Agenda and minutes

Councillor Connolly declared an interest in any item which related to staffing as his partner is an employee of Bury Council.

Delegated decision:

          That the minutes of the last meeting held on 4 February 2014, be approved as a correct record.

Lesley Jones, Director of Public Health gave a presentation on the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) being undertaken, which is intended to provide an assessment of local health and social care needs now and in the future.  It is hoped that the JSNA will be used to inform and guide commissioning of health, well-being and social care services within Bury.

       The presentation provided detailed statistical analysis of the health and wellbeing status of Bury communities on a ward by ward basis.  The data         showed where the inequalities in Bury exist and it was explained that this information would help to highlight key findings, identify changes that have occurred and what these changes mean to Bury and help to identify areas for further analysis and exploration.

       Some of the priorities identified following the local needs assessment exercise were detailed as follows:-

o  Pregnancy and Early Years

o  Children and Young People

o  Lifestyle and the Living Environment

o  Work and Welfare

o  Vulnerability

o  Ill Health and Mortality

The emerging priorities from the assessment were identified as:

o   Address health inequalities: causes, deprived communities, understand needs of vulnerable people

o   Emotional wellbeing and mental health

o   Ensuring a best start in life for children

o   Promoting independence for older people

o   Promoting healthy lifestyles:  alcohol, obesity, physical activity, smoking

o   Preventing premature mortality (especially cancers and circulatory diseases

o   Anticipating rising demand and need

       The meeting was informed that the Consultation for the JSNA would run from 18 February to 31 March, 2014.  The key questions forming the consultation would ask local residents if the priorities identified were the right ones and if there are other issues that would benefit from further exploration and if so, why are these important?

       Residents are asked to respond via Bury Council’s website at www.bury.gov.uk or via the leaflets being distributed throughout the community.  At the end of the Consultation process, a report would be compiled of all responses received and the Health & Wellbeing Board would consider the findings and implications for the Health and Wellbeing Strategy and relevant commissioning plans.

       The Chair invited questions, comments and representations from members of the public present at the meeting:-

o   Lesley Wildeman (Topping Fold TRA), stated that it was worrying that a percentage of people did not feel safe outside their home.

Lesley Jones replied that this percentage is improving and 80 % of people do feel safe, however, 100% of people should feel safe outside their home.

o   Tim Boaden (Seedfield Residents’ Association) asked why the early access to maternity care was not as high as anticipated.

It was explained that some women present later in pregnancy and therefore are not accessing all the support that is available from the early stages.

o   Mr Ainsworth questioned how some people could choose not to work?

It was explained that people live by other means, such as benefits and some people financially do not need to work.

o   Mr Ainsworth stated that it was a concern  ...  view the full minutes text for item 896.

Mr Stuart North, Chief Officer of Bury Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), accompanied by Andy Lowe and Sally Deaville, attended the meeting in order to give a presentation on the Healthier Together Initiative aimed at transforming health and care services in Bury, which was being implemented in conjunction with changes across Greater Manchester under the Healthier Together proposals.

           The presentation provided an outline of Healthier Together which would    draw together:-

·        A Greater Manchester Integrated Care Programme

·        A Healthier Together Programme

·        A Greater Manchester Primary Care Programme

                   An ‘In-Hospital Reconfiguration Programme’ would include a clinically led programme of work to develop safer, higher quality hospital services targeting:-

·        Urgent, Acute and Emergency Medicine

·        General Surgery, and

·        Women’s and Children’s services

           These changes have been proposed in order to meet an increasing number of demands on resources. The Reconfiguration Programme will provide health services at community level(integrating GPs, hospital doctors, community services and social care) and developing centres of excellence for more specialised needs. There would be a move towards lowering the need for emergency admissions/need for A&E visits through the introduction of 7 days a week GP availability. A pilot scheme was currently being run in Radcliffe and had seen improvements in health service provision.

The Chair invited questions, comments and representations from members of the Township Forum and from members of the public present at the meeting:-

·         Mr Ainsworth asked about the conflict of interest with GP’s

Mr North stated that GP’s were a necessity within the initiative and explained that there were 2 processes, NHS England who would approve decisions and an Audit Committee made up of Lay Members whose specific role was to review  decisions and conflicts of interest.

·         Councillor Connolly (Leader of the Council), asked with regards to the underfunding of £20 million and how this was being addressed.

Mr North explained through lobbying.  There have been discussions with colleagues within the Council, quotes in the press and discussions with local MP’s to hopefully take this issue to a higher level.

·         Mr Ainsworth asked if funding was not based on so much money per person.

Mr North explained that calculations are based on how much money per area, however, the £20 million has not been allocated and it was unknown when it would be.  It would not be within the next 2 years but in future years and it was a top priority to secure this money.

Councillor Connolly explained that Bury is underfunded overall and if money was allocated per head the Council would not have to make the decisions it does.

It was agreed:

That Mr North be thanked for his presentation and attendance at the meeting.

Dave Thomas, Township Co-ordinator, reported that unfortunately Inspector Jason Eddison was unable to attend the meeting tonight but would attend a future meeting of Bury East Township Forum.

A request was received from Ghulam Mujtaba, Rumi Spiritual and Educational Centre, which had been circulated to members prior to the meeting.  The proposal was to deliver a number of interactive sessions to raise alcohol awareness and the effects and problems around alcohol abuse through archery, which has been used as a sport to tackle insecurities and psychological issues in young people.  Ghulam explained that alcohol abuse is seen as a taboo subject in the BME community, they aim to create an atmosphere of confidence and trust to give people opportunities to ask questions and raise issues concerning alcohol.

                  Various questions were asked from the members of the Township Forum including:

·         Councillor Walmsley asked how much the application was for and for how many people.

Ghulam explained that originally the request was for £5,000 but now for just under £1,800 for 15 – 20 people from a variety of backgrounds.

·         Councillor Connolly asked about the cost of room hire for £1,000, which seemed excessive.

Ghulam explained that they are budgeting for around 5 sessions and it was hoped to use different venues, plus sessions with Early Break.

·         Councillor Stella Smith asked if young people would sign up for five sessions.

Ghulam explained that there would initially be an introductory session and then further sessions would include invited speakers.  It was hoped to keep venues within walking distance and was open to as many people as possible.

·         Councillor Connolly stated that five sessions at £200 per room seemed a lot.

Ghulam explained that this was to include presentations and work with Early Break.

·         Mr Ainsworth asked if this would aim to stop young people drinking.

Ghulam explained it was to make young people aware of issues relating to alcohol and drug abuse.

·         Councillor Walmsley asked how they would measure the level of success of the project.

Ghulam explained through feedback forms and surveys to gauge young peoples’ understanding.

·         Councillor Stella Smith asked how they would select the young people.

Ghulam explained partly through word of mouth through the Mosque, and also access schools and colleges and within social circles.  Some money would also be used for publications.

·         Councillor Connolly stated that he felt this was a very worthwhile project but was concerned about the cost and requested that this proposal request be adjourned for the elected members to have sight of the cost implications and also any input from organisations such as Early Break.

The Township Co-ordinator reported that he would circulate further information to the elected members that was provided from Ghulam with a view to the members making their decision outside the Township Forum, as the next meeting would not be until the following municipal year.

Dave Thomas, the Township Co-ordinator, reported to the members of the Township Forum that in liaison with Gemma Philburn from Streetwise 2000, it was hoped to engage more young people to feedback into the Township Forum.  A session on 1^st April 2014 had been arranged and another session was to be organised at the offices of ADAB.  The Township Co-ordinator stated that he would report back to the members before the next meeting of the outcome of these sessions.

                  Councillor Walmsley stated that at the meeting in November 2013, it was discussed then how to engage young people and in consultation with Becky Mayo, the Young Persons’ Representative of Bury East Township Forum, it was hoped to have pre-meetings, not necessarily just prior to the Forum meeting but anytime, where young people could express their views which could then be fed into the Agenda. 

The Chair, Councillor Cassidy, invited questions, comments and representations from members of the public present at the meeting.  Questions were asked and comments made on the issues detailed below.

o   Tim Boaden enquired about the 6 month placement schemes within the Council for young people and what happened after the 6 months.

The Township Co-ordinator explained that the 6 month placement gave young people the work experience necessary for securing full time employment and that they try to endeavour to create a path into full time work.

Councillor Connolly reported on the successes of the Backing Young Bury Scheme and the 6 month work experience which can be detailed on a young person’s CV, which can set them above other applicants when looking for full time employment.  Councillor Connolly gave examples of a number of young people who had secured apprenticeships and further employment following the scheme.

o   A local resident stated that he had attended the meeting of Bury East Township Forum when Highways had been present and he had raised various issues to do with flooding and street lighting around Heywood Street and Fletcher Street and nothing had been done to address these issues.  These were health and safety concerns as many children walk these streets on their way to the Mosque.

The Township Co-ordinator stated that these issues would be minuted and reported back to Highways.

o   Kath Bond raised the issue of vehicles parking on the pavements.

Councillor Cassidy stated this was an enforcement issue and to take pictures and report them to the Police.

o   Mr Ainsworth stated that the traffic lights at Moorgate are not in sync which is causing a traffic delay.  Also, yellow boxes are so faded that people are ignoring them.

Councillor Connolly agreed with Mr Ainsworth but stated that the traffic lights were owned by Transport for Greater Manchester but that it would be reported and it would be requested that the yellow boxes are re-painted.

Councillor Holt informed the Township Forum of a gentleman who had contacted him regarding a volunteer scheme to pick up elderly people and take them for tea at different locations.  The scheme is not looking for money or volunteers but more elderly people in which to benefit.  Councillor Holt asked if members of the Forum could pass this information on with a view to engaging more elderly people in accessing this service.

                  The Township Co-ordinator stated that if any information regarding the service could be forwarded to him, he would distribute to all members on the data base.

                  Dawn Treanor reminded the members of the Forum of the ‘I will if you will’ Scheme, encouraging girls and women to get more involved in physical exercise and reiterated how people could get information on the scheme on the website.

The Bury East Township Plan Update had been included in the Agenda for Members’ information.

The Bury East Funding Report had been included in the Agenda for Members’ information.

                     The next meeting of Bury East Township Forum is to be arranged.