Agenda and draft minutes

At this point in the meeting, Members are asked to declare:

·        any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests

·        any prejudicial interests or

·        any disclosable pecuniary interests

which they may have in respect of business on this agenda.

At this point in the meeting, Members were asked to declare any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, any prejudicial interests or any disclosable pecuniary interests. None were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meetings held on 16 October 2018 and 12 December 2018.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the meetings held on 16 October 2018 and 12 December 2018 be approved and signed as an accurate record.

At this point in the meeting, members of the public who have registered their wish to speak regarding an item on the agenda or an issue within the Committee’s remit can do so. The deadline for registering is 5:00pm on Monday 11 February 2019.

Filming, Recording or Webcasting Meetings

Please note that, subject to available resources, this meeting will be filmed and webcast, or recorded, including any registered public speakers who have given their permission. This broadcast can be viewed at: http://www.york.gov.uk/webcasts.

Residents are welcome to photograph, film or record Councillors and Officers at all meetings open to the press and public. This includes the use of social media reporting, i.e. tweeting.  Anyone wishing to film, record or take photos at any public meeting should contact the Democracy Officer (whose contact details are at the foot of this agenda) in advance of the meeting.

The Council’s protocol on Webcasting, Filming & Recording of Meetings ensures that these practices are carried out in a manner both respectful to the conduct of the meeting and all those present.  It can be viewed at: http://www.york.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/11406/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetings_20160809.pdf

Gwen Vardigans addressed the committee regarding agenda items 4 and 6 and had two questions associated with thee items:

-      Question on agenda item 4: How will the new accommodation units at James House help to contribute to the wider issue of homelessness in York?

-      Question on agenda item 6: How will the closure of the in-patient facility in Harrogate affect the new mental health hospital in York and the wider mental health provision in North Yorkshire?

The Chair thanked Ms Vardigans for her questions and requested that the officers respond to these questions during the relevant agenda items.

This report updates the committee on measures being taken by the Council through its preventative work and resettlement pathways to provide support for people who are homeless and classed as either rough sleepers or single homeless people.

Officers presented an update report on the support given to ‘rough sleepers’ or ‘single homeless’ people in York, as requested at the previous meeting of the committee. Officers stated that the report from the charity Crisis in 2017, highlighting the number of Homeless deaths in York (11), included those in supported accommodation, the number of ‘rough sleepers’ who died in 2017 was 1. The report highlights that in 2007, there were 207 households in temporary accommodation. In 2017, this figure was at 68 and by September last year, the figure stood at 58. The number of ‘rough sleepers’ in the city reduced from 29 in 2017 to 9 in 2018 and Officers noted that York was one of three services that were initially awarded Gold standard in 2017 for the quality of provision.

Officers responded to the question posed by Gwen Vardigans in the Public Participation section of the meeting with the following comments:

-      The temporary accommodation at James House ensures that this provision is provided primarily at one location, which allows for support to be on site and focussed.

-      The support at James House includes helping Homeless people manage their future housing plans and apply for work.

-      The provision at James House is 57units and the current provision is 54, increasing the overall provision of units in the city and the quality of units.

In response to Members questions, officers stated that:

-      There is a need for improved specialist supported Housing specifically for complex mental health needs, however this funding is not currently available.

-      The criteria for Making Every Adult Matter can be flexible however this service is primarily designed for people with complex needs and anyone not fulfilling this criteria would be supported by resettlement services.

Officers clarified the definition of ‘Household’, explaining that this term refers to anyone going through temporary accommodation. Officers also clarified that they will only choose to use the ‘bed and breakfast’ option when they do not have temporary accommodation available. Officers also stated that all ‘rough sleepers’ had been offered accommodation.

Members commended the fantastic work of the Yes Below Zero project as an excellent example of partnership working.

Members were interested to understand that the issue of safety in hostels or accommodation, that has been reported as an issue elsewhere in the Country, is a problem for York. Officers noted that it is something people say but it can be related to whether homeless people want the accommodation offered as a result of the rules and regulations associated with it.

Members questioned the average age of people who have died on the streets and officers informed the committee that the national average age is 47, In York this figure was roughly 44.

In further questions from members regarding the continued provision of emergency accommodation outside of the winter months, officers stated that they were currently exploring the idea to keep the 5 bed unit open all year round. Officers also noted that there were a number  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

This report provides an update on the work of the Humber, Coast and Vale Mental Health Partnership, to keep members informed of the ongoing efforts to improve collaboration and mental health and wellbeing outcomes in the Humber, Coast and Vale area.

Officers from the Humber Cost and Vale Mental Health partnership were in attendance to update the committee on the collaborative work being undertaken and the on-going efforts to improve mental health and wellbeing.

Members asked questions on the status of the Suicide prevention strategy and how this had been created. The officers noted that each Local authority must have a suicide prevention strategy and the strategy noted in the report was an amalgamation of the strategies of partner organisations. Officers also responded to member questions on achieving ICS (integrated care system) status and noted that this should be viewed as an acknowledgement of the partnerships maturity and ability.

Members were interested to know what the improved access in relation to mental health support for the Homeless would look like in York. In response, officers stated that the challenge is establishing a more collaborative system to providing community mental health rather than individual services providing these services in isolation.

Members questioned officers on cross-boundary provision of services and in particular, mental health in-patient facilities that are being discussed in York and in Harrogate. The officers made the point that the need for wider strategic thinking on these issues is important in making a more meaningful impact in communities in more than one area.

Members were interested in the performance indicators for the partnership and officers stated that it was ‘in progress’ as this was the first time that performance indicators had been pulled together for the partnership. It was also noted that a key outcome of these combined performance indicators was triangulation and understanding what combination of provision offers the best balance of service and value and that funding flows to the areas in which it is most needed.

Members questioned the postponement of the work on Community mental Health teams. Officers stated that the NHS had commissioned a national strategy and that this work was on-going. They have since produced a draft strategy on Community mental Health and the work of the partnership on this front was paused until the framework is published.

This report provides an update on the development of the new mental health hospital for York and Selby to assure the Committee of work underway to enable effective future management of both community services and inpatient beds.

David Brown, the Interim Director of Operations to TEWV NHS Foundation Trust and Dr Steve Wright were in attendance to update the committee on the progress on the new Mental Health Hospital on Haxby Road. Officers began by informing the committee that the development was on track and was due to be ready in April 2020. It was also noted why the discussions around other area patients coming to York was being considered, in particular around the change of bed use and the provision of community services also.

Mr Brown commented on the question from Ms Vardigans, stating that particularly around mixed sex wards, there need to be standards of separation and these are monitored by the Care Quality Commission. It was stated that is was possible to have mixed units where these standards are met and that there is an important balance between the provision of beds and the provision of community services that needed to be considered.

Members voiced concerns over the future proofing of this development and what the need for in-patient beds will be in 5 years time. Officers noted that they have attempted to factor this into the planning of this facility, to allow for adaptations as and when they are needed.

In response to Member questions, officers stated that they had received up to date estimates from Harrogate, based on their population, for the need for in-patient beds in the event that one is not provided in Harrogate. These figures were 12 for adults and 12 for older people, split between organic patients and patients with more complex mental health needs.

In response to a question regarding assurances that York residents would not be moved out of area as a result of these discussions, officers stated that this was not the purpose of the report. The report was focussed on addressing why it was felt that discussions around the sharing of this facility and the provision of further community services could be considered and the changing picture on the need for community services against beds. Officers noted that they were very mindful of the potential for people to be moved out of area however being able to further resource community initiatives could significantly improve the amount of people needing beds in the future as has already been shown from the outcomes achieved with the current limited resources in community initiatives.

Officers clarified the term ‘in area’, describing it as in the locality in which the patient lives and national guidance is around 50 kilometres. Officers also described some of the community provision planned as part of the development and noted the proposed involvement from York St. John.

This report updates the Committee on a planned Joint Scrutiny of Health meeting between Health Scrutiny Members of North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC), Leeds City Council (LCC) and City of York Council.

The Chair asked for the agreement of the committee, for members of this committee to attend the Joint Health Scrutiny meeting with Leeds County Council and North Yorkshire County Council.

Resolved:  That members formally nominate Cllrs Doughty, Taylor, Cullwick to attend the joint scrutiny meeting on 15 February 2019.

Reason:     To comply with City of York Council Scrutiny protocols and procedures

This report outlines the support options available to people in York who are experiencing a mental health crisis. It was requested following member queries about a reduction of the hours of operation of the Mental Health Support line, run by City of York Council.

Jackie Harrison addressed the committee regarding her concerns regarding crisis support services in York. Ms Harrison noted that, should she have need of a service outside the hours of the Mental Health Support Line, there would be nowhere adequate for her to go, in which she could speak to people that know and understand her, or receive the help she needs. Ms Harrison noted that accident and Emergency and her GP are not sufficient and do not provide the support that would be required in a moment of crisis.

June Tranmer then addressed the committee acknowledging that there are over 50 agencies in York providing support to people experiencing mental health issues, however with one in four people in York saying that they are experiencing mental health problems, the need is far greater than the services can provide. Ms Tranmer also noted the on-going strain on University counselling staff. Finally, Ms Tranmer spoke of the need for all the information needing to be in the report, particularly around the data on the need for in-patient mental health beds, that the speaker said is available through various organisations.

Cllr Craghill explained to the committee that she had concerns regarding the lack of a 24 hour crisis support line and explained that the services listed in the report do not provide this service. Cllr Craghill wished to know whether the change in service provided by the TEWV support line intended to fill the gap in provision for 24 hour phone support left by the Mental Health Support Line. Finally, Cllr Craghill asked the committee to set up a task group to look in more depth at the provision of crisis support services in York and the reduction in hours of the Mental Health Support Line.

Officers were present to answer Member questions on the issue of crisis support services in York.

In response to member questions, Officers stated that it was not a choice between trying to integrate services and provide the mental health support line. The Mental Health Support Line was not intended as a Crisis support line, and each of the users of that service has been contacted to discuss how the preventative support they were offered by that service can be provided.

Officers clarified that in paragraph 3, it should reflect that one in four people experience a mental health issue at some point in their lives. Officers also stated that they would report back to the committee with the details of the how the NHS Digital Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey was constructed so that the statistics can be viewed in context.

Officers spoke of the community mental health model which will reflect new national guidance on how community mental health teams should be formed. Officers stated there would be an event on 8 April that will bring that model to life.

Officers also mentioned in regard to the previous report that came to the committee on the Mental health Support Line, stating that the support line does have  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69.

This report presents all the findings of the Task Group set up to undertake the Substance Misuse Scrutiny Review and provides information on the impact and potential outcomes of planned reductions, particularly in funding to alcohol services in York.

The committee were presented with the final report from the Substance Misuse Scrutiny Review. Members of the task group noted their thanks to all parties who helped provide information to this review.

The Director of Public noted that there the decisions regarding public health funding come from a national cut to public health grants and this cost saving exercise has had to happen across all services.

Both officers and Members mentioned the importance of a joint commissioning approach and more co-ordination of services and the impact that this would have.

Members of the committee noted their thanks to the task group and all officers involved in the review.

The Director of Public Health requested two changes to the wording of the recommendations:

-      Recommendation 4: wording to read “such an approach should be led by the Director of Public Health.”

-      Recommendation 5: wording to read “facilitated by the Director of Public Health”

Resolved:  Subject to the above changes, the committee endorsed the final report and review recommendations set out at paragraph 63 to be referred to the Executive.

Reason:     To conclude the review in line with scrutiny procedures and protocols.

Members are asked to consider the Committee’s work plan for the municipal year.

Members reviewed the work plan for this committee for the last meeting of the municipal year.

Members requested an update on the development of the Bootham Park site at the next meeting. Officers said that they would investigate the potential for an update.