Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Mrs S Evans, Mr K Hamilton, Mr M Hawkins and Mr W McEwan.

To report any changes to the membership of the Board.

It was noted that the following changes had been made to the Board membership:-

Mrs C McCarron-Holmes had replaced Ms C Driver as a member of the Scrutiny Management Board (as Chair of the Cumbria Health Scrutiny Committee);

Mr P Turner had replaced Mr K Hitchen as a member of the Scrutiny Management Board; and

Mr N Hughes had replaced Mr C Hogg as a member of the Scrutiny Management Board..

The Chair welcomed Ms McCarron-Holmes to her new role as Chair of the Cumbria Health Scrutiny Committee.

Members are invited to disclose any disclosable pecuniary interest they have in any item on the agenda which comprises

1          Details of any employment, office, trade, profession or vocation carried on for profit or gain.

2          Details of any payment or provision of any other financial benefit (other than from the authority) made or provided within the relevant period in respect of any expenses incurred by you in carrying out duties as a member, or towards your election expenses.  (This includes any payment or financial benefit from a trade union within the meaning of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.

3          Details of any contract which is made between you (or a body in which you have a beneficial interest) and the authority

(a)     Under which goods or services are to be provided or works are to be executed; and

(b)     Which has not been fully discharged.

4          Details of any beneficial interest in land which is within the area of the authority. 

5          Details of any licence (alone or jointly with others) to occupy land in the area of the authority for a month or longer. 

6          Details of any tenancy where (to your knowledge)

(a)     The landlord is the authority; and

(b)     The tenant is a body in which you have a beneficial interest.

7          Details of any beneficial interest in securities of a body where

(a)     That body (to your knowledge) has a place of business or land in the area of the authority; and

(b)     Either –

(i)        The total nominal value of the securities exceeds £25,000 or one hundredth of the total issued share capital of that body; or

(ii)          If that share capital of that body is of more than one class, the total nominal value of the shares of any one class in which the relevant person has a beneficial interest exceeds one hundredth of the total issued share capital of that class.

In addition, you must also disclose other non-pecuniary interests set out in the Code of Conduct where these have not already been registered.

Note

A “disclosable pecuniary interest” is an interest of a councillor or their partner (which means spouse or civil partner, a person with whom they are living as husband or wife, or a person with whom they are living as if they are civil partners).

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

To consider whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of any item on the agenda.

RESOLVED,that the press and public be not excluded from the meeting during consideration of any item on the agenda.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 8 March 2021 (copy enclosed).

An amendment to Minute 96 – page 10 – third paragraph – line 3 to amend the date to 18 March 2021 was agreed at the meeting.

RESOLVED,that the minutes of the meeting held on 8 March 2021 be agreed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

For members to be informed of any call-in items received by the County Council and to consider whether any further action needs to be taken by the Board.

The Chair advised that there were no call-in items for the Board to consider.

To consider a report by the Executive Director – Corporate, Customer and Community Services (copy enclosed).

Members received a report and presentation providing an update on the development of the New Ways of Working Programme.

The Assistant Director – Workforce and Organisational Development (the officer) outlined the principles, vision and working styles that had been developed with extensive internal and external collaboration, engagement and consultation.  Members heard that the Council’s route map for new working arrangements had been aligned to the Government’s road map timescales.  As this continued, the programme would allow multiple opportunities for colleagues to share their views which were and would continue to shape and influence the plans to improve colleague wellbeing, customer experiences, digital solutions and buildings, whilst reducing the Council’s carbon footprint.  It was noted by members that the Post Covid Ways of Working Task and Finish Group’s recommendations had guided and informed the programme of work.

To conclude the officer outlined the vision to have a motivated and committed workforce who are innovative, supported, skilled and customer focused.

In the question and answer session that followed, the officer gave an explanation of the categories mapping that was contained within the presentation and the changes that were being implemented to simplify working styles.  A member asked about the programme’s flexibility, management support, staff clarity and whether consideration had been given in the capital programme to adjust council building spaces to suit the new working styles.  The officer informed Board members that currently the flexibility was governed by national restrictions and that there would be phases to ensure the workforce were able to safely return to workspaces, to reconnect once national restrictions were lifted and to feedback to ensure learning and experiences were captured and provide evidence based information that would then inform the next phases of the programme.

A member discussed the culture of autonomy, climate change and online working, highlighting the importance of not leaving staff isolated.  The officer said that staff would have support to have autonomy within boundaries, a sense of belonging and strong leadership would be provided. 

Following a member’s request, the officer agreed to circulate the Transitional Plan to members and gave an explanation of the guides, tools and staff engagement that were in place to inform the programme.  Discussion took place around inclusivity and mentorship and the need to build these into the programme.  The Council’s successful apprenticeship scheme was talked about.  A member highlighted the need to retain corporate memory.

Members highlighted the need for member engagement in the process.  It was agreed that an update on the programme’s progress be given to a future meeting of the Board.

In discussion of Single Point of Access officers (SPAs), the Executive Director – Corporate, Customer and Community Services assured members that the customer was at the heart of the programme ensuring quality of service.  The role of SPAs had been developed along the way to include delivery of new services and continued to work remotely providing a high level of service.  The Senior Manager, ICT provided an update on the IT infrastructure work that had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To consider a report by the Executive Director – Corporate, Customer and Community Services (copy enclosed).

Members received a report and presentation on the draft Cumbria Covid-19 Recovery Strategy for pre scrutiny before being submitted to Cabinet for approval.  Members were asked to note the contents in relation to the role of the Council in Cumbria’s Recovery, particularly as delivered through the existing strategic partnerships and groups. Members were also asked to note the themes, priorities and measures for Recovery and consider any areas for future work for Scrutiny to review as part of any oversight of progress.  It was noted that the Strategy had been developed and was owned by The Strategic Recovery Group for Cumbria, which was chaired by the County Council’s Chief Executive and had executive leadership representatives from across Cumbria.

The Assistant Director -  Integration and Partnerships (the officer) reported that the Strategy had been updated since publication of the papers and agreed to circulated the updated version to members of the Board.  The draft Strategy had been developed and published for public consultation and engagement from 1 January 2021 to 25 April 2021.  The officer informed members that each agency and partnership that was represented had formally agreed and signed off the Strategy in June 2021 and all organisations had committed to sign up to it by 1 September 2021.

In discussion, a member felt that there wasn’t enough opportunity to scrutinise the Strategy before submission to Cabinet.  The Chair assured members that feedback from this meeting would be taken into consideration.  Another member felt like the Strategy was more like a vision statement.  The officer outlined the recovery plans, policies and governance that were in place behind it.  The Executive Director – Corporate, Customer and Community Services reported that the Strategy fulfilled part of the Civil Contingency duty and showed a high level of ambition resulting in the ability to secure additional recovery funding. Members recognised that the Strategy was a fluid working document and there would be opportunities for scrutiny and member involvement.  

Members discussed various issues from the pandemic.  These included people’s physical and mental health, the shattering of communities and the widening of inequalities, the effects of the pandemic on key workers and the need for affordable housing.  A member suggested local versions of the Strategy be produced so that communities, Town Councils, Parish Councils and Resident Associations could form part of the process.  The officer confirmed that work could be done with the District/Borough Councils on housing and the Place agenda centred around affordable homes to meet the need of a changing population and workforce.  The officer agreed to undertake promotional work, circulate the Strategy to Parish Councils through CALC and involve communities through Local Resilience Groups.  The role that the District/Borough Councils had played was discussed.

Members expressed concern in staff shortages, particularly in the hospitality sector and retaining young people to address the gap in the workforce.  It was acknowledged that that the pandemic was unprecedented and had cost numerous lives.  Members welcomed wellbeing support and initiatives for those who had suffered bereavement and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To consider a report from the Senior Manager – Policy and Scrutiny (copy enclosed).

Members received a report that presented a draft scope for a Scrutiny Task and Finish Review on fluoridation of water supplies.

Members agreed to include international research in the scope and following a suggestion from a member, alternative methods of delivery.  Members were asked to nominate a Chair of the Task and Finish Group and consider membership.

RESOLVED,that

(1)   with the inclusions of international research and alternative methods of delivery, the scope for the Task and Finish Group on fluoridation of water supplies be agreed.;

(2)  Cllr S Haraldsen be elected Chair of the Task and Finish Group;

(3)  all non-executive members be invited to participate in the Group.

To consider a report by the Executive Director – Corporate, Customer and Community Services (copy enclosed).

Members received a report providing an update from Scrutiny Performance Working Group.  Members noted that the Working Group had met on 25 March 2021 and had received the Corporate Performance Monitoring Report (Quarter 3) 2020/21 and discussed future agenda items. 

The Chair informed members that sickness absence would be on the agenda for the Scrutiny Management Board’s September meeting.  In answer to a member’s question, the Chair of the Health Scrutiny Committee agreed to consider an item on Deprivation of Liberty Standard (DoLS) at a future meeting of Health Scrutiny Committee and/or Joint Health/Adults meeting.

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.

To receive updates from the Chair of each of the following:-

            Scrutiny Panel - Children and Young People           Mrs V Tarbitt

            Scrutiny Panel - Adults                                                 Mr M Wilson

            Cumbria Health Scrutiny Committee        Ms C McCarron Holmes

            Scrutiny Panel - Communities and Place                  Mr S Collins

            Cumbria Police and Crime Panel                               Mr W McEwan   

            Cumbria LEP Scrutiny                                                  Mr W Wearing

The Board received an update on the work of the Scrutiny Advisory Boards, Panels and Committees from each of the Chairs.

(1)`Scrutiny Advisory Board – Children and Young People

The Chair of the Scrutiny Advisory Board – Children and Young People informed member that a meeting of the Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Advisory  Board took place on 9 February 2021 and an informal meeting had been held on 17 June.  The items considered at the meetings were COVID Children’s Systems Update, the Cumbria Youth Justice Plan, Post-16 employment and skills and Alternative Provision in North Cumbria.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Board was scheduled for 21 September and items identified for the agenda were Children and Young People’s Plan; School and Education Vision and Local Government Reform and children’s services.  The Chair informed members that for the December Board meeting updates would be received on the Early Help Strategy with a focus on outcomes using the NSPCC neglect evaluation and updates on standing items including SEND and Child Exploitation.

(2)       Scrutiny Advisory Board – Adults

Members were informed that the Adult Scrutiny Advisory Board held an informal session on 22 June where an update had been provided on the strategic position of Adult Social Care and the pandemic.  The Board members took the opportunity once again to pay tribute to the courageous, creative, determined and resilient staff in the Social Care Sector, and the County Council workforce. The Board was keen to highlight members of the public who have been bereaved due to COVID and the response that CCC and NHS Trust bodies were supporting those people to give access to community and professional Mental Health care.  The Board had been particularly interested in wellbeing support and initiatives in place to support the workforce

It was noted that the next meeting of the Adults Scrutiny Board would take place on 1 October and items for the agenda were being considered at a planning meeting with the Executive Director – People. 

(3)       Cumbria Health Scrutiny Committee

Members were informed that since the last meeting of the Cumbria Health Scrutiny Committee, the Chair, Ms C Driver, had stood down and Mrs C McCarron-Holmes had been appointed as the new Chair.

Members were informed that the Health Scrutiny Committee had been monitoring the impact of the pandemic on the delivery of other health pathways and would continue to do this through regular meetings with System Leaders in both areas. The Committee meeting that was scheduled for the 3rd June had been cancelled due to restrictions and changes to legislation in respect of remote meetings.  The next meeting of the Committee would be held on 21 July and a number of items would be considered at this meeting, including the impact of the Covid pandemic, NCIC CQC Action Plan, Early stroke discharge service and Healthcare Infrastructure Programme.

The Chair of the Health Scrutiny Committee updated members on Penrith Urgent Treatment that was to change its style of delivery  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

To consider a report from the Senior Manager – Policy and Scrutiny (copy enclosed).

Members received a report that provided the Board with an update on issues and developments that had occurred since their meeting in March 2021.  The appendices to the report also provided Board Members with the Scrutiny Work Programme and the current Forward Plan of Key Decisions. 

In discussion of the work programme, members were informed that the strategic planning process was in place and the Task and Finish Group on Local Government Review (LGR) would respond accordingly when an announcement on LGR was made.

RESOLVED, that

(1)  the range of activity report be noted;

(2)  the work programme presented in Appendix 1 be agreed;

(3)  the Forward Plan of Key Decisions be noted.

To note that the next meeting of the Board will take place on 9 September 2021 at Cumbria House, Carlisle at 10.00 am.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Board would be held on 9 September 2021 at 10.00 am in Cumbria House, Carlisle.