The Chair commenced the meeting by asking for round the table introductions and welcomed colleagues from Health; Jo Hooper, Joint Commissioning Manager (Children’s Services) SDHT CCG, Pamela Harvey, Community Dietician, Life Skills Trust and Sue Matthews, on secondment to Children’s Services from Public Health.

The Commission listened to a presentation by Jo Hooper entitled Income Poverty in relation to Child Health. Jo explained that her role in the CCG was very much about providing a commissioning of universal services based on the needs of local people in 5 localities led by GPs/clinicians.

The presentation highlighted:-

·         The role of a Joint Commissioner in SDT CCG

·         Extracts from the NCB 2013 report relating to the hidden costs of poverty and recession

·         Facts and figures from Torbay’s JSNA 2013 report findings which include an increase in troubled families referrals

·         Main priorities for the CCG included CAMHS, Integrated working with Public Health and Local Authorities, Complex care, Transitions, Children’s Community Nursing and Autism

·         CAMHS: high number of referrals from GP’s – it was noted by the Commission that more than half of the referrals were signposted to other agencies

·         Looked After Children: it was noted that the number of LAC in Torbay was above average and that health colleagues have reported an increase in LAC health reviews. 

The Commission requested more clarity around the extent of a young person’s health as a direct result of not having enough money and family breakdown.  In response Jo stated that in her role the CCG does not specially commission services linked to child poverty and that there was not an easy answer to providing data to support specific poverty factors, although these were available nationally.

The Commission questioned the ability of the Child Poverty Commission to influence future commissioning of services within the CCG and it noted that future plans to promote a better economic opportunities through neighbourhood Anti-Poverty Innovation Zones is being flagged as good practice together with recognising what works (e.g Hele) and the formation of Community Hubs. 

The Chair highlighted that the recent NCB 2013 report findings say that the situation today relating to children’s lives in poor health, underachievement at school and lack of opportunities to fulfil their potential is no better that it was in the NCB 1973 report.  It was agreed to circulate this report to Members.

The Commission noted that Torbay Council and Healthwatch are holding an event at Parkfield on 5^th October 12 pm – 6pm to enable young people from across the community to come together and have their say about what they think about living in the Bay and will include what services they would like to see.

Pam Harvey, Community Dietician summarised the views of her colleagues in the Life Skills Team in relation to child poverty and food which included:-

·         Low income – impact on health

·         Lack of knowledge/skills to prepare food (relying on convenient foods)

·         Anxiety about trying new foods (including weaning babies onto to inappropriate foods

Pam highlighted the practical support offered  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

Apologies were received from Anna Kettley, Save the Children, Cllr Neil Bent and Cllr Julien Parrott

The minutes of the last meeting on 20^th June 2013 were checked for accuracy and actions noted.

Actions:

i)             Child Poverty Commission ‘Wash Up’ October meeting date to be changed (SM)

ii)            Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (Cllr Julien Parrott) paper to be submitted as evidence at the Wash up meeting (MK/JP))

iii)           Item 7 (i) pending: Chair to circulate further statistical information to Group (MK)

iv)           Item 6: Overview and Scrutiny Youth Unemployment Report: response being prepared for recommendations by RW.  The Report with response will be circulated to the Commission (RW)

The Chair asked the Commission for their views on a request from Cllr Colwell to attend a Child Poverty meeting to evidence the proposed Living Wage paper.  After consideration it was felt that this was not appropriate evidence for the Commission to hear.

The Chair asked the Commission for their view and comments on the interim Torbay Child Poverty Commission ‘Torbay Gains’ report which outlines the background of the Commission’s evidence findings. 

The Chair talked through the main headings of the report which includes:-

·         Foreword

·         Introduction – who we are

·         Context – case studies/examples of research evidence to be added

·         Commission framework

·         Process –

·         Evidence – further evidence to be included/heard from young people, Youth Offending Team, Children’s Centres/Nurseries, Neigbourhood Plans and health

The Commission recognised the importance of the emerging themes from the evidence that has been heard and that a What Next heading will include specific recommendations in the final report.  The Commission is happy with the title of the report being ‘Torbay Gains’.

Actions

i)             Draft interim Torbay Child Poverty Commission ‘Torbay Gains’ to be circulated to members for individual feedback/comments by 3^rd October to Susan Moses (SM)

ii)            Amendments/additions to report to include case studies, corporate responsibility and  more detailed breakdown of statistical information (MK)

iii)           Wash up meeting to pick up on further evidence from YOT, Child costs/nursery provision; feedback on Neighbourhood Plan (JS);