Hampshire County Council Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Hampshire Together Meeting

No apologies were received, all Members were in attendance.

Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter considered at the meeting they must declare that interest at the time of the relevant debate and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3, Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Personal Interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 of the Code, considered whether it was appropriate to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

Councillor Prof Barrie Margetts declared that was on the Council of Governors for the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust.

Councillor Rod Cooper declared that he was on the Council of Governors for Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust.  

Councillor Roger Huxstep was nominated to Chair the Joint Committee and following a vote of the members present was duly elected.

Councillor Ann Briggs was nominated for Vice Chairman of the Joint Committee and following a vote of those present was duly elected.

The Chairman invited the Members on the Joint Committee to introduce themselves. The Chairman highlighted that Councillor Bill Chapman from Surrey County Council was in attendance as an observer.

The Committee did not receive any deputations.

The Joint Committee reviewed the Terms of Reference for the ‘Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Hampshire Together Programme)’ (see Item 7 in the Minute Book) as agreed at the Hampshire County Council meeting on 3 December 2020.

RESOLVED:

The Joint Committee note the Terms of Reference for the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Hampshire Together Programme).

The Joint Committee agreed to suspend standing order 12 to allow Councillor Jackie Porter to speak. Councillor Porter noted that the County Council Standing Orders exclude elected members from making a deputation to a meeting and exclude a repeat deputation on the same topic within six months. She requested that these parts of Standing Orders be suspended for the duration of the Joint Committee, to enable local councillors to speak at the meetings due to the potential impact of the proposals on their residents.

The Members of the Joint Committee debated this request. It was discussed that requests to speak within six months could be considered if the programme had reached a different stage. It was discussed that while the views of local members were relevant, it was important to retain standing orders in order to manage time at the meetings. Following the debate the Joint Committee:

RESOLVED: That requests to speak at meetings of the Joint Committee would be considered on an ad hoc basis and consideration given to the suspension of standing orders around deputations on a case by case basis.

The Joint Committee received a report and supporting presentation from the Chief Executive of Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Partnership of Clinical Commissioning Groups (see Item 9 in the Minute Book). The report provided an update on the development of proposals for the future of hospital services in North and Mid Hampshire under the programme ‘Hampshire Together – Modernising our Hospitals and Health Services’ that were being prepared for consultation in 2021.

Members heard that it was planned to initiate a public consultation on the proposals in mid to late May 2021 to avoid the consultation being open during the pre-election period leading in to local elections in early May. Members discussed the proposals and gave feedback on issues including the importance of public transport access to hospitals and parking for staff.

RESOLVED:

The Joint Committee note the update.

The Joint Committee considered the draft ‘Our Consultation Plan’ document and received a presentation summarising the content (see Item 10 in the Minute Book). Members commented on the plans for how to consult including suggestions that the Learning Disability Partnership Board be consulted and that efforts be made to establish the views of hard to reach groups.  

RESOLVED:

The Joint Committee:

1.    Support the plan for public consultation on the proposals.

2.    Agree the proposed timing for future meetings in connection with the consultation period.

3.    Agree to receive interim written updates between meetings where relevant.

Regarding information that could be provided to the Joint Committee in future it was requested that this include:

·         Modelling of patient flows

RESOLVED:

The next meeting of the Joint Committee would potentially take place in February 2021, to provide an update on the latest position and outline the forward timeline where possible.