Izzi Seccombe welcomed Apu Bagchi as substitute for Mark Ereira-Guya and noted apologies from Elaine Atkinson, Louise Goldsmith, (Colette Wyatt-Lowe and Liz Mallinson Substituting).  Bill Bentley also sent his apologies.

Members noted the updates on both the transition of public health for 0-5s and the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Taskforce.

0-5 Transition

With respect to 0-5 transition members expressed concern about the need to quickly reach agreement regarding the funding formula and about the capacity of the workforce to re-skill and staff being attracted to roles in other parts of the NHS/Local government.  It was noted that Health Education England would retain responsibility for training and that the LGA is already in early discussions with them about a way forward.

CAMHS Taskforce

Members recognised the important role played by schools in the delivery of early intervention and felt we should set high expectations in this regard.

Members felt that some analysis of referral pathways would provide valuable information to help address stigma amongst an individual’s peer group and their family (from whom consent must currently be sought).

Members also felt that the transition from CAMHS to adult programmes at age 18 was also inappropriate in many cases, not least to ensure that a vulnerable adolescent is not placed amongst adults.

Care Act Stocktake

Members noted the update on the stocktake and its findings that whilst local authorities are more confident in their preparedness to implement the necessary changes (when compared to the May/June survey) this is accompanied by an associated increase in concern about the total costs of doing so.

The next stocktake in the New Year will seek to measure the degree to which implementation plans are progressing.

Members asked Andrew Webster to provide an update on the status of the ‘Ordinary Resident’ rules.

BCF

Members noted the written update on the BCF.  It was also reported that it is expected that the 48 areas currently ‘with conditions’ are expected to be signed off by January 2015. 

From January 2015 a further assessment will be undertaken to assess implementation.

The LGA has begun a conversation with Government on the basis for BCF funding for 2015-16.

NHS 5-year forward view. 

Members noted the key points of the NHS forward view and welcomed the focus on public health and the key role that local authorities have to play in reducing the costs burden of the NHS.

Members also noted the following:

·         That local authorities should steer further debate about public health onto that of people rather than institutions

·         That public perception of preventative care needs to be reinvigorated recognising the role of volunteers and communities and the play-off that exists between workforce capacity and volunteers

·         That Local Authorities should highlight the fact that they successfully manage a very diverse range of public facing services within budget whilst at the same time meeting savings targets year on year.

Members noted recent developments across the programmes of work.

Members gave their support to the proposed programme of work on mental health and made the following points:

·         That an assessment of the role of GPs would be of value;

·         That the review should consider the wider impact of mental health on areas such as the economy, community safety; and

·         The overall aim of the programme should be to ensure that local authorities offer a strong response to Mental Health

Members also asked for an update on the TEASC programme to be circulated.

Members noted the draft agenda for the joint meeting of lead members, portfolio holders and officers.  The agenda would be finalised after the CYP lead members meeting on the 15^th December.

In addition to the meetings noted, Katie Hall had attended the Learning Disability Programme Board on the 14th October and the Responsibility Deal plenary on the 18th November.

Members noted the updates on the various programmes of work.  A brief discussion on the Winterbourne View review raised the following points:

·         Members would welcome sight of the detailed NHS plan so that they could better assess the likely cost/impact on each local authority.  In particular members were keen to know of the numbers of people involved and their likely destinations;

·         That the response to the review should be fully integrated;

·         That Local authorities should push for step down beds outside of ‘institutions’ although it was recognised that for a minority few, an institutional setting may be the best option; and

·         That in two-tier areas, it will be important to ensure joining up of housing and supporting people funds.

Appended is the Work plan for information.

Members noted the minutes of the last meeting as an accurate record.