Following the meeting of the Council held on 20 September 2018, to consider the attached motion which, in accordance with Standing Order A14.3(a), stood referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Board.

Consideration of the points raised within Motion took place during the debate on the item in Minute 32.

Members considered a motion in relation to the proposed merger of the governing bodies of the Clinical Commissioning Groups within Devon, notice of which was given in accordance with Standing Order A14.  In the absence of Councillor Long, the Chairman permitted Councillor Sanders to propose the motion.

Councillor Sanders proposed and Councillor Darling (S) seconded the motion, as set out below:

Torbay Council notes that the Governing Bodies of the Clinical Commissioning Groups in Devon have submitted an ‘expression of interest’ to merge.

This Council further notes that the following concerns have been raised at meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Board:

·         The lack of any positive outcomes in terms of improved services for local residents;

·         The lack of clarity on how a new merged body would be accountable to local people;

·         Concerns about Torbay’s influence in a larger body being watered down;

·         Concerns that this decision could be made behind closed doors without public consultation; and

·         Questions over whether funds currently earmarked for Torbay might be subsumed into a wider body.

It is understood that similar issues have been raised at meetings of Devon County Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Board. 

This Council understands that this issue will be discussed at a meeting of Torbay’s Overview and Scrutiny Board in October, and recommends that a written report is presented from the local Clinical Commissioning Group responding to the above concerns at that meeting.

In accordance with Standing Order A14.3(a), the motion stood referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Board.