Roger Harris, Director of Adults, Housing and Health, presented the report and stated that following the establishment of a Joint Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee with Essex and Southend the consultation papers had now been formally issued for consultation. Members were being asked to comment and agree to the draft terms of reference and to appoint four members to represent the Thurrock Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Roger Harris stated that following guidance from the Department of Health on Joint Scrutiny Committees it was clear that local authorities are required to appoint joint committees where a relevant NHS body or health service provider consults with more than one local authority’s health scrutiny function. Members were being advised to reserve its right over any potential referrals to the Secretary of State.

Councillor Snell stated that the majority of Members were initially against this Joint Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee but understood the legal position and regulations for this to proceed. Councillor Snell stated that recommendation 2 should be amended to demand that meetings must be held in the evening to give all Thurrock full time working Members the opportunity to attend. That a formal request be made to the Chair of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee requesting that future timings are held no earlier than 7.00pm to ensure that Thurrock Members are given the opportunity to attend.

Councillor C Holloway requested some clarification on the terms of reference item 2.5. Roger Harris confirmed that individual local authorities, local Clinical Commissioning Group and local HealthWatch would continue to participate in the wider STP in their own right. Councillor Holloway requested clarification on item 6.2 of the terms of reference with regards to powers of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Roger Harris confirmed that all powers will fall to the Joint Committee apart from the power of referral to the Secretary of State.

Andy Vowles confirmed that discussions will take place at the informal committee on the 22 January 2018 with regards to the Joint Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee functions and that comments received from the three Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committees would be analysed and shared and that any reflections, observations or recommendations made would be put forward.

Councillors Snell, Collins, V Holloway and Redsell agreed that their views previously minuted with regards to Thurrock joining the Joint Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee had not changed.

Councillor V Holloway asked how the three local authorities weighted with regards to the practicalities of comments. Roger Harris stated that a formal written response would be provided by the Joint Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee delegation apart from the referral to the Secretary of State which would come from the Thurrock Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor V Holloway asked whether the STP report would be presented again at Thurrock Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny committees. Roger Harris stated that this would be a twin track process where Thurrock Members could express further views on the consultation but a formal response would need to be made through the Joint Committee.

Councillor V Holloway agreed with Councillor Snell that a formal letter should be sent to the Chair of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee requesting that future timings be changed.

Councillor Snell reiterated that Members could not attend day time meetings as many Members worked full time. Councillor Snell stated that the proposed formal committee had been scheduled for the 28 February 2018 at 5.00pm in Southend which clashed with the Thurrock’s Budget Full Council. Therefore no Thurrock Members would be able to attend and that put a question over the quorum of that meeting.

Councillor Snell asked Democratic Services to work with Southend and Essex to have the formal committee rescheduled and whether video conferencing or conference calling could be used.

The following Members nominated themselves to sit on the Joint Committee:

•           Councillor Graham Snell (Chair of HOSC), UKIP

•           Councillor Victoria Holloway (Vice-Chair of HOSC), Labour

•           Councillor Gary Collins (Member of HOSC), Conservative.

The fourth member, due to political balance in Thurrock would need to be filled by an administration (Conservative) Member – this will be taken back to group for a further nomination.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee comment on the proposed terms of reference for the Joint Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee with Essex and Southend.

2.         That the Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee agreed to appoint four Members to represent Thurrock Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee at the Joint Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings but can only attend meetings that commence from 7.00pm due to work commitments.

3.         That the Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee not delegate its power of referral to the Secretary of State to the joint Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee.