To consider any items which the Chair has agreed to have submitted as urgent.

To consider any appeals from the public against refusal to allow inspection of background documents and/or the inclusion of items in the confidential part of the agenda.

To allow Members an opportunity to [a] declare any personal, prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests they might have in any items which appear on this agenda; and [b] record any items from which they are precluded from voting as a result of Council Tax/Council rent arrears; [c] the existence and nature of party whipping arrangements in respect of any item to be considered at this meeting. Members with a personal interest should declare that at the start of the item under consideration.  If Members also have a prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interest they must withdraw from the meeting during the consideration of the item.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 7 September 2022.

Decision

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 7 September 2022 as a correct record.

Report of the Director of Public Health

This report provides the Committee with an update on the work of the Making Manchester Fairer Task Group.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Public Health that provided an update on the work of the Making Manchester Fairer Task Group.

Key points and themes in the report included:

·         Making Manchester Fairer 2022-27 described the actions that the city would take to reduce inequalities, with a focus on the social determinants of health;

·         The Making Manchester Fairer Action Plan would be launched for staff within the wider population health system at The Making Manchester Fairer Conference on Monday 31 October 2022;

·         The final version would be accompanied by a communications campaign;

·         Providing a summary of themes, plans and key actions;

·         Information on the Kickstarters, four schemes that could be implemented quickly to give the plan momentum;

·         Information on the Making Manchester Fairer Task Group and Network, noting that they would have oversight of the collective development and delivery of the plan;

·         The agreed mechanism to undertake the evaluation and monitoring of the plan;

·         The approach to workforce engagement;

·         The approach to resident and community involvement; and

·         Providing a selection of case studies.

Some of the key points that arose from the Committee’s discussions were: -

·         Welcoming the report and recognising the important work that was being delivered on behalf of the residents of the city to address health inequalities;

·         Condemning the Government for failing to address health inequalities;

·         Calling for a coalition of voices, hosted in Manchester to challenge the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on this issue;

·         Noting that in New Zealand, the Prime Minister had challenged all policy makers to address health and wellbeing in all their decision making;

·         Welcoming the inclusion of businesses in the work to address health inequalities and recognising the relationship between good employment and health outcomes; and

·         Noting the good work provided by the Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise sector, however noting that they would need to be supported to change and adapt to the cost-of-living crisis.

The Committee heard from Professor Sir Michael Marmot, Institute of Health Equity. He reiterated the stark health outcomes and inequalities experienced by Manchester residents and how Covid had exacerbated and further highlighted these. He stated that health inequalities had been subject to three significant factors, namely austerity, the pandemic and now the cost-of-living crisis. He stated that currently there was no indication from government that they were seeking to address health inequalities and were following ideological economic policies rather than the overwhelming evidence, adding that this was ultimately dangerous for the health of the population.

Professor Sir Michael Marmot commented on the progress and approach adopted in Manchester adding that this experience was used as an exemplar model, and that other regions, particularly in the North East were keen to develop similar plans to address health inequalities. He said that as more regions adopted this evidence-based model it would provide leverage to persuade the government to engage seriously on this issue. He stated that he would support the call for a coalition of voices that brought together all partners  ...  view the full minutes text for item 98.

A senior representative from Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust will attend to update the Committee on the Trust's response to the recent Panorama programme.  The Executive Director of Adult Social Services will provide additional information on the ongoing involvement of the Council's Social Work Safeguarding Team, working with other partners to support Manchester residents. Finally the Interim Deputy Place Based Lead (Manchester Locality) will provide an overview on how the local Manchester health and care system will interface with the Greater Manchester and regional systems and processes.

The Chair introduced this item of business by stating that following the recent Panorama programme, where an undercover reporter had filmed inside the hospital showing disturbing and upsetting scenes, a senior representative from the Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust had been invited to the meeting to address the Committee.

In addition, the Committee would hear from the Council’s Executive Director of Adult Social Services and Interim Deputy Place Based Lead, Manchester Locality.

The Chair further explained that the role of Health Scrutiny Committee was to consider how the Council and its partners in the NHS delivered health and social care services to improve the health and wellbeing of Manchester residents. The Committee could make recommendations about how they could improve these services.

The Chair advised that for anyone concerned about the care they were receiving or someone they cared for or has been affected by the issues raised in the BBC Panorama programme, they should not hesitate to contact the dedicated free helpline on 0808 175 3323. This was a confidential service staffed by trained and skilled practitioners who would be able to offer advice and support.

For completeness the statements are provided if full below:

Statement from the Deputy Chief Executive, Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust

Thank you for inviting me to speak to the Committee.

As you will no doubt be aware, the issues I’m about to speak to are extremely sensitive and are also subject to a number of ongoing investigations, including by Greater Manchester Police. As these proceedings are being live streamed and public, I therefore have to be cautious in what I can say to you today. I’m sure you will have questions and I will come on to how you can raise these formally, through our Programme Management Office, as I conclude.

By way of context

The Edenfield Centre is a secure hospital unit which provides inpatient treatment on our Prestwich site. Edenfield is approximately 1 mile away from the Trust HQ, situated near Phillips Park and Waterdale Meadow. The Centre has 12 wards within the secure perimeter, with around 160 inpatient beds and 600 staff.

On the afternoon of 8 September 2022, the BBC first informed us in writing that Panorama had conducted secret filming at Edenfield earlier this year (between March and June). They provided detailed information which listed a number of allegations about behaviours witnessed during their undercover filming – not of all which, we were told, would be broadcast. We formally requested to view the footage, but the BBC refused access to the programme in advance of broadcast.

However, we immediately notified Greater Manchester Police and Bury Safeguarding (who had also received a letter) and used the written allegations to take immediate action to protect patients.

At that point, it was clear that the BBC were alleging poor provision of services at the Edenfield Centre, including inappropriate or neglectful behaviour and a toxic staff culture. The information provided in advance by the BBC related to approximately 40 patients and approximately  ...  view the full minutes text for item 99.

Report of the Director of Public Health

This report provides an overview of the impact that heatwaves will have on the city and details the activity underway to adapt to a changing climate and reduce the health impacts of future heatwaves in the city.

The Chair recommended that this item of business be deferred to the December meeting of the Committee. This recommendation was supported by the Committee.

Decision

To defer consideration of this item of business to the December meeting of the Committee.

Report of the Executive Director of Adult Social Services, the Strategic Director Growth & Development, the Strategic Lead for Commissioning, Children and Education and the Strategic Lead for Homelessness

This report provides an update on the development of an Enabling Independence Accommodation Strategy for Manchester (2022-2032).

The Committee considered the joint report of the Executive Director of Adult Social Services, the Strategic Director Growth & Development, the Strategic Lead for Commissioning, Children and Education and the Strategic Lead for Homelessness.

The report provided an update on the development of an Enabling Independence Accommodation Strategy for Manchester (2022-2032). Describing that its key aim was to improve housing with care and support options to meet people's needs and better enable their independence.

Key points and themes in the report included:

·         Providing an introduction and background;

·         Describing that this was a partnership strategy, developed between Adults, Children’s, Homelessness, Strategic Housing and Manchester Housing Providers’ Partnership (MHPP) provider;

·         The strategy was the product of an extensive consultation, with both internal and external key stakeholders;

·         Describing the four key objectives of the strategy; and

·         Next steps.

Some of the key points that arose from the Committee’s discussions were: -

·         Planning policy needed to include a requirement for developers to ensure all new build homes were adaptable in the future;

·         Recognising the need and challenge to engage with the Private Rented Sector on this issue;

·         Noting the importance for people to remain in their homes so they could remain connected to their community and support networks; and

·         The need to consider the support offered to older residents who were owner occupiers and had limited resources.

The Deputy Director Adult Social Services informed the Committee that people were at the heart of Strategy, adding that it was recognised that housing was a significant contribution to a person’s health and wellbeing. She further made reference to the report ‘Extra Care Growth and Developments in Manchester’ that had been considered at the Committee’s June meeting, that had described the activities to support residents to right size and remain in or close to their community. She further commented that the Better Outcomes Better Lives programme would also support people to remain in their homes where appropriate.

In regard to the issue of new developments the Head of Housing Services stated that developers were challenged on the issue of future adaptability, however it was often an issue of affordability for developers. He stated as the Council developed and sought to approve the Local Plan this would be an opportunity to consider if this should be included as a planning condition. He further noted the comments from the Committee in regard to the challenge presented by the Private Rented Sector on this issue.  In response to a comment raised regarding the Housing Allocations Policy he stated that this had been amended in November 2020 and a report on the outcome of the policy changes would be considered by the Economy Scrutiny Committee in the new year. It was noted that if the Council decided that it wanted to review the policy again this could take approximately 2 years based on the previous review.

Guy Cresswell, Executive Director, Great Places Housing Group spoke on behalf of Manchester Housing Providers’ Partnership. He stated that the strategy was fully endorsed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 101.

Report of the Governance and Scrutiny Support Unit

This monthly report includes the recommendations monitor, relevant key decisions, the Committee’s work programme and items for information. The report also contains additional information including details of those organisations that have been inspected by the Care Quality Commission.

The report of the Governance and Scrutiny Support Unit which contained key decisions within the Committee’s remit and responses to previous recommendations was submitted for comment. Members were also invited to agree the Committee’s future work programme.

Appended to the report for information was the Manchester Autumn and Winter Vaccination Plan 2022-3.

Decision

The Committee notes the report and agrees the work programme.