Issue - meetings

It was moved by Councillor Sir Ron Watson, seconded by Councillor Brough that:

Health Service Review

The current Covid 19 situation has clearly re-emphasised the fact that moves towards significant integration between the NHS and local government is critical to the development of services.

The Council is involved in the consultation process and perhaps the most important element in the overall approach to be adopted and will therefore respond to any proposals particularly in respect of service delivery that are put forward by the Cheshire and Merseyside Health Care Partnership and other interested parties.

Whilst there are currently agreements in place because of the more fundamental aspects that may emerge the more expertise from Elected Members that can be injected into the process is clearly desirable.

Sefton is fortunate that it has Members who – for example – have great experience in Mental Health issues, Adult & Children’s Social Care, Strategic Health Authorities, Acute Hospital Trusts and legal aspects of the NHS as they apply to individual patients and so a Working Group of Elected Members to review and assist in the consultation process will add value to the process.

This Council resolves to:

Establish a cross party Working Group to advise the Council on all aspects of the government’s health integration agenda. The Working Group being able to report to Cabinet, Full Council, the Health and Well Being Board or any Overview and Scrutiny Committee as it deems appropriate. Membership of the Working Group, which will not be a formal committee of the Council, to be determined by the Leader following consultation with the other political group leaders.

Following a debate on the Motion the Chief Legal and Democratic Officer officiated a vote and the Mayor declared that the Motion was lost by 40 votes to 19.