Agenda and minutes

Harry Tuttle has sadly passed away. Harry was an active member of this forum and in other groups around the town and in the community. Harry will be sadly missed - the forum held a minute silence in his memory.

DH pointed out that he did not state in the last meeting that there were ‘possibly two redundancies following the transfer of staff to NPH’ – this was agreed as an error in the minutes. ACTION: AM to amend.

The minutes were agreed as a true record, subject to the above amendment.

Matters arising:

JFS asked who is responsible for the land on Leicester Street if it is not part of the Enterprise Contact. ACTION: AM to look into for the next meeting.

Nominees

-       Roger Rumsey

-       John Rawlings

John Rawlings withdrew his nomination. Roger Rumsey was elected again as Community Co-Chair.

Cllr Brown gave an introduction about the Health and Wellbeing Board. This is an executive board, which looks at the commissioning of services, and provides an opportunity for partners to work together. There has been a significant change, in that the board expanded to include the 3 main health providers, Northamptonshire Heath Foundation Trust (NHFT), Northampton General Hospital (NGH), Kettering General Hospital (KGH), and the Voluntary Community Sector (VCS) through Voluntary Impact Northamptonshire (VIN).The board is also made up of two representatives from districts and boroughs and Corby, Nene and Cambridgeshire Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs). The board meets on a quarterly basis, and creates a joint strategic needs assessment, which is used by the commissioners on determining their priorities and commissioning services. The board also are working on Healthier Northamptonshire – which looks at care pathways and the way they are delivered. Cllr Brown advised that care of the elderly has seen more money this year than last year.

The purpose of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy is to ensure the integration of Social Care with Health, and covers 2013-16. The strategy is available. There will be a new health and wellbeing strategy will be in place for 2016, led by the vice-chancellor of the University of Northampton. This will focus on:

1. Increasing rates of breastfeeding
2. Reduction in Childhood obesity
3. Alcohol and drugs
4. Care of the elderly in the community
5. Care of vulnerable adults.
6.  

Questions:

TM - Are the districts and boroughs, and Northampton Partnership Homes partners? Cllr Brown advised that they are.

DH – Asked about the future of services, and the availability of money. DH also commented on the wider effect of the NCC budget cuts, and wider cuts in the County, and how these could affect the struggles of elderly people and people in care etc.  Cllr Brown assured that colleagues at NCC have not set out to dismantle services or make matters worse; all local authorities are required legally to have a balanced budget, whereas the health service is not legally charged with this.

Cllr Oldham – Commented on people being discharged in order for others to access beds, where individuals may be medically fit but not ready for discharge. Cllr Oldham also commented that at times care packages are not set up properly, and there is a vacuum after hospital release, even if only a few hours, if there is no one there to meet them at home. Cllr Brown advised that hospitals are paid based on activity, but are penalised if a person returns within a certain number of days after their discharge, and will not be paid for their care. On the issue of social care, Cllr Brown commented that is has constraints, and that a way forward would be for services to be doing more with the VCS who deliver services in the locality, to ensure people are cared for effectively. 

Cllr Brown discussed that a difficulty arises with how money is put into the voluntary sector. In past, money has been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

http://www.northamptonboroughcouncil.com/councillors/documents/s46543/Final%20report%20dated-12%20March%202015.pdf

Cllr Sargeant presented the Poverty in the Town report to the forum. DH, who attends the Pensioners Forum, attended the Scrutiny Panel to give a contribution. Cllr Sargeant read out the definition used by the panel for the purposes of the report. Three of the wards that were identified as most in poverty were Castle Ward, Spencer Ward, Thorplands Ward. Figures vary, but the report found that around 1 in 4 or 1 in 5 children were in poverty. A copy of the report, and the recommendations of the group, will be circulated with the minutes.

Intergenerational Project – Youth Forum members have now completed their Oral History Training. We will have an identified date and will be asking people to sign up to the project at the next meeting.

Care and Repair – Hardship fund has been topped up. This funding is available to anyone living in poverty who need work doing on their homes.For more information: call 01604 782250, or visit http://www.care-and-repair.org.uk/

Abington Street – JR commented that the signage on Abington Street is not clear, especially regarding which parking bays are specifically for disabled people, and which are for general use.

DH raised that Abington Street needs a crossing for safety of pedestrians. Cllr Oldham advised that he has raised this.

Cyclists on the footpath – a forum member asked what level of expenditure is put into policing this.

MH asked whether the Disabled Parking bays on Guildhall Road are enforceable if used for general use. MH was advised that this is a County Council issue, and can be raised with Highways

Date of the next meeting – Thursday 16^th July, 2-4pm, The Jeffrey Room