Agenda item

QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC

A maximum of 15 minutes will be allocated to public questions submitted in writing to Democratic Services (democratic.services@trafford.gov.uk) by 4pm on the working day prior to the meeting. Questions must be within the remit of the Committee or be relevant to items appearing on the agenda and will be submitted in the order in which they were received

 

Minutes:

The following public question was submitted via email:

 

“I have a question for the Scrutiny Committee .  . . .

I have seen this Committee in action under three Chair leaders over time.  I am regularly present at all CCG Board meetings over a long time with questions and some success in pressing for change/ improvements.  I have wider involvement and interests in Health and Social Care,  in what is currently a very confusing plethora of activity out there whichever way you look. 

On Scrutiny and the reasons why this Committee exists, it does not  get to "good or outstanding" in my considered view and from a lot of experience of the "critical friend" role in action on issues.  With the subject tonight, it seems to be in the catch up zone,  discussing a major problem in which it has no real authority  to decide and pronounce.  I am well familiar with the background.  Do you agree that under the new "annual scrutiny leadership cycle", it has to sharpen its teeth and forget the "friend" in the critical phrase, with this agenda problem?”

 

The Chairman acknowledged the question and explained that a detailed response would be sent to the questioner in due course.

 

The Chairman added that the Health Scrutiny Committee derived its powers from The Health and Social Care Act 2001 and the National Health Service Act 2006 and its main functions were to hold to account the decision makers in relation to health and well-being issues in Trafford and to strengthen the voice of local people, ensuring that their needs and experiences were considered as an integral part of the commissioning and delivery of health services and that those services were effective and safe.

 

A Health Scrutiny protocol was in place to outline working arrangements between the Health Scrutiny Committee, key NHS partners, HealthWatch Trafford and the Older Person’s Champion on how best deliver the duties placed on them by legislation. However, the Committee was constrained in its actions by the legislation.

 

The Chairman informed the Committee that Mrs. Judie Collins, Chair of the Altrincham and Bowdon Civic Society wished to make a statement concerning this evening’s agenda item. Three minutes were allocated to Mrs. Collins to present her information.

 

Mrs. Collins addressed the Committee and explained that, at the beginning of the process concerning the development of the Altrincham Hub, there had been no adequate public consultation over the hospital’s future. This had been confirmed by a decision of the High Court, following judicial review. Subsequently, the developers had started engaging with residents and the Altrincham and Bowdon Civic Society had been able to express its concern with regard to maintaining the heritage of the building. Currently, regular meetings with CCG’s project managers were taking place. Mrs. Collins added that the Altrincham and Bowdon Civic Society would like to see the NHS Property Services taking part with the CCG in the lesson learned exercise regarding this matter. 

 

The Committee sought and received clarification from Mrs. Collins with regard to the involvement of the Altrincham and Bowdon Civic Society with the shortlisting of developers, the impact on the community of the building not being fully utilised and the feedback from patients’ groups on its destination to library services and GP Practices.

 

The Chairman thanked Mrs. Collins for her contribution to the meeting of the Committee.