Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

None.

None.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 7 December 2023.

That the minutes be approved as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 7 December 2023 were approved as moved by Councillor Dave Mackie and seconded by Councillor Gladys Healey.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes be approved as a correct record.

To receive an update from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

The Chair of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) thanked Members for the invite and the opportunity to share some of the developments of the Health Board and advised that they welcomed communication at any time.  He explained that 11 months ago, he had been asked to step in as Interim Chair along with three independent members and an Interim Chief Executive due to the Government placing the whole of BCUHB into special measures concerning issues around governance, performance of certain services and issues around the Board and their relationships and interaction.  He stated that they were now in a more stable position as they had a permanent Chief Executive and would have a full complement of independent members by March.  He advised Members that over the coming months, they would be holding public meetings across the region to engage with communities, third sector groups and the public to understand their needs and concerns. He agreed that the Health Service had to change as the model that they had at the moment was not sustainable as it was geared to deal with the pressures of at the acute level of services.  He stressed that more energy and resources had to be put into primary community care.  He ended by saying that the last 11 months had been challenging but that he felt quite confident and that there were huge opportunities for them to do good things for the health agenda in North Wales.

The Chief Executive of BCUHB introduced herself and stated that it was a pleasure and a big challenge to join the Health Board in North Wales and could see huge potential in North Wales for great partnerships to deliver great services within the region.

The Integrated Health Community Director (East) advised Members that she had worked for BCUHB for a year and was proud to do so.  She stated that their successes and strengths were when they worked together with Local Authorities as they had the same vision, strategies and aims.  She emphasised that patients did not really care who they get the care from or how it worked just as long as it was seamless.

In response to a question raised by Councillor Healey, the Chair of BCUHB stated that the first public meeting would be held on 30^th January in Denbigh and that they would be visiting all 6 local authority areas between now and the summer and would let them have further information when they had it.

Councillor Healey further questioned what was happening with primary care due to the closure of the majority of community hospitals and asked why GPs sent patients to A&E rather than the relevant department.  She also questioned why mental health patients were not able to see relatives on the ward and why they had to meet elsewhere eg Wrexham Maelor in the café area.

The Chief Executive of BCUHB responded by thanking her for her questions and explained that things had changed enormously over the years  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.

(a)       That the Forward Work Programme be approved;

(b)       That the Facilitator, in consultation with the Chair of the Committee be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises; and

(c)       That the Committee notes the progress made in completing the outstanding actions.

The Democratic Services Manager presented the current Forward Work Programme and Action Tracking as set out in the report for consideration and welcomed any questions from Members.

Councillor McGuill requested that the Social Services budget requirements list, which had been previously issued last June, be circulated to Members to enable them to come up with ideas prior to the budget meeting to try to reduce the budget without reducing the services.  The Chief Officer (Social Services) advised that the requirements for the budget had changed significantly since last June and the report by the S151 Officer would give the updated position.  He explained that Social Services needed to find efficiencies for the year ahead and that proposals would be explained at the workshops next week which would give Members time to make any additional proposals prior to the special meeting on 9^th February.  He added that the detailed budget was shared routinely and would be shared.

Councillor Bateman referred to the second item on Action Tracking concerning information on statutory and non-statutory services and the Chief Officer (Social Services) confirmed that the report containing that information would be provided at the meeting on 9^th February.

The Chair confirmed that the meeting on 24^th June 2024 would cover a request made by Councillor Mackie concerning the situation with Care Homes.

The Democratic Services Manager advised that he would chase the Chief Executive of BCUHB for a date when they would receive a response to the questions that were submitted to them.

The recommendations within the report were moved by Councillor Gladys Healey and seconded by Councillor Hilary McGuill.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Forward Work Programme be approved;

(b)       That the Facilitator, in consultation with the Chair of the Committee be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises; and

(c)       That the Committee notes the progress made in completing the outstanding actions.

There were no members of the press in attendance.