Local democracy

Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - City Hall, Bradford. View directions

Contact: Jane Lythgow 

Items
No. Item

1.

DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST

(Members Code of Conduct - Part 4A of the Constitution)

 

To receive disclosures of interests from members and co-opted members on matters to be considered at the meeting. The disclosure must include the nature of the interest.

 

An interest must also be disclosed in the meeting when it becomes apparent to the member during the meeting.

 

Notes:

 

(1)       Members may remain in the meeting and take part fully in discussion and voting unless the interest is a disclosable pecuniary interest or an interest which the Member feels would call into question their compliance with the wider principles set out in the Code of Conduct.  Disclosable pecuniary interests relate to the Member concerned or their spouse/partner.

 

(2)       Members in arrears of Council Tax by more than two months must not vote in decisions on, or which might affect, budget calculations, and must disclose at the meeting that this restriction applies to them.  A failure to comply with these requirements is a criminal offence under section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. 

 

(3)       Members are also welcome to disclose interests which are not disclosable pecuniary interests but which they consider should be made in the interest of clarity.

 

(4)       Officers must disclose interests in accordance with Council Standing Order 44.

 

Minutes:

In the interest of transparency Co-opted MemberTrevor Ramsay disclosed that he was a representative of Bradford District Care Trust and that organisation had an input in reports being discussed (Adult Autism and Bradford District Mental Health Learning  Disabilities and Autism Partnership Board (Minutes 7 & 8).

 

ACTION: City Solicitor

 

2.

MINUTES

Recommended –

 

That the minutes of the meeting held on XXXXX 2020 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

 

(Jane Lythgow  – 01274 432270)

Minutes:

Resolved –

 

That the minutes of the meeting held on 23 March 2021 be signed as a correct record.

 

3.

INSPECTION OF REPORTS AND BACKGROUND PAPERS

(Access to Information Procedure Rules – Part 3B of the Constitution)

 

Reports and background papers for agenda items may be inspected by contacting the person shown after each agenda item.  Certain reports and background papers may be restricted. 

 

Any request to remove the restriction on a report or background paper should be made to the relevant Strategic Director or Assistant Director whose name is shown on the front page of the report. 

 

If that request is refused, there is a right of appeal to this meeting. 

 

Please contact the officer shown below in advance of the meeting if you wish to appeal. 

 

(Jane Lythgow - 01274 432270)

 

Minutes:

There were no appeals submitted by the public to review decisions to restrict documents.

 

4.

REFERRALS TO THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

Any referrals that have been made to this Committee up to and including the date of publication of this agenda will be reported at the meeting.

Minutes:

There were no referrals made to the Committee.

 

5.

CO-OPTION OF MEMBERS TO THE HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

Under Article 6 of Part 2 of the Constitution the Committee may make a recommendation to Council for the co-option of non-voting members to the Committee.

 

The Committee is asked to recommend the appointment of the following non-voting co-opted members:

 

Susan Crowe – Bradford District Assembly Health and Wellbeing Forum

Trevor Ramsay – i2i patient involvement Network, Bradford District NHS Foundation Care Trust

Helen Rushworth – Healthwatch Bradford and District

 

(Caroline Coombes - 01274 432313)

 

Minutes:

Members were advised that under Article 6 of Part 2 of the Constitution the Committee may make a recommendation to Council for the co-option of non-voting members to the Committee.

 

The Committee was asked to recommend to Council the appointment of three non-voting co-opted members:

 

Resolved –

 

That it be recommended to Council that the following non-voting co-opted members be appointed to the Health and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the 2021/22 Municipal Year:

 

Susan Crowe – Bradford District Assembly Health and Wellbeing Forum

Trevor Ramsay – i2i patient involvement Network, Bradford District NHS Foundation Care Trust

Helen Rushworth – Healthwatch Bradford and District

 

 

ACTION: City Solicitor

 

(Caroline Coombes - 01274 432313)

 

 

 

6.

WEST YORKSHIRE JOINT HEALTH OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

Previous reference: Minute 36 (2015/2016)

 

reference: Minute 36 (2015/2016)

 

At its meeting of 29 October 2015 the Committee considered a report of the Chair and resolved ‘That the West Yorkshire Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny be supported’.  It also nominated two members from within its membership to sit on the Joint Committee.  As the Committee has since been reconstituted, there is now a need to appoint two members to sit on the Joint Committee.

 

Recommended –

 

That the Committee nominates two members from within its membership to sit on the West Yorkshire Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

 

 

Minutes:

Members were made aware that at its meeting of 29 October 2015 the Committee had considered a report of the Chair and resolved ‘That the West Yorkshire Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny be supported’.  It also nominated two members from within its membership to sit on the Joint Committee.  As the Committee had since been reconstituted, there was now a need to appoint two members to sit on the Joint Committee.

 

Resolved –

 

That the Committee nominates Councillor Greenwood and Councillor Glentworth to sit on the West Yorkshire Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

 

ACTION: Scrutiny Lead Officer

(Caroline Coombes – 01274 432313)

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.

ADULT AUTISM pdf icon PDF 120 KB

The Senior Officer, Strategy, Change and Delivery, NHS Bradford District and Craven Clinical Commissioning Group will submit a report (Document “A”) which provides an update on the current state vis-à-vis adult autism and also provides a synopsis of the work planned to address ‘all age autism’ and therefore, address some of the challenges that are outlined in this paper.

 

Recommended –

 

(1)       The challenges regarding adult autism are discussed and noted.

 

(2)       The development of an ‘all age’ pathway that is prefaced with   stronger prevention and early help is endorsed.

 

(Ali-Jan Haider - 01274 237290)

 

Minutes:

 

The Senior Officer, Strategy, Change and Delivery, NHS Bradford District and Craven Clinical Commissioning Group submitted a report (Document “A”) which provided an update on the current state regarding adult autism and also provided a synopsis of the work planned to address ‘all age autism’ and address some of the challenges that were outlined in the report. 

Members were reminded that the issue had been discussed previously, in October 2019 when assurances had been provided that the Bradford/Airedale Neurodevelopmental Service (BANDS) list would be reopened and the backlog of people waiting for assessment would be cleared.  It was confirmed that the BANDS list had reopened and whilst challenges had been experienced due to the pandemic the service had responded in an agile manner and continued to provide the services needed.  Alternative software had been utilised to accelerate the assessment process and self-referral pathway.  Recruitments had also been made to the BANDS team.  Bradford District Care Trust and the Clinical Commissioning Group were working together to improve services.

It was reported that, in response to feedback, and to familiarise General Practitioners (GPs) with the dynamics of autism, a top tips leaflet had been developed.  It was explained that demand for assessment and diagnoses continued to rise both locally and nationally and a national all age autism strategy had been developed.

 

A dedicated manager had been recruited to investigate funding from existing models locally and across West Yorkshire and beyond.  Initiatives to address the issue alternatively to augment what was already in place were reported. 

Following a detailed presentation Members raised grave concerns that the situation had not improved since the report had been presented previously.  It did not appear, despite previous assurances, that additional funding had been provided and the extensive backlog of people waiting for assessment had been cleared.

 

Assurances that people waiting for diagnosis would be able to access the benefits that a diagnosis would provide were of no comfort as it was felt that without assistance someone with a less visible condition may be unable to comply with the specifics required and would lose that funding.

 

It was questioned if any lessons had been learned from the acute distress of people who had been unable to access the waiting list for assessment and what had happened to funding invested in a firm contracted to address the back log on the waiting list. 

 

Members queried when the service had re-opened the waiting list; what extent had the GPs involvement had on the 359 referrals on the waiting list; what would a ‘normal’ rate of referral be and what was the conversation rate from referral to a diagnosis.

 

It was stated that of the issues raised by constituents mental health was raised the most.  Autism was raised most frequently and residents, concerned that their GPs had been unable to help, had asked ward councillors for help. 

 

A Member stated his unease when he heard additional administrative arrangements were being developed and stressed that people were needed to deal  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

BRADFORD DISTRICT MENTAL HEALTH, LEARNING DISABILITIES AND AUTISM PARTNERSHIP BOARD - VERBAL REPORT

The Medical Director, Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust will attend the meeting on behalf of the Partnership Chair to update the Committee on the formation of the Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Autism Board.  The presentation will focus on Autism/Neurodiversity and will include information on how people with autism and their families and carers will be included, how issues have been identified as priorities, how it hopes to address these, how progress will be monitored and oversight arrangements.

 

(David Sims - 01274 228300)

 

 

Minutes:

The Medical Director, Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust attended the meeting on behalf of the Partnership Chair to update the Committee on the formation of the Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Autism Board.  He provided a presentation which focussed on Autism/Neurodiversity and included information on how people with autism and their families and carers would be included, the manner in which issues had been identified as priorities, the way it was hoped to address those priorities, how progress would be monitored and the oversight arrangements.

A Member reassured by the presentation raised two areas of concern.  That people were unable to access assessments and that there were only two professionals to deal with 350+ people waiting.  She referred to a previous commitment to review findings that the Clinical Commissioning Group had the lowest spend on neurodiversity in the country.  It was questioned if that review had occurred as it was felt that if not the current situation would continue. 

In response it was explained that services were committed to Act As One and people should not have to wait for three years for an assessment or diagnosis.  People could be identified and services provided on a needs led basis. Current funding had been increased and additional funds accessed. 

There was a high level of poverty in Bradford and a Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) funding bid had been submitted as a commitment to deliver a service in areas with significant vulnerable people. Actions would be evaluated and if effective would be replicated across the district.

The service was at an early stage of a programme to move from a diagnosis led approach to a needs led service and significant progress had been made.  It was intended to effect change and people and the Voluntary Community Service would be actively involved.  Reassurances were provided that the service would look at different approaches and sought to do things collectively.

It was confirmed that the waiting lists were still receiving referrals but it was questioned how long it would take to clear lists if only two people were involved.  It was re-iterated that a business case for additional funding had been developed but a lot would depend upon funding settlements from NHS England.  Not all people on the waiting lists would go through complete assessments as during that process it could become clear that issues were elsewhere. 

Members questioned from where referrals were originating and it was reported that 95% of people on the waiting list had been referred by their General Practitioner (GP).  Since doctors had been given more information on autism approximately 40% of those on the list would be diagnosed.  Assurances were provided that collaborative work with Leeds at Integrated Care Service level was being undertaken to increase resources and create more resilience.

A Member expressed frustration that the issues raised had been highlighted long before the pandemic and believed that nothing had changed to improve the service provided to autistic people.  In response the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE DRAFT WORK PROGRAMME 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 86 KB

The City Solicitor will submit a report (Document “B”) which presents a draft work programme 2021/22 for adoption by the Committee.

 

Recommended –

 

(1)       That the Committee notes the information in Appendix A and that        it, along with any amendments or additions is adopted as the Committee’s Work Programme 2021/22.

(2)       That the Work Programme 2021/22 continues to be regularly     reviewed during the year.

(Caroline Coombes - 01274 432313)

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

The Overview and Scrutiny Lead submitted a report (Document “B”) which presented a draft work programme 2021/22 for adoption by the Committee.

It was explained that priority items had been included on the draft programme to allow the work of the Committee to be developed around those issues. 

It was proposed that the September meeting would include an update on the Health and Care Act and discussions at that time could highlight issues for future scrutiny such as patient involvement.

It was explained that the October meeting would include access to primary care, however, it was not intended for that item to be about digital delivery of services but to address how people could get to see their doctors.  

Members were asked to inform the Chair or Scrutiny Lead of issues they wished to add to the programme. 

 

Resolved -

 

1.    That the Committee notes the information in Appendix 1 and that it, along with any amendments or additions is adopted as the Committee’s Work Programme 2021/22.

2.    That the Work Programme 2021/22 continues to be regularly reviewed during the year.

Action: Overview and Scrutiny Lead Officer