Agenda and minutes

To confirm the appointment of Chair and Vice-Chair for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2012/13.

RESOLVED

That Councillor Rayment be appointed as Chair and Dr Steve Townsend as Vice Chair for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2012/13.

To approve and sign as a correct record the action notes from the informal  meeting held on 13^th June 2012 and to deal with any matters arising, attached.

RESOLVED

That the action notes from the informal meeting held on 13^th June 2012 be approved as a correct record.

To approve the proposed calendar of meetings for 2013/2014, attached

RESOLVED

That the proposed calendar of meetings be approved for 2013/14.

Report of Senior Manager, Housing Services detailing a brief insight into the potential for Housing to support the aspirations of the Health & Wellbeing Board, attached.

The Shadow Board considered the report of the Senior Manager, Housing Services providing an insight into the potential for Housing to support the aspirations of the Health and Wellbeing Board through the delivery of the Strategy.

The Board noted that good housing was fundamental to the Health and Wellbeing of the City and its population.  Southampton was in an almost unique position due to the level of social and private rented accommodation within the City to be able to influence the condition and delivery of housing and housing services to support the long term wellbeing of its residents. 

The positive effect of involving Housing in the delivery of key strategies in the City would be significant.  Housing was not a service that should be tacked on to other initiatives but could be placed directly at the heart of improving the City.  As a key priority within the Health & Wellbeing Strategy the City could ensure that it was taking a holistic approach to improving the lives of its citizens.  It was noted that within housing there were 4 key themes:-

• Housing and Poverty
• Homelessness and Prevention
• Addressing Poor Housing Conditions in the Private Sector
• Promoting Active Older Age

The Board noted the following points:-

• That there was a lot of good partnership work taking place across the City.
• That activity to support sheltered housing/community use were being provided such as arm chair gym but more could be done to provide an integrated health treatment service and the development of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy was the opportunity to begin a journey to provide such a service.
• Opportunities for Health trainers to link with Neighbourhood Wardens.
• Opportunities for engagement with the “Families Matter” programme and other issues such as tower block living and associated issues of isolation and non engagement.
• As part of the consultation process of the draft strategy the Children and Young People’s Trust had recognised the link between all of the priorities, housing being key.  
• That any regeneration programmes would need to address health concerns and identify better outcomes.
• The introduction of benefit changes may contribute to overcrowding issues and associated difficulties of moving families on.
• There was opportunity for “Handyperson plus Service to receive more referrals and to be publicised more widely.  Reference was also made to the “Blue Lamp Trust” which also received under referral and provided a range of services fully funded.  Health colleagues were reminded of the service and to ensure that District Nurses etc were aware.

RESOLVED

i.  That the report be noted;

ii.  That work be undertaken to explore how health concerns could be addressed within housing regeneration programmes to provided better outcomes; and

iii.  That information be provided to the Board on the changes to the Benefit system and how these could facilitate overcrowding issues.

Report of the Director of Public Health detailing draft consultation guidance which the Department of Health has published to support health and wellbeing boards in preparing their Joint Strategic Needs Assessments and Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategies, attached.

The Shadow Health and Wellbeing Board considered the report of the Director of Public Health detailing the Department of Health proposals for consultation following work with stakeholders to develop and refine draft guidance to support Health and Wellbeing Boards in preparing their Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategies.

The Board noted that the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Southampton appeared to be where it needed to be ahead of the draft guidance albeit the vision was slightly too wide at the moment and would be refined as part of the consultation process for the Strategy.

The Board also noted that there was little demonstrable evidence of Children and Young People properly being implied in any the wording and that these should be more explicit particularly in reference to the Young Adults agenda.  

RESOLVED

That the proposed response to the Department of Health consultation be approved subject to the inclusion of the lack of evidence of Children and Young People properly being implied and more explicit particularly in reference to the Young Adults agenda.  

Report of Director of Health and Adult Social Care detailing the development of Healthwatch Southampton, which is to be “the independent consumer champion for the public – locally and nationally - to promote better outcomes in health and social care for all”, attached.

The Shadow Health and Wellbeing Board received and noted the report of the Director of Health and Adult Social Care detailing the development of Healthwatch Southampton, which was to be “the independent consumer champion for the public locally and nationally to promote better outcome in health and social care for all”.  The report also summarised the duties of local Healthwatch, the stakeholder engagement undertaken and the process for securing Healthwatch in Southampton.

It was noted that the Department of Health funding for local Healthwatch was expected in December 2012, although this money would not be ring-fenced and the final sum to be allocated to Healthwatch Southampton would be determined as part of the 2013/14 budget setting process.  Concern was expressed in terms of expectations versus resources and what was realistically achievable.

RESOLVED

That the development of Healthwatch Southampton and the allocation of funding being given due process as part of the Council budget setting process be supported.