Agenda and draft minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission held on 9 January 2025.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Commission held on 9 January 2025 be approved as a correct record, and signed by the Chair.

Responses to all of the queries and requests for information raised in the meeting had been received or formed part of the agenda.

Members are asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary or affected interests and the nature of that interest, including the existence and nature of the party whip, in respect of any matter to be considered at this meeting.

Any Member with a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in a matter should withdraw from the meeting when the matter is under consideration and should notify the Democratic Services Officer in attendance that they are withdrawing as they have such an interest. If the Disclosable Pecuniary Interest is not entered on the register of Members interests the Monitoring Officer must be notified of the interest within 28 days.

Any Member with an Affected Interest in a matter must disclose the interest to the meeting.  There is no requirement to withdraw from the meeting when the interest is only an affected interest, but the Monitoring Officer should be notified of the interest, if not previously notified of it, within 28 days of the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest or indications that members would be participating while under the party whip.

There were no items of urgent business.

No submissions had been made by members of the public under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme for Overview and Scrutiny.

To provide an update from NHS Frimley Integrated Care Board (ICB) on Dentistry, General Practice and Child and Adolescent Mental Health services in the Bracknell Forest Place.

Presentations will be provided by the following representatives from NHS Frimley ICB and Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust:

Tracey Faraday-Drake, Director for Children, Mental Health, and Learning Disabilities, NHS Frimley IDB

Alison Woodiwiss, Head of Transformation, Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, NHS Frimley ICB

Karen Cridland, Director for Children, Family and All Age Services, Berkshire Health Foundation Trust

David Mphanza, Head of Primary Care, East Berkshire, NHS Frimley ICB

Dr Annabel Buxton, Clinical Lead (Bracknell Forest) NHS Frimley ICB

Tim Langran, Head of Medicines Optimisation and Acting Director of Pharmacy, Optometry & Dentistry

The Commission welcomed representatives from NHS Frimley Integrated Care Board (ICB) who provided updates on strategic health issues across the borough, including dentistry; GP surgeries; and child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS).

David Mphanza, Head of Primary Care for East Berkshire, introduced himself and Dr Annabel Buxton, a GP at the Waterfield Practice, Tracey Faraday-Drake, Director for Children and Young People, Learning Disabilities and Mental Health for NHS Frimley ICB, Alison Woodiwiss, Head of Transformation for NHS Frimley ICB, Louise Noble, Service Director for CAMHS, Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust (BHFT) and Tim Langran, Interim Director for Pharmacy, Optometry and Dentistry for NHS Frimley ICB .

Primary Care Services Update

Dr Buxton and David Mphanza presented on the national picture and landscape of general practice services and access, as well as the changes that had occurred over the last few years locally. They discussed the modern general practice model, proactive care, and the transformation of access to general practice including digital front doors. The presentation highlighted the increased demand for GP services and the challenges faced in meeting this demand. They outlined the steps being taken to improve access, such as the implementation of online consultations, extended hours, and the recruitment of additional healthcare professionals. The importance of integrating primary and secondary care to provide a seamless patient experience was highlighted. Another challenge was the limitation of some GP estates, which may lead to closures in the future of those buildings.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Update

Tracey Faraday-Drake and Alison Woodiwiss then provided an update on CAMHS, the transformation of mental health services for children and young people, and the initiatives in place to improve access and support. It was noted a five-year strategy had been put in place to deliver on the local plan for children and young people with learning disabilities and mental health issues. They discussed the challenges faced currently, such as long waiting times and the increasing prevalence of mental health issues among young people. The strategies implemented to address these challenges included the introduction of early intervention programmes, the expansion of community-based services, and the use of digital tools to provide remote support. They also presented performance data showing improvements in service delivery and patient outcomes. It was stressed the system adhered to the ‘no wrong door’ approach, meaning young people could be referred by anyone, including themselves. An Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) had been piloted in other parts of the NHS Frimley ICB footprint and there was an intention to roll it out in Bracknell in the future. The crisis response piece of work had been completed and was the service was now available 24/7.

Dentistry Update

Tim Langran discussed the public concern around access to dentistry and the initiatives in place to improve access, including the additional hours scheme and the upcoming procurement of additional units of dental activity. He explained the factors contributing to the current shortage of dental services, such as funding constraints  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.

Council Plan Overview Report (CPOR) covering the third quarter of 2024/25 is attached.

Members of the Commission are asked to submit technical or detailed questions in advance of the meeting.

The Chief Executive, Susan Halliwell, presented the CPOR report, highlighting key achievements and challenges from quarter four. Among the significant accomplishments were the successful campaign for free bus rides, which aimed to reduce traffic congestion and promote sustainable transport. The adoption of the economic strategy and town centre master plan was another major milestone, setting out a vision for the future development and regeneration of the area. The discussion also covered the financial positions of various council departments, with a particular focus on the measures being taken to address budget shortfalls and ensure financial sustainability.

One of the key challenges discussed was the backlog of education and healthcare assessments, which had built up during the pandemic. The Chief Executive outlined the steps being taken to clear the backlog, including the recruitment of additional staff and the implementation of streamlined processes.

Questions and responses

Commissioners asked questions about the delays to Forest View Academy, seeking assurance that the situation was being managed effectively and that alternative arrangements were in place for affected students. The discussion also touched upon the street lighting energy savings initiative, which aimed to reduce the council's carbon footprint and lower energy costs. Commissioners were keen to understand the impact of the initiative on public safety and whether any concerns had been raised by residents. The Chief Executive provided an update on the feedback received and the measures being taken to address any issues. Another topic of interest was the uptake of free bus rides, with Commissioners seeking data on the number of users and the overall impact of the campaign. The Chief Executive shared initial findings, indicating a positive response from the public and a noticeable reduction in traffic congestion. The discussion also covered the HVO fuel trial, with Commissioners expressing interest in the environmental and ethical implications of the trial. The Chief Executive provided an overview of the trial's progress and agreed to share further information on the trial after the meeting.

The following recommendations were agreed:

1. That Cabinet requests further information on the results of the HVO fuel trial, including the ongoing ethics for long-term use of it.

2. That Cabinet requests the results of the Christmas bus trial and comparisons between periods.

3. That Cabinet seek clarification on interim arrangements for children and young people eligible to attend the new SEND school, Forest View Academy, if the Department of Education continues to delay the school, ensuring the best interests of the child are considered.

4. That Cabinet seek a costed risk assessment for deferred maintenance to avoid future financial risk.

Commissioners requested the above information also be shared with members of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission ahead of its meeting on 22 May.

Members are asked to review the Transition Review Report and consider the recommendations in the covering report.

Councillor Watts introduced the Transition – education to employment review report, which focused on the assistance provided to young people in the borough as they transition from school to employment. The discussion highlighted several positive findings, particularly the ongoing support for young people, including those who were looked after or at risk. Councillor Watts expressed satisfaction with the panel's conclusions and the four recommendations outlined in the report, which aimed to enhance career opportunities for young people in the borough after leaving school and thanked officers and panel members for their hard work.

RESOLVED that recommendations contained in section 2.1 of the report were agreed upon and the report would be presented to Cabinet on 18 March.

Overview and Scrutiny Panel Chairs to provide verbal updates on the work programme and highlight any proposed changes such as scope, scheduling or duration.

Health and Care O&S Panel

Councillor Egglestone, Chair of the Health and Care O&S Panel provided an update, including the upcoming review of Ringmead GP Surgery. The Cabinet Member for Adults and Public Health, Cllr Wright, had informed her about a number of issues currently being worked on including the appointment of the Director of Public Health, Charlotte Pavitt, that the Obesity Strategy was on hold for adults as it was not felt to be working, that there would be a review of the Health and Care Strategy and had visited a number of local voluntary organisations. An update on the Joint Health and Overview Scrutiny Committee: Frimley Hospital would be provided at the next Council meeting on 18 March but it had been confirmed an extension was ready to be opened shortly, along with additional car parking spaces.

Education, Skills and Growth O&S Plan

It was noted there were no further updates.

Environment and Communities O&S Plan

Councillor Eberle, Chair of the Environment and Communities O&S Panel, noted the progress on the scope of the social housing scrutiny review but reported it had been delayed due to officer availability. A recommendation was made to amend the work programme to allow the Environment and Communities Panel to review the Public Protection Partnership. The review would focus on assessing the partnership's effectiveness in delivering key services, such as environmental health, trading standards, and community safety.

Chair of the O&S Commission

Cllr Pickering, Chair of the O&S Commission requested all Panel Chairs to review their work programme as they were nearly halfway through the programme, and this was agreed.

RESOLVED that the Environment and Communities Panel carry out a review into the Public Protection Partnership.

RESOVLED that all Panel Chairs review their work programme with Panel members.