Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted from Councillors D Abbott, S Cousins and Mrs D Hollebon.  It was noted that Councillors D Oldridge and R Standley were substituting for Councillors S Cousins and Mrs D Hollebon respectively.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on Tuesday 14 June 2016 (Previously circulated as part of the Council Minute book for 27 July 2016).

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 June 2016 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Chairman summarised what was discussed at the last meeting of the Scrutiny Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen and highlighted the distinction between Members being given information and Members carrying out scrutiny.  The Chairman encouraged Committee Members to be proactive in scrutinising reports and getting involved.  She noted that any topics which were assessed to be ‘information seeking’ rather than scrutiny could then be put forward for either a future member briefing/training event or, if suitable, as a written reply/article in the Members Information Bulletin. 

Finally, she referred to the Panshanger Park Run plus a number of other projects that had been awarded a grant by the East Herts Health and Wellbeing Community Fund.

The Scrutiny Officer and the Chairman submitted a report which gave Members the opportunity to gain evidence regarding planning and health and wellbeing at a strategic level and which assured that the wider public health agenda was being appropriately integrated prior to the adoption of the District Plan in 2017.

The Head of Planning and Building Control introduced the report and summarised the key issues in respect of the current position regarding planning and health and wellbeing.  He reminded Members that the Authority was undertaking the penultimate stages of the District Plan preparation process.

The Chairman of the Development Management Committee, Councillor T Page, referred to negotiations that occurred before applications reached the Committee.  He commented on the Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) toolkit for Section 106 funding and referred to the importance of information regarding where this money should be spent in order to maximise community benefit.

Councillor P Ballam welcomed the comments that had been made and emphasised the importance of a more efficient system regarding Section 106 funding.  Councillor T Page confirmed that Section 106 funding was being monitored closely by a Director.

Members raised a number of relevant issues and Officers and the Executive Member for Development Management and Council Support responded to queries and questions from the Committee.  Members received the report and endorsed the recommendations now detailed.

RESOLVED – that (A) Officers be requested to further explore the service’s contribution to the wider public health agenda; and

(B)   Officers explore the feasibility of HCC public health being asked to comment on an interim basis on relevant planning applications at a useful point in the development management process prior to the adoption of the proposed District Plan.

The Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing submitted a report updating Members on the ongoing project to develop a Hertfordshire Home Improvement Agency (HIA) to help elderly and vulnerable persons to remain living independently at home.

The Head of Housing and Health invited Members to support East Herts Council becoming a partner in the Hertfordshire HIA.  The Committee was also invited to propose innovative ideas to enhance service provision.  Members were reminded of the background to the HIA and the work that had been completed to date.  The Head summarised a number of other relevant issues from the report and encouraged Members to email him with any ideas they had following the meeting

The Chairman commented on the time it could take for the completion of some home adaptations thus delaying discharge from hospital.  The Head of Service stated that the current process, including means testing for all works, however small, could lead to the whole process taking in excess of 6 months and a new system for low cost works without means testing could take just a few weeks.

Councillors J Jones and M Stevenson commented on the excellence of the changes referred to by the Head of Housing and Health.  The Head of Service advised that the Executive had confirmed East Herts Council’s commitment in a shared service with a view to this going live as part of the Hertfordshire HIA by September 2017.

The Head of Service confirmed to Councillor P Ballam that the proposals should ensure that the needs of Hertfordshire residents were not delayed.  He also responded to a query from Councillor D Oldridge by stating that all participating Hertfordshire Authorities would be working closely together to ensure residents got what they needed. 

Councillor M Stevenson noted that in the long term she would welcome the HIA looking at linking to a wider range of services including telecare.  The Head of Service noted this suggestion.

Members supported the recommendations now detailed.

RESOLVED – that (A) the proposal that East Herts Council becomes a partner in the Hertfordshire Home Improvement Agency (HIA) be supported;

(B)   the opportunities to enhance service provision by virtue of the HIA proposal and funding changes be supported; and

(C)   a pilot adaptations service of non-means tested, fast-tracked, low cost works be evaluated with a view to whether these works could be completed in days rather than weeks.

The Chairman reported that she had attended the meetings of Hertfordshire County Council’s Health Scrutiny Committee and there was nothing specific to report back.  The Minutes of Hertfordshire County Council’s Health Scrutiny Committee meetings on 12 July 2016 were submitted for information.  The Committee noted the Minutes.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes be noted.

The Chairman of the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee submitted a report reviewing the Committee’s work programme for 2016/17.  The Scrutiny Officer advised that the report on Air Quality Management areas would be submitted to the meeting on 14 March 2017 instead of 15 November 2016.

The Scrutiny Officer advised that this would result in a number of substantial items for the March 2017 meeting.  The Environmental Health Promotion Officer said his report on the East Herts Health and Wellbeing Funded projects could be moved to November 2016.  He asked the Committee if they still wished to receive this report in light of the change of status of the Committee from a Panel.  Members confirmed that they did and that they would be happy to receive the report in November 2016.  It was noted that the Chairman and Scrutiny Officer would further review the agenda for the March 2017 meeting.

The Scrutiny Officer asked who would be invited to update on the Mental Health Day.   It was confirmed that the Council’s Member Champion on Mental Health, Councillor P Moore, would be invited to provide a report in March 2017.  The Chairman encouraged Members to attend East Herts Council’s Mental Health day on 9 October 2016 at Hertford Theatre.  Members approved the work programme, as now amended.

RESOLVED – that the work programme, as now amended, be agreed.