Venue: Virtual Meeting
Contact: Chris Lunn
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Declarations of Interest To receive
any declarations of interest. Minutes: There were
no declarations of interest received at this point in the meeting. |
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Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of
the Overview and Scrutiny Board held on 27 January 2021 were submitted and
approved as a correct record. |
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Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of
the Overview and Scrutiny Board held on 29 January 2021 were submitted and
approved as a correct record. |
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Minutes - Overview and Scrutiny Board - 11 February 2021 PDF 182 KB Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Board held on 11
February 2021 were submitted and approved as a correct record. |
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Executive Forward Work Programme PDF 262 KB Additional documents: Minutes: The Chief Executive submitted a
report which identified the forthcoming issues to be considered by the
Executive, as outlined in Appendix A to the report. The report provided
the Overview and Scrutiny Board with the opportunity to consider whether any item
contained within the Executive Forward Work Programme should be considered by
the Board, or referred to a Scrutiny Panel. NOTED |
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Executive Member Update: The Mayor PDF 151 KB The Mayor will be in attendance to update the Board on his aims and aspirations, progress made to date and to highlight any emerging issues relating to his portfolio. Minutes: The
Mayor, Andy Preston, was in attendance at the meeting to update the Board on
his aims and aspirations, progress made to date and to highlight any emerging
issues relating to his portfolio. As
part of his update to the Board, the Mayor focused upon the Marketing and
Communications aspect of his portfolio; the following points were made: ·
Marketing and
Communications had progressed significantly well over the last twelve months,
with reference being made to the work undertaken in respect of COVID-19; the
work of the staff and team involved in this activity was highly commended. The role of the marketing department would
shift in light of the changes that COVID-19 had introduced, and the associated
messages that needed to be conveyed. ·
The challenge
that all Council teams had faced revolved around cultural change. In terms of Marketing and Communications,
changes within local media readership and the increased use of social media
over the last number of years required cultural change. It was felt that improvement within Local
Government nationally was needed in order to maintain pace, however, the
Council had made significant progress with this over the last twelve months.
Through social media, the Council had had the opportunity to engage with a
wider audience, to share goals and obtain feedback, which was taken on board. ·
Through the
introduction of remote meeting meetings in response to the pandemic, Council
meetings were broadcast on YouTube and Facebook Live, which was felt aided
transparency and encouraged participation from the public. Following
the update, Members were afforded the opportunity to ask questions. A
Member praised the work of the staff, and sought clarification regarding the
points raised around jobs. In response,
the Mayor clarified that he was referring to the use of social media to
broadcast life-changing opportunities in respect of careers, new jobs and
training. It was indicated that many
businesses within the town had raised issues around skills shortages and
filling vacancies, which was felt to be a large problem for the town. The Mayor wanted to see increased promotion
of businesses and opportunities.
Reference was made to impending job opportunities to be created in the
Grangetown area, which was excellent. It
was highlighted, however, that whilst there was positivity, challenge also
needed to be borne in mind; the Council’s role in this would be to provide
links between opportunities and potential employees. In
response to a query regarding 12-week wait times for the free collection of
bulky waste, the Mayor advised that a 12-week wait was not the case. It was explained that, like other Councils,
if residents had a bulky item to be collected quickly, this would be undertaken
for payment. However, if payment could
not be made, it would be collected free of charge, but there would be a longer
wait time. A member referred to the Marketing and Communications team and reiterated the praise given to the staff. It was commented that Councillors should advise the team of any news stories to enable them to be ... view the full minutes text for item 20/94 |
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Middlesbrough Council's Response to COVID-19 The Chief Executive and Director of Public Health will be in attendance to provide the Board with an update in respect of the Council’s response to COVID-19. Minutes: The Chief Executive delivered a
presentation to update the Board in respect of the Council’s response to
COVID-19. The following information was
provided:
1.
What
was the number of positive cases of COVID-19 amongst teachers and teaching
assistants across Middlesbrough? The
figure from September 2020 up to 11 February 2021 was 310. Currently, 51 pupils and 15 staff across all
schools were isolating as a result of positive COVID-19 tests. 2.
Were
those drivers, contracted by the Council to transport (vulnerable) children and
adults, receiving vaccines? Whilst conversations had taken place with taxi
drivers in regards to vaccinations, most were in relation to regular school
transport, as opposed to vulnerable children and adults. As taxi drivers were not listed within
priority vaccination groups 1-4, and provision had been made previously (e.g.
PPE, screens and face coverings), it was deemed that sufficient mitigation was
already in place. With the anticipated
arrival of the mass vaccination centre in Middlesbrough on 22 March 2021, the
Council would be looking to push people in particular occupations to attend for
vaccination.
-
Communications
– aligning with national phased exit strategy; -
Outbreak
control (statutory responsibility to update plan) – maintaining
testing/vaccinations and refreshing the Outbreak Control Plan; -
Schools
– assistance with testing, summer catch-up activity support, holiday hunger
approach, etc.; -
Business
– support in town centre reopening arrangements, Tees Valley vs. Middlesbrough
approach to exit arrangements; -
Communities
– support for residents and associated services; and -
Council
– reoccupation and re-induction of staff. In light of
the above, it was explained that consideration was also being given as to how
those plans would link with the existing Recovery Strategy. Following the update,
Members were afforded the opportunity to ask questions. A Member referred to statistics in respect of ... view the full minutes text for item 20/95 |
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Final Report - Health Scrutiny Panel - Opioid Dependency: What Happens Next? PDF 2 MB Additional documents:
Minutes: Prior to consideration of the report, the Chair of the Overview and
Scrutiny Board sought Members’ approval in respect of some submitted amendments
that had been circulated; this was agreed. The Chair of the Health Scrutiny Panel presented the Panel’s Final
Report in relation to Opioid Dependency: What Happens Next? The recommendations to be submitted to the Executive were: a) That the public health approach to drug
dependence be continued and the benefits of introducing safe spaces in
Middlesbrough for people to consume substances (drug consumption rooms) be
further explored. Drug consumption rooms
have been successfully used elsewhere in the world (including in Europe and in
Canada) for approximately 16 years and no one has ever died of a drug overdose
in any of these facilities.
Middlesbrough could in the future be a pilot for the adoption of such an
approach in the UK. b) That the local authority writes to the
government to request that it reconsiders national policy in respect of Drug
Consumption Rooms (DCRs). Given that
DCRs are a provable harm reduction tool that reduces the risk of overdose,
improves people health and lessens the damage and costs to society. c) That a new capital funding bid for a 16-18
bedded detox and drug rehabilitation facility at Letitia House be
submitted. Public health benefits and
financial savings could be achieved when compared to the current costs of
funding individual 7-10 day detox programmes out of area. d) That funding for the Heroin Assisted
Treatment (HAT) programme be prioritised by partners in South Tees and the
current level of investment continued for the foreseeable future. e) That the local authority write to the relevant
Minister highlighting the success of the Heroin Assisted Treatment Programme
(HAT) in Middlesbrough and how it is a demonstrably effective way of treating
drug addiction. f) That the high quality drug treatment
facilities available in Middlesbrough are recognised and that the town develops
as a Recovery Orientated System of Care (ROSC) further. g) That in an effort to reduce the stigma
associated with drug dependency a proactive approach is undertaken to promote
the town’s vibrant recovery community.
Middlesbrough is a town where recovery from drug dependency is possible,
recognised and celebrated. The town has
outstanding substance misuse treatment services and innovative harm reduction
initiatives in place. Work needs to be
undertaken to ensure Middlesbrough is recognised locally and nationally as a
Recovery Town/City. h) That in respect of the areas for improvement
put forward by Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust it is ensured
that a number of measures are implemented including:- -
That
quick and reliable access to specialist Substance Misuse support is made
available to the Community Crisis Team, Crisis Assessment Suite and Inpatient
wards. -
That
Substance Misuse workers, Social Workers and other colleagues are included in
the single point of access in Mental Health for joint triage/joint initial
assessment. -
That
Substance Misuse workers attend joint meetings, as arranged by TEWV, including
formulation and pre-discharge. - That Substance ... view the full minutes text for item 20/96 |
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Minutes: The Vice Chair of the Economic Development, Environment and
Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel presented the Panel’s Final Report in relation to
Pest Control Services. The recommendations to be submitted to the Executive were: a) Consideration be given to Middlesbrough
Council offering a low cost Pest Control Service to residential properties and
whether this would provide an additional income stream to the service area. b) Investigate whether an amount could be
included within the Council Tax charge to provide a pest control service to
private residents without any additional fee. c) Promote educational messages about good
house-keeping to prevent vermin infestations through the LoveMiddlesbrough magazine. A Member queried whether it would be possible
to marginally increase the cost of charging landlords through the Selective
Landlord Licensing scheme, in order to provide a complimentary service to those
areas with a high volume of landlords.
In response, the Vice Chair explained that this could potentially be an
uptake to one of the recommendations. It
was explained that the Panel had observed that residential properties within
Middlesbrough were being missed out at present.
Reference was made to a recent local press article that focused on fees
charged by contractors, and to current processes being undertaken by Thirteen
Group, which included cost sharing via rental costs. AGREED that the findings and recommendations of the Economic Development, Environment and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel be endorsed and referred to the Executive. |
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Overview and Scrutiny Board Call-in Outcome: Nunthorpe Grange Farm Disposal PDF 135 KB Minutes: The Chair provided an overview
of the outcome of the Nunthorpe Grange Farm Disposal Call-in. NOTED |
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Scrutiny Chairs Update Ad Hoc Scrutiny Panel - Councillor J. Thompson Adult Social Care and Services Scrutiny Panel - Councillor J. Platt Children and Young People’s Learning Scrutiny Panel - Councillor S. Hill Children and Young People’s Social Care and Services Scrutiny Panel – Councillor L. Garvey Culture and Communities Scrutiny Panel - Councillor C. McIntyre (update to be provided by Democratic Services Officer) Economic Development, Environment and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel – Councillor M. Saunders (update to be provided by Councillor B. Hubbard) Health Scrutiny Panel - Councillor J. McTigue Minutes: The Scrutiny Chairs/Vice Chairs provided updates in respect of the work
undertaken by their respective panels since the last meeting of the Board. NOTED |
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Any other urgent items which, in the opinion of the Chair, may be considered. Minutes: Minutes of the Previous Meeting A Member made reference to page
eight of the minutes of the previous meeting (11 February 2021) and clarified
comments made under agenda item ‘Scrutiny Chairs Update’. Following brief discussion, the Chair advised
that clarification had been obtained from the Head of Democratic Services,
which was that if Scrutiny Panel Members were happy to meet when a meeting had
been cancelled, this could be undertaken, but it would be on an informal basis
and there would no minutes produced. NOTED Date of Next Meeting– 8 April 2021 The next meeting of the Overview and
Scrutiny Board had been scheduled for Thursday, 8 April 2021. NOTED |