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Health & Wellbeing Board - Wednesday, 12th June, 2024 5.00 pm

June 12, 2024 View on council website Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)
AI Generated

Summary

The Health & Wellbeing Board of Essex Council convened on Wednesday 12 June 2024 to discuss several significant topics, including the recommissioning of the Learning Disability Specialist Healthcare contract, the provision of free school meals, and the recommissioning of domestic abuse services. Key decisions were made regarding the extension of the Learning Disability Specialist Healthcare contract and the approach to domestic abuse services.

Learning Disability Specialist Healthcare Contract

Mrs Cowdery raised concerns about the exclusion of Southend Health Watch from the consultation process for the Learning Disability Specialist Healthcare contract, which covers a wide range of services for individuals with learning disabilities and other diagnoses. The Board clarified that the decision to extend the contract for two years is under discussion and that Health Watch organisations, including Southend, will be engaged individually to ensure comprehensive feedback. The Board emphasised the importance of co-production and thorough governance in the recommissioning process.

Free School Meals

Ms Mitchell highlighted the increase in underweight children in Southend and the challenges of providing consistent and sufficient free school meals. The Board acknowledged that funding for free school meals is determined by the Department for Education's National Schools Funding Formula and that schools set their own menu prices. The Board committed to exploring ways to ensure nutritional standards and portion sizes are met consistently across primary education.

Recommissioning Domestic Abuse Services

The Board discussed the recommissioning of domestic abuse services, with a focus on the potential impact of removing specialist support for early years. Concerns were raised about the exclusion of early years IDVAs (Independent Domestic Violence Advisors) from the broader commissioning strategy. The Board agreed to consider the importance of early intervention and the need for specialist support in the context of domestic violence services. The possibility of commissioning early years IDVAs separately for Southend was also discussed.

Other Topics

  • A Better Start Southend: The Board received a progress update on the activities of A Better Start Southend (ABSS) and discussed the importance of ensuring the sustainability of the programme as it approaches its end.
  • Health & Wellbeing Board Informal Session: Feedback from the informal session held on 23 January 2024 was noted, with an emphasis on the importance of collaboration and integration in health and social care delivery.
  • Forward Plan 2024/25: The Forward Plan for 2024/25 will be finalised and presented at the first meeting of the Board in the new municipal year.
  • Social Prescribing Link Workers Annual Report: The Board received and noted the Social Prescribing Link Workers Annual Report for 2022/23.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the Public reports pack 12th-Jun-2024 17.00 Health Wellbeing Board and the Minutes of Previous Meeting.

Attendees

Colin Ansell
Maggie Atkinson
Profile image for Councillor Margaret Borton
Councillor Margaret Borton  Labour Party •  Victoria Ward
Profile image for Councillor Paul Collins
Councillor Paul Collins  Cabinet Member for Finance, Assets and Public Transport - Liberal Democrat Group Leader •  Liberal Democrats •  Eastwood Park Ward
Jo Cripps
Margaret Eni-Olotu
Profile image for Councillor Irene Ferguson
Councillor Irene Ferguson  Labour Party •  Kursaal Ward
Profile image for CouncillorNigel Folkard
CouncillorNigel Folkard  Mayor •  Conservative Party •  Chalkwell Ward
Jane Gardner
Glyn Halksworth
Robert Harris
Mark Harvey
Rebecca Jarvis
Alex Khaldi
Michael Marks
Caroline McCarron
Profile image for Councillor Judith McMahon
Councillor Judith McMahon  Conservative Party •  Shoeburyness Ward
Sophia Morris
Hamant Patel
Anthony Quinn
Krishna Ramkhelawon
Owen Richards
Emma Richardson
Profile image for Councillor Maxine Sadza
Councillor Maxine Sadza  Cabinet Member for Social Care and Healthier Communities •  Labour Party •  Milton Ward
Paul Scott
Nia Thomas
Susan Zeiss

Topics

No topics have been identified for this meeting yet.

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