be completed over the next 5 years.

The Board noted the key achievements that had been made since the original strategy and that the priorities for 2013-2018 focussed on the following areas:-

·             Prevention and raising awareness;

·             Early diagnosis, information and advice;

·             Living well in the community;

·             End of Life;

·             Workforce development; and

·             Links to other workstreams.

        Furthermore, it was reported that the 2013-2015 Strategy implementation plan outlined the key actions for future development in improving the outcomes for people with a dementia diagnosis, their families and carers. The implementation plan could be found within the ‘Living Well With Dementia In Halton’ Strategy document.

        It was suggested that some Local Authorities and Housing Associations were in default of the Disability Care Act in respect of the way people were being categorised.  After discussion, the Board noted the importance of Person Centred Care where every individual would be advised on the merits of their illness, rather than being categorised in groups.

        The Board noted that Halton had been very successful in supporting people with mental health issues to stay in the community.  However, the Board also noted the issues/risks and challenges associated with this course of action.

          RESOLVED: That the report and comments raised be noted.

The Vice Chairman of the Board, Councillor N Plumpton-Walsh reported that the Nightime Economy Scrutiny Review Group report had been supported by the Executive Board at its 21 November 2013 meeting.  However, it was reported that further work be undertaken to identify the cost of implementing the proposals and this was currently being developed.

The Vice Chairman reported that a further update report would be presented to the Board when the financial costing had been developed.

The Chair congratulated all who had taken part in the review commenting on the excellent work they had undertaken.  He also reported that Warrington Borough Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner had been interested in the outcomes of the review and were looking to progress some of the actions in their areas.  He referred to the financial restraints, and highlighted that some of the recommendations could be progressed via alternative methods or represented a zero cost.

RESOLVED: That the verbal report and comments raised be noted.