Agenda item

The report sets out the proposed chairing arrangements for future meetings, notes the terms of reference and proposes consideration of stakeholder involvement.

The Joint Committee is asked to consider the recommendations in the report.

The Chair introduced the business report.

A.        Proposed Chairing Arrangements for future meetings

The Joint Committee considered the proposed chairing arrangements for future meetings.

·         February 2018 – North Somerset Council

·         June 2018 – South Gloucestershire Council

Meeting dates to be confirmed outside of the meeting. Action: Officers

The Joint Committee AGREED the proposed chairing arrangements for future meetings

B.        Terms of reference and working arrangements

The Joint Committee considered the terms of reference and working arrangements as set out in the appendices.

In response to the Cllr Kent’s proposal to amend the Terms of Reference, to include scrutiny of the proposed merger of the regional clinical commissioning groups the following points were noted in discussion:

a.      The terms of reference had been agreed at the Full Council of each of the three authorities.  The Legal Officer confirmed that any proposed amendments would need to go back to the individual Full Councils of the three authorities.

b.      There was concern by councillors that it was not clear that they had the ability to scrutinise the proposed joint CCG and sub regional health body arrangements

c.       It was acknowledged that if the proposed merger of CCGs was agreed that the new body would not be formally constituted until April 2018. It was thought that although likely, the outcome shouldn’t be taken for granted within the context of this meeting.  It was advised that a decision would be taken on 25^th October.

d.      It was recognised that due to differences in the authorities’ committee calendars, there could be timing issues in managing the process to change the terms of reference

e.      It was not clear to all members that an amendment was required at this stage prior to the confirmation of the decision to merge.

f.        It was not clear to members whether a newly merged CCG would operate outside of the existing Sustainable Transformation Plan.  It was confirmed by the Chief Executive, BNSSG CCGs that the organisation(s) welcomed scrutiny holding them to account both in individual and joint form and confirmed that CCGs were core members of the STP and coterminous with the STP.  It was noted that any exercise of restriction of treatments for cost savings constituted a change to service but was not part of the STP.

g.      The Joint Committee was asked to note that individual authorities were engaged in ongoing dialogue with the CCGs to discuss individual local authority concerns.

The Chair asked the Joint Committee to vote on the proposed amendment to the Joint Committee’s Terms of Reference to be passed to individual authorities to progress.

That the terms of reference add the power to scrutinise the new CCG and other NHS bodies acting together across North Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire.

Councillor Kent moved the amendment.

Councillor Hope seconded the amendment

Upon being put to the vote,

The Joint Committee RESOLVED that the proposed amendment be referred to individual authorities to progress through their governance processes. (17 members voted in favour with 1 abstention). Action: Officers

C.        Invitation of co-optees or involvement of other stakeholders

The Joint Committee considered the invitation of co-optees or involvement of other stakeholders.

In discussion the following points were noted:

a.      North Somerset had co-opted Healthwatch as an independent voice to the North Somerset Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel and had found this to be a positive working arrangement.

b.      The Chair welcomed the role of Healthwatch as an independent voice and considered that a range of appropriate stakeholders with the relevant expertise could be invited to attend future meetings as required.

c.       It was acknowledged that as the Joint Committee’s membership was already a significant number it may not be appropriate to invite co-optees at this stage.

The Joint Committee RESOLVED that:

A.     the proposed chairing arrangements for future meetings be agreed

B.      the Joint Committee’s terms of reference and working arrangements as set out in the appendices be noted and that the proposed amendment be referred to individual authorities to progress through their governance processes.

C.      relevant expertise and stakeholder involvement be requested when appropriate but not via a co-opted arrangement at this stage.