Issue - meetings

The Chairman of the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee submitted a report on the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee’s future work programme for 2015/16.

The Scrutiny Officer explained that the work plan had been developed by the previous Health and Wellbeing Panel.  She updated Members on what new items had been added and said that many of the projects in progress could be monitored online.  The Scrutiny Officer said that there was flexibility in the work programme if Members wanted to add items for scrutiny.

In response to a query regarding the Health and Wellbeing Strategy and areas of concern not being addressed within the work programme, the Environmental Health Promotion Officer explained the approach Members had adopted in agreeing the strategy and the work plan.  The Chairman explained that asking specialist speakers to address the Committee would need substantial advance notice.

The Chairman referred to the District Offer from Hertfordshire County Council and was keen that Members undertook a soft approach to monitoring with one or two Members going along to see how groups benefitting from the Offer were using funds.  She suggested that if Members supported this approach and wanted to be part of the working group, then Members should submit their expressions of interest to her.  This was supported.

The Director of Finance and Support Services explained that a small informal working group showing interest could add colour around the projects and add positively to their publicity.  She added that it was important to get a feel of what was going on and give the groups the Council’s full support. 

The Environmental Promotion Officer stated that the Council would be tracking fulfilment of outcomes on specific projects.

The Committee supported the setting up of a small working group of five Members from which two Members would visit specified groups who had benefitted from  District Offer funding support from the County Council. 

The Committee agreed the report.

RESOLVED – that (A) the work programme be agreed;

(B)       the interim report on the implementation of projects within the East Herts Health and Wellbeing Strategy be submitted as an exceptions report, should problems arise; and

(C)       an informal working group of five Members be established from which two Members would be asked to review specific groups / projects which benefit from the District Offer funding.