Agenda and draft minutes

Members are asked to declare any interests in the items under consideration and in doing so state:

(1)   the type of interest concerned; and

(2)   the nature of the interest concerned

If any Member requires advice on declarations of interests, they are advised to contact the Head of Democratic Governance in advance of the meeting.

To agree the minutes of the last meeting held on 22^nd January 2015 as a true and correct record.

The Committee agreed that the minutes of the Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 22nd January 2015, be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To consider the Executive and Cabinet Member decisions taken since the last meeting of the Scrutiny Committee.

The Committee considered the decisions taken since the last meeting of the Scrutiny Committee by the Executive and Cabinet Members.

A question was raised in relation to decision number EX/5/2015 ‘Designation of Foxhall Conservation Area and Raikes Hall Conservation Area and Extension of Town Centre Conservation Area’, as to whether any new developments would have to comply with any particular material or design specifications. In the absence of the relevant Cabinet Member, Councillor Wright, Mr S. Sienkiewicz, Scrutiny Manager, agreed to obtain an answer to the question and forward this onto the Committee members in due course.

In connection with decision number PH/8/2015 ‘Disposal of Land – Lancashire Energy Headquarters’, it was asked whether the decision was considered to be ahead of time, given that no decision had yet been taken on the subject of fracking. Councillor Blackburn responded by pointing out that Blackpool and the Fylde College was keen to stress that it was an onshore and offshore energy college and so was not limited to the subject of fracking. The College had accepted funding which had been made available by Government.

The Committee agreed to note the Executive and Cabinet Member Decisions.

To consider the content of the Council’s Forward Plan, issue number 2/2015.

The Committee considered the items contained within the Forward Plan, issue number 2/2015.

The Committee agreed to note the Forward Plan items.

To receive current performance information against Council priorities 4, 7, 8 and 9.

Dr A. Rajpura, Director of Public Health, presented a report to the Committee that detailed current performance information against Council priority 4, ‘Improve Health and Wellbeing, especially for the most disadvantaged’.

He began by explaining the challenges for 2014/15, which were focussed around healthcare, lifestyle factors and the wider determinants of health.

Referring to healthcare, Dr Rajpura provided details of the NHS Health check programme, which was available to people between the ages of 40 and 74 to assess the risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease and certain types of dementia. It was reported that all of Blackpool’s GP practices had signed up to the programme which was achieving slightly above the target level of assessments. It was however accepted that not all of the people at risk were on the register and that work was being carried out with the Clinical Commissioning Group to identify as many people at possible who might be at risk.

On the subject of lifestyle issues, Dr Rajpura highlighted smoking as being a real issue and a major factor in ill health. He pointed out that approximately 400 people died prematurely each year in Blackpool as a result of smoking and that a further 8,000 suffered from smoking related diseases. The statistics were above the national average but were improving. A good example of this was that in 2007, 42% of pregnant mothers were smoking, a figure that had now been cut to 27%. Dr Rajpura spoke of the measures within the Lancashire Tobacco Control Strategy, which was being implemented across the County, as well as the provision of local smoking cessation services.

In relation to mental health issues, the Committee was informed of the work underway on the development of a Mental Health and Wellbeing Campaign Strategy for Blackpool to be implemented in 2015/16. Work was also continuing around suicide prevention and the de-stigmatisation of mental health problems, with the delivery of suicide awareness training (safeTALK) for frontline staff.     

Dr Rajpura went on to speak about the work being carried out to reduce obesity levels, which he described as being particularly challenging, given the availability of high content sugar and salt foods. He pointed out the worrying statistics of 1 in 4 children being overweight upon entry into school and 1 in 3 upon leaving. He gave details of the healthy breakfast scheme within schools, the Better Start Scheme and breastfeeding programmes, all of which were helping to curb child obesity issues.

On the subject of alcohol, Members were informed that the high availability of relatively low cost alcohol continued to be a problem. Dr Rajpura spoke of the work being carried out in this area, including the curbing of advertising and the alcohol nurse liaison scheme in the Accident and Emergency department, which was working to reduce alcohol related hospital admissions.

Dr Rajpura responded to a number of questions from the Committee. On the subject of young people being educated to cook and eat healthy foods, he explained that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To consider the report of the Children’s Services (Safeguarding) Scrutiny Review Panel.

The Committee considered a written report on the progress of the Children’s Services (Safeguarding) Scrutiny Review Panel.

The Committee agreed to note the content of the report.

Background papers: None.

To consider the report of the Education Scrutiny Review Panel.

The Committee considered a written report on the progress of the Education Scrutiny Review Panel.

The Committee agreed to note the content of the report.

Background Papers: None.

To consider progress updates on the appointed Scrutiny Panels including verbal updates from Lead Members.

The Committee considered a progress report on the appointed Scrutiny Panels.

Councillor Mrs Callow spoke about the Outside Bodies Scrutiny Panel meeting which had taken place with representatives from Blackpool Zoo on 17th February. She reported that visitor numbers and the overall spend at the zoo had gone up and that good progress was being made.

The Committee agreed to note the report.

Background papers: None.

To consider the Scrutiny Workplan, together with any suggestions that Members may wish to make for scrutiny review topics.

The Committee considered its Workplan for the remainder of the Municipal Year.

The Committee agreed to note the Workplan.

Background papers: None.

To note that the date of the next meeting will be confirmed at Annual Council on 22nd May 2015.

The Committee agreed to note that the date of the next meeting would be confirmed at Annual Council on 22^nd May 2015.