Agenda and minutes

Councillor Simpson declared a personal interest in all matters under consideration as an employee of the NHS.

It was agreed:

An update on Mental Health and Primary Care should be brought to the 30^th September 2020 meeting.

It was agreed:

1. The minutes of the meeting held on the 20th February 2020 be approved as a correct record.

There were no public questions.

Lesley Jones, Director of Public Health to update at the meeting.

Lesley Jones, Director of Public Health, provided an update on the application to change a pharmacy provision.

It was agreed:

The Board had no comments to submit regarding the proposal and was happy to not submit any comments on the matter.

Simon Featherstone, Interim Chief Officer/Director of Nursing

Bury Care Organisation will report at the meeting. Presentation attached.

Simon Featherstone, Interim Chief Officer/Director of Nursing Bury Care Organisation provided the Board with a presentation on Secondary Care Recovery.

Following the presentation there was discussions regarding how demands for the Flu Vaccine may need adapted services. It was clarified that Bury does have a Bury wide Flu Planning Group which is looking at preparing for the increase in demand.

It was agreed:

Simon be thanked for his presentation.

Sajid Hashmi, Bury Voluntary, Community and Faith Alliance to update at the meeting. Report attached.

SajidHashmi, Bury Voluntary, Community and Faith Alliance provided and update on Community Volunteers.

Discussions took place regarding social isolation and preventative support such as the social prescribing service and the refreshed Loneliness Strategy.

The Board discussed how the amount of volunteers has decreased now people are entering back into work and engagement is taking place to see if any previous volunteers can offer any additional support.

It was agreed:

1.  Sajid be thanked for his update.

Update from Greater Manchester Police attached.

Mike Brennan, Greater Manchester Police Provided the Board with an update on Greater Manchester Police’s COVID-19 Recovery.

GMP Initially assisted the public and the local authority to support businesses via the 4 E plan. This went very well and was positively received in Bury with very good compliance from the members of the public. One of the main areas of support was around licensing and compliance for certain businesses such as hairdressers, barbers and licensed premises. GMP have been integral in the support and planning with partners of re-opening of the night time economy in Bury and continues to be one of our key areas of business.

It was agreed:

1.   Mike be thanked for his presentation.

Nicola Mayor from the Contingency Planning Unit, to update at the meeting. Report attached.

Nicola Mayor, Contingency Planning Unit gave an update on the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service. Val Hussain, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service advised that partnership working is essential for the Fire Service to target vulnerable households who are most at risk of fire. Safe and Well visits are not taking place in person and instead conversations are taking place on the phone. Smoke alarms and fire retardant blankets are being set out to those who require it and if people are at a particularly high risk of fire or arson the service are entering people’s homes to fit fire alarms with full PPE equipment.

It was agreed:

Nicola and Val be thanked for the presentation and update.

Julie Gonda, Director of Community Commissioning to update at the meeting. Report attached.

Julie Gonda, Director of Community Commissioning (DASS), provided an update on Nursing and Residential Homes. Julie Gonda advised there has been approximately an 11% reduction in numbers of people in care homes, conversely there has been an 11% increase in care at home services showing the customers have stayed constant but service delivery has changed.

Councillor Simpson, wished to congratulate care providers on their recognition of hard work and dedication. A thank you was also given to the Provider Relationship Team who work hard with our care homes to ensure they are well supported.

It was agreed:

1.   Julie Gonda be thanked for her update.

Lesley Jones, Director of Public Health to update at the meeting. Report attached.

Lesley Jones, Director of Public Health Bury provided an update on test and trace. Since the last Health and Wellbeing Board there has now been over 1300 confirmed cases and sadly, 230 COVID related deaths, we have seen the establishment and easing of lockdown too. The national test and trace system been set up and as part of that Bury has published our local outbreak plan on 30^th July. Sets out our arrangements on how we interface with other tiers and set about outbreak management. The plan is overseen by the COVID-19 Health Protection Board. Since establishment of the Board there has been 220 confirmed Bury cases with 58% of contacts followed up and tier 1 part of the system having 100% contact. 

There have been outbreaks in Care Homes in Schools and Early Year settings but these have changed and improved. A new contain framework has been published by Government, including new powers to close venues and outdoor events. We do anticipate a likely second wave, it is suggested this time is to strengthen community engagement especially with BAME communities and the younger population along with those who are high risk of contracting the virus.

It was agreed:

1.   That Lesley be thanked for her update.

Karen Dolton, Executive Director Children’s Services to update at the meeting. Report attached.

Karen Dolton, Executive Director Children’s Services provided an update on School’s. Following the lockdown Schools have been open for key workers and vulnerable children. There has been a large amount of work that has took place to encourage parents of vulnerable children send their Children to school during this time. Extended opening up on 22.06.2020 to other cohorts of students; Reception, Year one, Year six and Year ten. Following this risk assessments have been taking by schools to outline if they can take wider cohorts of children.

Before the summer schools were between 15-17% of children back in Schools, which was one of the best in Greater Manchester. Large amount of work before September opening. Heads want children to return to school, however a large amount of the first term is likely to consist of chasing parents and families up to discuss about children returning. Throughout the pandemic, remote and distance learning has been provided for home use and the Bury’s Teachers Alliance is doing a review on the provision so any good practice can be continued.

Specialist Schools in the Borough have had a fairly low number of students returning, this is due to a large amount of the students shielding under Government Guidelines and the provision for remote learning has been so excellent it has felt safer for parents to continue this.

On return from lockdown some children may have thrived during the lockdown period but some may need support to catch up. So re baselining will take place and the first term will likely be teachers assessing where the children are at in their abilities and providing a work programme to support them.

The Board discussed how confident they are that schools have worked hard to support their children and families. Along with a special thanks for the strong contribution of Karen Dolton, Julien Kramer and Paul Cooke who have provided great leadership behind the scenes. Karen Dolton is due to leave the Council soon and this is her final Health and Wellbeing Board so the Board wanted to place their thanks on record for all her work at Bury Council.

Councillor Tariq, Cabinet Member for Cabinet Member Children, Young People and Skills advised that as a department we have been leading and engaging with the advisory group of Head Teachers. They have given focus and accountability accompanied by daily briefings. Weekly meeting with teacher union leads.

The Borough reopened schools on the 22/06/2020 going against Government guidance however following the opening there was 3 episodes of COVID-19 outbreak within schools. This demonstrated why moving to a later opening date than the Governments request for the 1^st of June felt justified. Fiona Robinson who runs St Marie’s Roman Catholic Primary School was commended across Greater Manchester for the way they dealt with the outbreak. A Virtual Conference with all Bury Head teachers is due to take place just before the term begins after the summer to support Schools.

It was agreed:

1.   Karen Dolton be thanked  ...  view the full minutes text for item HWB.93