North West Scrutiny Support Officers' Network Meeting

27th February 2009

Agenda

1. Notes of the Last Meeting

To receive for information, the attached notes of the last meeting of the Network held on 17th October 2008.

2. Councillor Call For Action

Ed Hammond, Policy Officer (Centre for Public Scrutiny) will attend the meeting to give a presentation on the proposals for the Good Practice Guide for the Councillor Call for Action. Ed is currently writing the Guide and will be able to provide an invaluable insight to what will be regarded as good practice.

The Guide will also cover Councillor Call for Action in relation to the provisions of the Police and Justice Act 2006. It is understood that this Councillor Call for Action, albeit in the format revised by the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act, will also be implemented to a similar timescale.

Furthermore, the remainder of the scrutiny issues under the Police and Justice Act 2006 are expected to be introduced later this year.

3. North West Employers Organisation - Support For Officer Training

To discuss and suggest the kind of training that might be most usefully provided in the North West by the North West Employers’ Organisation and the amount of fees that authorities would be prepared to pay.

4. Pay And Grading Review

To note any recent developments.

5. Organisation Of The Network

Joanne Heron who jointly convenes this Network and gives a “District’s Perspective” to the Agenda is leaving South Ribble to become Scrutiny Manager at St Helens Metropolitan Borough. Joanne will, therefore, no longer be undertaking this role and it is hoped that a replacement can be agreed at this meeting.

6. Arrangements For The Next Meeting

Additional Item:

Health Scrutiny Issues:

1. Specialised Commissioning

The North West Specialised Commissioning Team (NWSCT) is a non-statutory NHS body responsible for commissioning designated “specialised services” – services best planned on a wider footprint than a single PCT, have low volumes of activity at high cost, and cover complex/chronic conditions associated with single spells of treatment over prolonged periods in specialist centres. Examples are Specialist Cardiac, Renal, Allergy, Cleft Lip and Palette, CAMHS, Burns.

NWSCT is based in Stockton Heath in Warrington. Robin Roberts, Scrutiny Policy Manager with Cheshire County Council, has acted as the link between the SCT’s Chief Officer and Health Scrutiny Officers in the North West. With Local Government Reorganisation due to take effect in Cheshire, Robin Roberts will step down from his position with Cheshire County Council on 31 March.

The Network is invited to nominate someone to pick up this link role to try to ensure as smooth a hand-over as possible.

2. Burns Review

Health Scrutiny Chairs and their Support Officers were invited to a Briefing at Wakefield on 2 February on the work to date of the Northern Burn Care Network. To review outcomes.

3. North West Regional Health Scrutiny Conference

Two successful Regional Health Scrutiny Conferences have been co-sponsored by this Network and NHS North West since 2007. To consider whether similar arrangements are to be made for a 2009 event.