Agenda and draft minutes

It was  reported that procedural  matters and the external auditors appointment would be discussed in detail at the next Board meeting.

The Board agreed: To approve the Annual Report 2014/ 2015.

The Board is asked to consider and agreed the Annual Accounts for the period 30 June 2014 to 31 March 2015.

The Board agreed: To approve the Annual Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2015, as submitted.

The Chairman, Ms Rose has indicated her intention to stand down from the Board.

The Board would like to place on record its appreciation for Ms Rose’s commitment and service to the Company since its formation.

Mr Towers on behalf of Healthwatch Blackpool thanked Mrs Rose for her dedication and commitment over the years particularly during the transitional period when she had provided a consistent presence.  He also acknowledged Ms Claire Powell’s (former Service Manager) for her commitment to the Board and her leadership in the transitional period.

Mrs Rose offered to continue to support the Board and its new Members.

The Recruitment Panel recommends that Mrs Mary Whyham is appointed as Chairman and the Board is asked to approve the recommendation.

For information, the Board will in the future comprise of:

Mrs Mary Whyham

Mr Eddie Jackson

Mr Greg Molyneux

Miss Katie Burrell

Mr Mike Davies

Mr Towers reported that that under the transition to the new Healthwatch Board, the agreement between the Council’s commissioning team and Empowerment was that there would be a recruitment panel to appoint Board members, it was also tasked with recommending the appointment of the Chairman.   It was proposed that Mrs Mary Whyham be appointed as the new Chairman of the Healthwatch Board.

It was reported that the Health and Wellbeing Board on which the Healthwatch Board had two representatives, was due to meet prior to the next Board meeting.  It was noted that the Chairman would take one of the representative positions and it was suggested that the other position be on rotation giving each Board member an opportunity to attend.  However, Mr Towers advised that it was a formal decision making body and therefore required a permanent appointment.  It was agreed that the appointment of the second representative would be deferred until the next Board meeting.

The Board agreed: 

1.      To appoint Mrs Mary Whyham as the Chairman of the Healthwatch Board.

2.      To consider making an appointment to the second position on the Health and Wellbeing Board at the next meeting, together with any other representative positions.

In response to a question, it was acknowledged that due to the transitional period, different people had been involved in the preparation of the Annual report and the information was historic.  It was reported that Mr Garner was in the process of capturing information for the period April 2015 to present for the next Annual report.