Agenda and minutes

The Chairman to lead introductions by Board members and receive apologies.

The Chairman welcomed Board members to the meeting and lead introductions. The Board noted Councillor Jo Farrell, the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health had joined the Board. The Board also noted the new representatives of Blackpool Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust- Stephen Fogg and Kevin McGee.

The Board received apologies from Dr Amanda Doyle, Neil Hartley-Smith and Dr Leanne Rudnick, Blackpool Clinical Commissioning Group and from  Kevin McGee of Blackpool Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust noting that on this occasion Nicki Latham, Deputy Chief Executive Officer would deputise.

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

(1) the type of interest concerned either a

(a)   personal interest

(b)   prejudicial interest

(c)    disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI)

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.

There were no declarations of interest on this occasion.

To agree the minutes of the last meeting held on 29 January 2020 as a true and correct record.

The Health and Wellbeing Board considered the minutes of the meeting held on 29 January 2020.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Board meeting held on 29 January 2020 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To provide the Board with an update on the financial monitoring of the Blackpool Better Care Fund.

The Board received an update on the Better Care Fund financial monitoring from Mark Golden, Senior Accountant, Blackpool Council. Mr Golden outlined that although financial monitoring had taken place through the Council and the Clinical Commissioning Group’s respective financial reporting structures, the delayed publication of statutory guidance meant that the year end arrangements could only just now be started. The fund had continued to be managed well through 2020/2021 with a small underspend. It was therefore proposed to bring a report to the first Health and Wellbeing Board of the new financial year. Depending on the timescales, information would also be circulated to the Chairman and Board members in advance of that report to give reassurance as to the implementation of plans and pooled agreements for funding.

Resolved:

To note the report and verbal update.

To seek approval for the updated Blackpool Drug Harm Reduction Strategy and its associated Action Plan. The overall aim of the strategy’s approach is to reduce the prevalence of and risks associated with socially harmful drug abuse in Blackpool and build resilience by creating a supportive environment for affected individuals, families and communities to rebuild their lives.

The Health and Wellbeing Board considered the Drug Harm Reduction Strategy 2020-22 and its associated implementation plan.

Judith Mills, Consultant in Public Health, introduced the strategy and implementation plan to the Board. She started by providing context around the scale of the issue with the harms caused by drug misuse being far-reaching and affecting too many people at all levels. The overall objective of the strategy would be to make sure people received a more integrated response to prevention and treatment particularly in cases where drugs impacted negatively on a family’s ability to help their children grow up safely. Drug misuse and dependency presented a particular challenge within the most deprived communities and the links to Adverse Childhood Experiences was emphasised.

Ms Mills explained that the COVID pandemic had caused a delay in seeking formal sign off of the strategy by the Board but that the key actions were already being addressed.

Dr Rajpura emphasised to Board members the impact that drug misuse had on life expectancy as those with such chaotic lifestyles could also neglect other elements of their physical and mental health.

In response to questions Ms Mills stated that the role of the voluntary sector remained key in delivering a number of the actions particularly in the access to housing and meaningful employment. Ms Mills also explained that there would further updates to the Board. She further explained that some key actions had benefitted from steps taken during the lockdown for Covid particularly in addressing homelessness and engagement.

Resolved:

1.      To approve the revised Blackpool Drug Harm Reduction Strategy, as attached at Appendix 5a to the agenda, for the period until 31 December 2022.

2.      To approve the associated Drug Harm Reduction Action Plan, as attached at Appendix 5b to the agenda, for the period until 31 December 2022.

To discuss future items for consideration by the Board.

The Board considered future items for consideration.

It agreed that the following items should be discussed as a matter of priority.

An update on restoration of services post-COVID pandemic.

An update on the work of the Children and Young People Strategic Partnership

An update on the Local Healthwatch

To note the provisional dates of future meetings, subject to approval at Annual Council.

Wednesday 16 June 2021

Wednesday 6 October 2021

Wednesday 1 December 2021

Resolved:

To note the provisional dates of future meetings, subject to approval at Annual Council.

Wednesday 16 June 2021

Wednesday 6 October 2021

Wednesday 1 December 2021