An apology for absence was received from Councillor Morey.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 21 January 2013.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Shadow Health and Wellbeing Board held on 21 January 2013 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider a report on the above.

Members considered a report that set out proposals for how Torbay’s Health and Wellbeing Board operates once it is established by the Council at its Annual meeting on 15 May 2013.  The Shadow Health and Wellbeing Board had received support from the Local Government Association in preparing for the formal introduction of the Board on 1 April 2013.  The Regulations governing the health and wellbeing boards had been released and confirmed that the boards will be appointed as local authority committees with the majority of rules that govern council committees also applying to health and wellbeing boards.  As a result an Article (setting the scene) and Standing Orders (the rules governing the operation of the Board) had been drafted taking account of the Act and Regulations.

Agreed:

i)     that, subject to the inclusion of a description of how the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board fits with the Health and Wellbeing Board, the draft Article and Standing Orders be forwarded to the Adjourned Annual Meeting of Torbay Council to form the basis of the appointment of the Torbay Health and Wellbeing Board;

ii)    that the framework of the Work Programme be agreed and that the Director of Public Health identify topics for inclusion in the early part of the Work Programme; and

iii)   that work continue on outstanding development issues identified in paragraph 3.19 of the submitted report and that updates be provided to future meetings of the Health and Wellbeing Board.

To consider a report on the above.

Consideration of this item was deferred to a future meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board.

To consider a report that seeks endorsement of the South Devon and Torbay Clinical Commissioning Group Integrated Plan 2013 - 2016

Members considered a report of the South Devon and Torbay Clinical Commissioning Group’s (CCG) Integrated Plan.  The Plan sets out the priorities and outcomes the CCG will be working with partners to achieve in the next three years.

Agreed: that the South Devon and Torbay Clinical Commissioning Group Integrated Plan be endorsed.

To receive an update on the current position of the Clinical Commissioning Group.

The Board was informed that the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) would be fully authorised on 1 April 2013 and would going ‘live’ without any conditions.

To receive an update on the current position of Adult Services.

The Board was informed that the commissioning of Adult Social Care by Torbay Council through Torbay and Southern Devon Health and Care NHS Trust (“the Trust”) had been agreed for 2013/14 following approval of the Annual Strategic Agreement at Council on 28 February 2013.  This was set within the context of the Trust being acquired by a Foundation Trust.  The Council has a working party which relates to an overarching project board which will steer the project through to acquisition.

To receive an update on the current position of Healthwatch.

Members received an update from Kevin Dixon of Torbay Healthwatch who, advised that everything was going well with grant aid funding having been secured for a period of two years.

To receive an update on the current position of Children’s Services.

The Board was advised that Children’s Services had received an unannounced inspection by Ofsted, with the findings being announced on 9 April 2013.  Members were informed that Ofsted had specifically requested the Health and Wellbeing Board receive and take responsibility for overseeing the recommendations set out in the Inspection Report.

To receive an update on the current position of Public Health.

Debbie Stark, Director of Public Health explained that at Council on 28 February 2013 it was agreed responsibility for Public Health would be transferred to the local authority on 1 April 2013.  Debbie further explained that the financial position for Public Health had been confirmed for two years enabling the base line to be covered and a reserve to be established.

To receive a briefing on the Public Sector Equality Duty and the implications for the Board’s work over the coming year.

The Board considered a report on the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED).  The PSED is enshrined within the Equality Act which gained Royal Assent in April 2010 and came into force on 5 April 2011.  The PSED contains general and specific duties that apply to all public bodies carrying out public functions resulting in Torbay Council and the CCG having to comply.  In light of this it is essential that the Health and Wellbeing Board looks at how the decisions it makes and the services that are provided affect people.

An Equality Impact Assessment has been undertaken of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy and highlights a current lack of understanding and/or articulation of the impacts on all of those groups with protected characteristics and their experiences in relation to healthcare, access to healthcare and wellbeing generally.

Agreed: that, in accordance with the Equality Impact Assessment for the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy, a refresh of both the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy be undertaken by April 2014, to take account of the Public Sector Equality Duty.