To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Emsley.

Members are requested to approve the minutes of the Meeting held on 22^nd June 2022 – to follow

Resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 5^th July 2022 be approved as a correct record.

Members are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary, personal or personal and prejudicial interests they may have and the nature of those interests relating to items on this agenda and/or indicate if S106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applies to them.   

There were no declarations of interest received.

To determine any items on the agenda, if any, where the public are to be excluded from the meeting.

There were no items for exclusion of press and public.

To determine whether there are any additional items of business which, by reason of special circumstances, the Chair decides should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.

There were no items of urgent business received.

To consider a presentation of Neighbourhoods and Public Health Represetatives

The Board received a joint presentation of the Public Health Specialist and the Public Health Outbreak Officer which sought to inform of the poverty position in Rochdale and how this was affected by the cost of living crisis experienced by the country after Covid-19 pandemic. The report also sought the agreement of the Board on the development of a longer term Anti-Poverty Strategy for the Borough.

Officers informed of how the increase in grocery prices and energy bills would hit disadvantaged groups such as people with disabilities and ethnic minorities. The Board received data relating to all local authorities in Greater Manchester and concerning the percentage of children living in relative or absolute poverty before housing costs, the proportion of households experiencing food insecurity, the number of households in fuel poverty and the average amount of debt of those who sought debt advice.

Officers outlined the consequences for residents who lived in fuel poverty and debt. For older people living in cold temperatures increased the risk of strokes and heart attacks. Respiratory diseases, including flu, would be more common as would be falls, injuries and hypothermia. Children growing up in cold, damp or mouldy homes with inadequate ventilation would have higher than average rates of respiratory infections and asthma, chronic ill health and disability. They would also be more likely to experience depression, anxiety and slower physical growth and cognitive development. Those who experienced debt could suffer from mental ill health and see harmful effect on personal relationships.

Officers reported on the actions being taken locally and nationally to address poverty. The Short Term Recovery Support, including targeted support for older people on energy costs. Additional key areas of activity such as Community Recovery Plan, All Age Prevention Strategy, Community Wealth Building, Welfare Advice Review and Social Prescribing Front Door.

Officers outlined the Government support planned to address the crisis and stated their concerns as households might have become dependent on support based on increased cost of living. Officers added that to address the increased in demand for support with the living crisis, it was necessary to increase the scale of response and ambition across the system.

Officers informed the Board of the Task and Finish Group which had been established to develop a partnership approach and create an Anti-Poverty Strategy for the Borough.

Board Members sought and received clarification and commented on a number of matters such as acute pressure in secondary care and vulnerable people, areas of poverty within the Borough and how these had not changed since previous years; this highlighted the need for a longer term strategy to address poverty. Board Members also discussed the need for better employment opportunities as a mean to address poverty.

The Chair of the Board stressed the importance of centralising data and intelligence to allow effective actions against poverty and inequalities.

Board Members agreed that a whole system approach would be necessary to address this crisis and supported the development of a longer term Anti-Poverty Strategy.

Resolved:

1.    That the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

Report to follow

The Board considered a report of the Head of Early Years and Early Help which sought to inform of the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme, including an overview of progress to date and plans for local implementation of this programme. The report also sought the approval of the Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board to sign up to the Family Hub and Start for Life programme.

Officers informed that the aim of the Family Hubs was to provide families with multi-agency support to care for their children from conception, throughout early years and in the start of adulthood (0-25 years). There would be a minimum service offer and a national framework for Family Hubs with services provided in person, through the Family Hub network of services or through a virtual online offer.

Officers continued stating that in Rochdale there were strong multi-agency foundations to implement the Family Hubs programme. The development of Family Hubs would align with the development of the Local Care Organisation neighbourhood service development and all age prevention services. 

Rochdale’s total indicative allocation for the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme was between £3.4m and £3.53m over three financial years. Final allocation would be provided following confirmation of the number of local authorities signed up to the programme.

Board Members agreed that supporting this programme would help to prevent crisis and save resources in other areas.

The Chair of the Board highlighted the importance of centralising data and intelligence to support all system partners with interlinked agendas such as the Poverty Action and supporting children and families.

Resolved:

1.    That the information provided regarding the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme be noted;

2.    That the Chair of the Board approve sign up to the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme.

Report to follow

The Board considered a joint report of the Public Health Development Manager and the Senior Medicines Optimisation Pharmacist, Greater Manchester Integrated Care which sought to inform of the draft Pharmaceuticals Needs Assessment (PNA) 2022-25 which would go for a 60-day stakeholder consultation before it returned to this Board for final approval in January 2023.

Officers informed that the PNA was a legal document which each Health and Wellbeing Board in England had to publish every three years. It detailed the location and accessibility of pharmacies in the area (Rochdale) and which services they provided.

The PNA was also used by commissioners and pharmacy contractors to determine whether a pharmacy could help improve the health of the local population through commissioned or provided services.  

Board Members sought and received clarification on opening hours of pharmacies and areas of the Borough with new housing developments which needed access to G.P. and pharmacies.

Resolved:

1.     That the draft Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment 2022-25 be approved;

2.    That the draft Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment 2022-25 be sent out for 60-day stakeholder consultation and following which the document would be published under the direction of this Board;

3.    That the compulsory stakeholder consultation list set out in Appendix 9 be agreed.

4.    That it be noted that Rochdale Council’s neighbouring local authorities would also be consulted on this document; these were: Manchester, Bury, Oldham, Rossendale and Calderdale.