To receive apologies for absence, including notifications of any changes to the membership of the Board.

It was reported that, in accordance with the wishes of the Liberal Democrat Group, the membership of the Board had been amended to include Councillor Fox in place of Councillor Law.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 7 February 2024.

The minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 7 February 2024 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider the revised Carers Strategy and report from Healthwatch Torbay and make recommendations to the Cabinet.

The following people have been invited to attend to take part in the discussions on this item:

·                     Members of Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Board;

·                     Members of Children and Young People’s Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Board;

·                     Pat Harris, Healthwatch Torbay;

·                     Carol Brown, Chair of the Carers’ Strategy Steering Group;

·                     Jo Williams, Director of Adults and Community Services;

·                     Councillor Tranter, Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services, Public Health and Inequalities; and

·                     Katy Heard, Carers Lead, Torbay And South Devon NHS Foundation Trust.

Documents Attached:

·                     Carers Strategy;

·                     Healthwatch Torbay Report; and

·                     Responses to Key Lines of Enquiry.

The Board considered the submitted draft Torbay Interagency Carers’ Strategy 2024-2027 which had been co-designed with Carers, users, partners and professional experts to bring together the work of Health and Care Organisations to ensure joined up, working towards best practice and provide good quality services with Carers at the heart of their work.  Carers were people who support family, friends and neighbours who cannot manage alone due to their health and care needs.  It was noted that 13 March 2024 was Young Carers’ Action Day and Young Carers had circulated a video that they had made to raise awareness.

Members noted that Carers had agreed that the priorities from the previous strategy would remain the same.  They have developed ‘I statements’ showing what they want. 

1.            ‘As soon as I start my caring role, I want to be identified, recognised and valued as a Carer.’

2.            ‘I want to be able to easily find information, advice and support to meet my needs as a Carer.’

3.            ‘I want to know that every Carer involved in a person’s care can have a Carer’s assessment when they need one.’

4.            ‘I want to be confident that Carers guide all things that affect them.’

5.            ‘I want the care and support to the person that I care for to also meet my needs as their Carer.’

Within these priorities, there were other issues to be addressed:

a.            Information to Carers to include support to the person they care for.

b.            Carers and employment.

c.            Carers’ own mental health and support to people with Mental Health issues and their Carers.

d.            Partnership working / information sharing across organisations.

e.            Carers finance / cost-of living challenges.

f.             Improving support at transitions.

g.            Improving use of technology and digital support.

Carol Brown, Chair of the Carers’ Strategy Steering Group, who was also a Carer herself explained some of the difficulties facing Carers and outlined a number of questions relating to funding, early identification of Carers by all professionals through professional curiosity, equality between those caring for people with mental health and those with physical disabilities, respite services, the Community Helpline, access to technology and communicating changes resulting from feedback.  These topics were also highlighted in the Strategy.  It was agreed that a written response would be provided to those questions not responded to at the meeting. 

Pat Harris, Healthwatch Torbay advised that Healthwatch had been working with Carers to evaluate the last Carers’ Strategy and helped to reassure Carers that they were being listened to and their feedback taken into account.  Two reports would be published following this work which would be shared with partners.  Replacement care (also known as ‘respite’) was identified as a major issue due to lack of provision when people wanted to go away, especially when this was planned in advance as providers would not reserve the places.  Ms Harris highlighted the complexity of Carers accessing services whilst supporting those who they cared for particularly GP and Dentists trying to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

To consider a report on the performance of the Council’s capital projects and make recommendations to the Cabinet.

To consider lessons learned from the Harbour View Hotel project.

(Note:  The Director of Pride in Place – Alan Denby, The Cabinet Member for Place Development and Economic Growth - Councillor Chris Lewis and The Cabinet Member for Housing and Finance - Councillor Tyerman (housing) have been invited to the meeting for this item.)

The Board reviewed the submitted report which set out the latest position on the Capital Projects.  The Cabinet Member for Place Development and Economic Growth advised that many of the projects showing as red were being developed by the Council’s Regeneration Partners Wilmot Dixon and Milligan who would be providing outline business cases on where they think the market could be for these projects. 

The Board asked a number of questions in relation to the use of acronyms, how the Capital and Growth Board operates and links in with Councillors, why some of the previous information requested and the lessons learned from the Harbour View project were not included in the report, what progress was made on the Edginswell Station and how were Ward Councillors kept informed of projects in their Wards.

Members found the information contained within the submitted report useful but requested sight of the wider schemes so that they could have an overview of the whole Capital Programme.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Finance, Councillor Tyerman, advised that he had recently joined the Capital and Growth Board to enable political oversight and it was proposed to create a Cross Party Sub-Board that sat below the Capital and Growth Board to allow wider Member interface and the ability for the Members of that new Group to feedback to their individual groups.  The Director for Pride in Place, Alan Denby, acknowledged that the Council needed to get to a position of a greater grip on the capital projects and ensure consistent methodology was applied.  It was proposed to have a summary programme with milestones and public costings available for the next meeting.

The Director of Pride in Place advised that the lessons learned from the Harbour View Project had not been included as the project had not been completed but that it was expected to be completed in the next few weeks and then officers would work on the lessons learned liaising with those who were involved.  Mr Denby also advised that the report was written in February and lots of work was progressing such as finalising Levelling Up proposals for six different workstreams, which involved a great deal of officer resource and impacted on delivery of other workstreams.  Mr Denby gave assurance that it was part of the normal business as usual to consult with Ward Councillors but this was an area that needed improvement due to the huge volume of work and limited number of staff, which was something that would be explored as part of the upcoming Local Government Association Peer Challenge to find a way how to prioritise or invest in extra resources to deliver the Council’s priorities.

Members were advised of the complexity of the Edginswell Station project and that ongoing negotiations were taking place with the Department for Transport and Network Rail with a view to reducing the costs of the scheme and some of the commissioning arrangements.  It would not be possible for work to start in May but if an  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

To consider the above Councillor Call for Action received from Councillor George Darling and determine if the Board wishes Officers to prepare a full report on the matter.

In accordance with Standing Order D13, Councillor Long read out a statement on behalf of Councillor George Darling on his reasons for submitting a Councillor Call for Action regarding Planning Enforcement.

The Board had to determine whether or not to request officers to prepare a full report on the matter.

Resolved (unanimously):

That the Overview and Scrutiny Board requests officers to prepare a full report on Planning Enforcement to be presented to the Board on 8 May 2024 when the Board is due to consider an update on the Review of Planning Service for the Future.