Agenda and minutes

Councillor Edward Smith (Chair) welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Huseyin Akpinar and Councillor Dinah Barry.

Note: Due to technical difficulties, Councillor Saray Karakus had attended the meeting as an observer but had been unable to participate in the meeting.

The Panel were reminded of the current Purdah period during the meeting as follows:

“We are now in Purdah and during this heightened period of sensitivity it is important that we ensure that Council resources are not used for political purposes. With this in mind, councillors are reminded that when at Council events or public meetings, councillors must not use that platform for political purposes. If Officers in attendance at the meeting believe this is happening the Chair of the meeting will be informed.”

Members of the Council are invited to identify any disclosable pecuniary, other pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests relevant to the items on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive and agree the minutes of the meeting held on 21 January 2021.

The minutes of the Panel meeting held on 21 January 2021 were agreed as a correct record.

The following matter was raised in discussion of the minutes:

1.            Immunisation Take-Up – Councillor Anolue outlined the work that she had undertaken since the last Panel meeting with local community groups in order the promote vaccine take-up. The Panel expressed their appreciation of her important contribution as a community representative.

To receive the latest data in relation to COVID-19 infections and fatalities and details of the vaccine roll-out programme. This information will be circulated the day before the meeting, ensuring the most current data is provided.

Glenn Stewart (Assistant Director of Public Health) presented to Members the latest data in relation to COVID-19 infections and fatalities, together with details of the vaccine roll-out programme.

Members expressed their concern at the late circulation of the information whilst noting that this had been delayed in order to provide the most current data available for the Panel’s consideration. The delay in obtaining the required NHS data was explained to the Panel. Members requested that such future reports were circulated at an earlier stage.

NOTED

1.            The detailed information as outlined on the presentation slides including:

·         The total number of cases and deaths

·         The number of new cases and recent deaths

·         The infection rate per 100,000

·         How Enfield compared with other areas

·         The testing rate per 100,000

·         Vaccination levels

·         Care Settings

·         Schools

·         Wards with the highest infection rate

2.            The graphs provided illustrated the level of triages and death rates which had both reduced. The statistics were also divided into age groups, there had been a significant reduction in the older age groups.

3.            Further illustrations on infection rates were shown by Borough and ward maps. In general the infection rates were falling.

4.            The hospital data provided as at 23 March 2021.

5.            The data showed that a total of 125,591 had received their first vaccination dose (excluding care homes). It had not been possible to provide a breakdown of this data, however the significant progress being made was noted. Glenn Stewart undertook to circulate further detailed data to Panel Members when it became available.

6.            Members expressed their appreciation to all involved in rolling out the successful and effective vaccination programme in the Borough. The situation was continuing to improve, and positive progress made. The effectiveness of the vaccine in both preventing symptoms and transmission were highlighted. It was noted that the Dugdale Centre had been set up as a vaccination centre which had capacity to administer up to 1,000 vaccines per day.

7.            In response to questions raised, Members were advised that it was still the intention for the 2^nd doses of the vaccine to be provided within 12 weeks of the 1^st dose. There were currently two booking systems, directly through the GP or via the NHS central booking system. The booking systems varied regarding the booking of the 2^nd vaccine.

8.            The Panel were informed by Councillor Mahtab Uddin (Cabinet Member for Public Health) of “pop-up” vaccination centres that had taken place at the Edmonton Islamic Centre and Enfield Mosque. Councillor Uddin undertook to advise all Councillors when future ones were planned in the Borough.

9.            A discussion took place on the testing arrangements in the Borough’s Care Homes for visitors, residents and staff. There continued to be a significant level of testing undertaken. In response to questions raised, Members were informed of the current rate of vaccination for both residents and staff for all bed based care provision across all client groups: 90.4% for residents (slightly above the London average); 63.3%  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To receive the Annual Adult Safeguarding Report.

Councillor Edward Smith (Chair) invited Councillor Alev Cazimoglu (Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care) to introduce the Adult Safeguarding Annual Report Priorities to the Panel.

NOTED

1.            Councillor Cazimoglu expressed her thanks to the Board Members and Officers for their significant and valuable work during a very difficult year with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Additional work had been undertaken to deal with the pressures experienced. Sharon Burgess (Head of Service – Safeguarding Adults, Complaints and Quality Assurance) and Bharat Ayer (Safeguarding Service Manager (Adults and Children’s) Partnerships) were invited to present the report to the Panel.

2.            That this was a Partnership report that was being presented to the Scrutiny Panel as part of a consultation with partners for comments on the 2021/22 priorities. The priorities would then be presented to the Safeguarding Adults Board and Safeguarding Children’s Partnership Executive meeting for agreement and sign-off.

3.            The summary of the key issues or achievements of the year, as set out in the report, including:

·         Safeguarding response during the pandemic across the Partnership including: regular contact with care homes; welfare calls by quality checkers; analysis of concerns during lockdown; contributing to London-wide work; additional Board meeting held; new Safeguarding Enfield website launched; training provided; safeguarding adults review learning themes developed.

4.            The important areas of work for 2021/22 included: detailed data analysis work in Enfield and regionally to better understand the impact of the pandemic and trends around abuse; the introduction of a network of safeguarding champions through the Community Awareness Raising group; a pilot project extended to include 250 devices (Amazon Echo Shows) to connect service users with their family and friends.

5.            Officers thanked the Panel for the opportunity to outline and highlight to Members the important Adult Safeguarding work that continued to be undertaken and the key areas of focus for the coming year. Members were invited to raise any comments and questions in response.

6.            In response to a question raised, Members were advised of the work that was being undertaken and developed to support victims of domestic violence in the Borough which included working with voluntary agencies. Further detailed information would be circulated to the Panel Members.

7.            Members were advised of the safeguarding work which had been and continued to be carried out following concerns raised over cases of “do not resuscitate” reports. Work had been carried out with partners and assurances provided with testing undertaken with care homes and a current community project taking place.

8.            Members were advised that the full and detailed Safeguarding Enfield Annual report was presented to Members each year in June/July. The Annual report provided information including trends and comparisons and the level and impact of work undertaken. The report presented to the Panel at this stage was providing an opportunity for Scrutiny to comment and provide feedback on the proposed priorities for 2021/22. Members’ views could then be reflected in the report going forward.

9.            In conclusion, the Panel noted the report and priorities for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To note the work programme for 2020/21

NOTED

1.            The Panel’s work programme form 2020/21.

2.            The outstanding issues and matters raised during the meeting as set out below.

3.            The North Middlesex Hospital Trust, follow up report awaited on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection. Due to the pressures experienced through the Covid-19 pandemic it had not be possible for a senior representative to attend a Panel meeting for this item. This matter would need to be rescheduled for the new municipal year.  

4.            As discussed during the meeting and outlined below, Members requested that an additional meeting of the Panel be scheduled to deal with two significant issues relating to the Re-configuration of the NHS (listed on the Panel’s current work programme) and the London Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) GP Contract Changes. It was noted that Councillor Edward Smith and Councillor Christine Hamilton had attended a recent meeting of the North Central London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting and they outlined to Members the current work in progress and consultation taking place.

5.            Councillor Alev Cazimoglu (Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care) and Bindi Nagra (Director of Health and Adult Social Care) responded and informed Members of the current processes being followed and actions being taken by the Council. A significant amount of work would be required going forward including a full analysis of both mandatory and discretionary requirements. A summary of the some of the main points were outlined to the Members.  Further information was required and it was not a matter for discussion by the Panel at this meeting.

6.            Members requested that an additional meeting be scheduled as soon as practical following the London Mayoral Election on 6 May and Annual Council meeting on 19 May 2021 to deal with these important issues. The Panel would be guided by appropriate officers on the timing of the meeting and the availability of the required information for consideration. Councillor Smith undertook to discuss further with Officers on the Panel’s behalf and circulate a proposed meeting date to the Members at the earliest opportunity.

To note that future meeting dates will be confirmed at Annual Council in May.

NOTED, that this was the last scheduled meeting of the Scrutiny Panel in the current municipal year. The dates for future meetings of the Panel would be confirmed at the Annual Council meeting in May 2021.

As detailed above, an additional meeting of the Panel would be scheduled at the earliest appropriate date in the new municipal year.

Members reiterated that all future reports to the Panel should be circulated with the agenda.