Agenda and minutes

Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Monday, 13th November, 2023 6.00 pm

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Media

Items
No. Item

50.

Apologies pdf icon PDF 31 KB

To receive any apologies for absence.

Minutes:

There were no apologies for absence received.

51.

Appointment of Substitute Members pdf icon PDF 33 KB

To note appointments of Substitute Members.

Minutes:

The Democratic and Corporate Services Manager advised that no notice had been received for the appointment of substitute members.

52.

Declarations of Interest pdf icon PDF 55 KB

To receive any declarations of interest from Members in respect of business to be transacted on the agenda.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest made by Members.

53.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 47 KB

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 11 September 2023 (to follow).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Minutes of the meeting held on 11 September 2023 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

54.

Decisions of the Cabinet Relating to Recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee pdf icon PDF 62 KB

To receive the Cabinet decisions in respect of recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Minutes:

There were no decisions relating to recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to consider.

55.

Issues referred to the Committee by Public Petition, Council, Cabinet, or another Committee pdf icon PDF 36 KB

To receive any public petitions or issues referred by Council, Cabinet or another Committee.

Minutes:

The Head of Corporate Services and Democracy advised that there were no issues referred to the Committee by Council, Cabinet or another Committee.

56.

Notice of Forthcoming Key Decisions pdf icon PDF 68 KB

It is intended that Members should use the Notice of Forthcoming Key Decisions to identify topics within the remit of the Committee for future scrutiny.

Minutes:

The Head of Corporate Services and Democracy presented the Notice of Forthcoming Key Decisions to the Committee for its consideration.

 

RESOLVED:  That the Notice of Forthcoming Key Decisions be noted.

 

57.

Scrutiny Work Programme pdf icon PDF 108 KB

It is intended that the Committee monitor and prioritise its rolling work programme.

Minutes:

The Head of Corporate Services and Democracy presented the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme to the Committee for its consideration and advised:

 

·         That Kent County Council had paused plans to go to consultation on the potential closures of the Household Waste Sites in Deal and Richborough. The Chairman indicated that the Committee should maintain a watching brief on this issue so that it was ready in the event that the consultation was to proceed at a later date.

 

·         That NHS Kent and Medway had provisionally agreed to meet with the committee to discuss dentistry in April 2024. This was subject to confirmation closer to the date.

 

·         That the Corporate Plan was going directly to Council and not via the Cabinet and Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Members agreed to consider whether to remove the item from the work programme following the Council meeting on 29 November 2023.

 

RESOLVED: That the Work Programme be noted.

 

58.

Public Speaking pdf icon PDF 54 KB

Please note that in accordance with the agreed Protocol for Public Speaking at Overview and Scrutiny, the right to speak only applies to agenda items 11 and12.

 

The Chairman has also exercised his discretion to allow public speaking in respect of agenda item 10.

 

Members of the public wishing to speak must register to do so by no later than 2.00 pm on the second working day (Thursday) before the meeting.

Minutes:

The Democratic and Corporate Services Manager advised that the Chairman had agreed to vary the public speaking arrangements in respect of Phlebotomy Services in Deal (Minute No. 59) so as to permit public speaking.

 

A member of the public had registered to speak on Phlebotomy Services in Deal following the variation.

 

The Chairman welcomed Marsha Horne to speak for three minutes in respect of Phlebotomy Services in Deal.

 

In summary, the following points were made as part of the speech:

 

·         That the reinstatement, while welcome, had not gone far enough as the service at Deal Hospital would not be open to everyone.

·         That everyone would still be affected negatively to some degree.

·         That blood tests at GPs and Deal Hospital had run in tandem previously and complemented each other. The provision of one should not negatively impact on the other.  

59.

Phlebotomy Services in Deal pdf icon PDF 129 KB

To consider the information provided by NHS Kent and Medway on the arrangements for phlebotomy services in Deal.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed Natalie Davis, Chief of Staff NHS Kent and Medway and Sukh Singh, Director of Primary Care NHS Kent and Medway.

 

It was stated that the previous 25 hour per week phlebotomy contract at Deal Hospital had been surrendered to the Integrated Care Board (ICB). The investment in GP’s as replacements was intended to widen access through providing more hours of operation. However, after listening to the community it was now proposed to reintroduce the phlebotomy service at Deal Hospital for 25 hours of operation for key priority groups. This would be subject to a procurement exercise, as required by law, on the basis of a one year plus one contract. The service provided at Deal Hospital would be kept under review and if changes were required following this, they would be looked at further.

 

Q1. The independent review stated that the local survey undertaken by the Deal Blood Test Action Group contained numerous biased questions. Why, therefore has it been taken on board when considering this new service.

 

Members were advised that the report was based on more than the responses to the questionnaire as it also included information gathered from other sources. It was stated that the responses to questions would still be helpful, even if the independent review concluded the questions themselves were biased.

 

Q2. The independent report showed increased uptake of appointments at GP practices on cessation of the hospital clinic, with a subsequent (I assume) increase in staffing levels. Has the ICB liaised with practices as to how these staff can be redeployed should GP blood test appointments fall?

 

Members were advised that GPs had increased staffing and that they had been notified in writing that activity would be monitored for any unexpected variation. However, practices were ultimately responsible for their staff and how they used them. The Deal Community Phlebotomy Service responded specifically to those patient groups who had been unable to access a blood test locally. This service and the service provided by practices were seeking to coexist, but the impact on general practice and other providers would be reviewed as part of the evaluation.

 

Q3. The earlier proposed Deal pilot was to use Buckland hospital EKHUFT staff. Is this to be the case this time and if so, what will be the consequence for the phlebotomy service at BHD.

 

The procurement process would determine the provider for this service but there were no plans to change in phlebotomy service at Buckland hospital.

 

Q4. Communication was deemed to be key going forward. Can we be assured that the changes, particularly the patient criteria list, are clearly communicated to the Deal population in a timely manner.

 

Members were advised that this would be done. 

 

Q5. How does the ICB plan to monitor and report back to DDC regarding the quality of this new service?

 

Members were advised that the ICB would be happy to engage with Members in respect of this.

 

Q6. What does SBAR stand for?

 

It was stated that SBAR  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

60.

Establishment of Climate and Nature Forum pdf icon PDF 79 KB

To consider the attached report of the Strategic Director (Place and Environment).

Minutes:

The Climate Change Officer presented the report on the Establishment of a Climate and Nature Forum.

 

Members were advised that the report sought disband the existing Climate Change Project Advisory Group (PAG) and replace it with a new body, the Climate and Nature Forum. The Forum, which like the PAG would not be a decision-making body but would be advisory, would offer the potential for wider representation including representatives from Kent County Council, the four town councils and local community groups.

 

The terms of reference for the new Forum would be discussed at the first meeting of the Forum. It was intended that the Forum would meet on a quarterly basis with other groups, such as the RSPB or Kent Wildlife Trust, being invited to the Forum as required.

 

Councillor C A Vinson expressed concern that this was reverting back to something similar to the previous Climate Change Working Group that had been changed to a PAG due to concerns over its effectiveness.

 

It was agreed to note the report.

61.

Tides Leisure Centre pdf icon PDF 103 KB

To consider the attached report of the Strategic Director (Place and Environment).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Strategic Development Lead Officer (Leisure) presented the update report on the Tides Leisure Centre.

 

Members were advised on the findings of the RIBA Stage 2 detailed feasibility on Tides Leisure Centre and that Cabinet had been asked for approval to explore further options that could provide a solution to the challenges concerning the viability of the project. This had been agreed by the Cabinet and officers would report back once the options had been explored further. This was expected to be in early 2024.

 

Members discussed the following points:

 

·         To acknowledge the work that had gone into finding a viable solution for Tides Leisure Centre and to express hope that a solution could be found.

·         The monitoring work being undertaken in respect of the current Tides Leisure Centre as the building reaches the end of its operational life.

·         To identify the volatility in respect of borrowing costs and the funding options being explored.

·         Whether other assets could be disposed of to generate funding for use in respect of Tides. The Strategic Director (Place and Growth) advised that most of the Council’s assets were not cashable as it included sites such as churchyards.

 

It was agreed to note the report.  

 

 

 

62.

Exclusion of the Press and Public pdf icon PDF 50 KB

The recommendation is attached.

 

MATTERS WHICH THE MANAGEMENT TEAM SUGGESTS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN PRIVATE AS THE REPORT CONTAINS EXEMPT INFORMATION AS DEFINED WITHIN PART 1 OF SCHEDULE 12A OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 AS INDICATED AND IN RESPECT OF WHICH THE PROPER OFFICER CONSIDERS THAT THE PUBLIC INTEREST IN MAINTAINING THE EXEMPTION OUTWEIGHS THE PUBLIC INTEREST IN DISCLOSING THE INFORMATION

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor M J Nee, duly seconded by Councillor D R Friend and

 

RESOLVED:   That, under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the remainder of the business on the grounds that the items to be considered involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Act.

63.

Dover Town Centre Regeneration - Bench Street (Westside), Dover

To consider the attached report of the Head of Place and Growth.

Minutes:

The Head of Place and Growth presented the report on Dover Town Centre Regeneration – Bench Street (Westside) Dover.

 

Due to the links to the next item of business, Members discussed both items together.

 

It was agreed to note the report on Dover Town Centre Regeneration – Bench Street (Westside) Dover.

64.

Dover Town Centre Regeneration - Camden Crescent, Dover

To consider the attached report of the Head of Growth and Place.

Minutes:

The Head of Place and Growth presented the report on Dover Town Centre Regeneration – Camden Crescent, Dover.

 

Due to the links to the previous item of business, Members discussed both items together.

 

RESOLVED:       That it be recommended to Cabinet that the list of project risks to be included within the detailed risk assessment include risks related to other organisations and partners.