Agenda item

The Council considered a report which sought approval to amend the Terms of Reference of the Health and Wellbeing Board to enable the Cabinet Member whose portfolio included Adult Social Care, to Chair meetings of the Board, in addition to the portfolio holder with responsibility for Public Health.

At its meeting on 29th June, 2017, the Health and Wellbeing Board considered a report which sought the endorsement for the proposed amendment to the Terms of Reference and subsequent appointment of Councillor Rachael Blake as Chair of the Board.

In presenting the report, the Deputy Mayor advised that approval was sought to amend the Health and Wellbeing Boards Terms of Reference and that the Council’s Constitution would be updated to reflect the revisions.  He stated that as Members were aware, Adults and Social Care were coming closer together and in some areas in the country, Councils had realigned Social Care to be co-terminus with Health.  Therefore, it was felt that it was more appropriate for the Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care to Chair the Health and Wellbeing Board.

Councillor R. Allan Jones sought clarification as to whether there would be a conflict of interest in relation to a Cabinet Member presiding as Chair on the Health and Wellbeing Board and felt that it was more appropriate for a member to work outside of the Executive when chairing the Board.

In response, the Deputy Mayor stated that it was more appropriate to have the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care to Chair the Board and with elements of health included within that particular role.  This would offer greater flexibility in terms of future chairing arrangements.

The Monitoring Officer, Scott Fawcus, clarified the provisions in the legislation regarding Health and Wellbeing Boards and indicated that the Council was following Government guidance; this model being adopted on a national basis.

In addition, Council was also requested to seek a nomination for a replacement Labour Group Member to serve on the Planning Committee and appoint a new Chair for the remainder of the 2017/18 Municipal Year, following the resignation of Councillor John McHale as both the Chair and serving Member of the Committee.

Subsequently, it was MOVED by the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones and SECONDED by Councillor Joe Blackham, that Councillor Eva Hughes be appointed Chair of the Planning Committee for the remainder of the 2017/18 Municipal Year.

On being put to the meeting, the Motion to appoint Councillor Eva Hughes as the Chair of the Planning Committee was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED that

(1)       paragraph 4.2 of the Health and Wellbeing Board’s Terms of Reference, be revised, as set out in Appendix A to this report, to enable the Cabinet Member whose portfolio included Adult Social Care, to Chair meetings of the Board, in addition to the Portfolio Holder with responsibility for Public Health;

(2)       it be noted that the Council’s Constitution will be updated to reflect the revision to the Health and Wellbeing Board’s Terms of Reference;

(3)       Councillor Rachael Blake, in her capacity as Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, be appointed as Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board;

(4)       Councillor Dave Shaw be appointed as the Labour Group nomination to serve on the Planning Committee as a replacement, following the resignation of Councillor John McHale; and

(5)       Councillor Eva Hughes be appointed as the Chair of the Planning Committee for the remainder of the 2017/18 Municipal Year.