Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Chief Superintendent Andy Beard, Marsha Foster, David Watts, Emma Bennett and Katrina Boffey.

Inspector Helen Jackson attended for Chief Superintendent Andy Beard, Judy McDonald attended for Marsha Foster, Becky Wilkinson attended for David Watts and Andrew Wolverson attended for Emma Bennett.

Professor Steve Field CBE declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 9 in his capacity as Trustee of the homelessness charity, Pathway.

[To approve the minutes of the previous meeting as a correct record.]

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting of 8 July 2020 be approved as a correct record.

[To consider any matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.]

There were no matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.

[To receive the Health and Wellbeing Together Forward Plan 2020 - 2021.]

Madeleine Freewood, Development Manager presented the Health and Wellbeing Together Forward Plan 2020 – 2021 and outlined future agenda items. It was noted that the Local Outbreak Engagement Board item consisted of an overview up to the minute data to avoid a repetition of discussions from the last Local Outbreak Engagement Board meeting.

It was noted that the next meeting of the full board was scheduled for 13 January 2021 and that any requests for additional agenda items be forwarded directly to Madeleine Freewood, Development Manager or through Democratic Services.

Resolved:

That the Health and Wellbeing Together Forward Plan be noted.

[To agree the priorities to take forward following the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy Review Development Workshop.]

Madeleine Freewood, Development Manager presented the outcomes from the Joint Health and Wellbeing (JHWB) Strategy Review Development Workshop.

It had been agreed at the last meeting of Health and Wellbeing Together Executive Group on 2 September 2020 that a review of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy would be undertaken to evaluate existing health priorities and identify new ones that had emerged as a result of the impact of COVID-19.

To this end, a Development Workshop had taken place shortly before the public meeting. Intelligence had shown that pre-existing health inequalities in particular had been exacerbated by the pandemic and a discussion had taken place to explore how to plan a response.

It had been agreed that focus would be maintained on addressing the Growing Well, Living Well and Ageing Well priorities for the remainder of the JHWB Strategy’s life. In light of the impact of COVID-19 on health inequalities, it had been proposed that a Health Inequalities Strategy be developed to address this. A number of workstreams had been identified which would be underpinned by engagement, participation and co-production with across the system and with Wolverhampton residents.

Health and Wellbeing Together agreed that a Health Inequalities Strategy be developed along with an action plan for the City. It was agreed that multi-agency task and finish groups would be established to plan activity for these workstreams and a programme of engagement opportunities with citizens. The January 2021 agenda for Health and Wellbeing Together would be informed by this activity.

Resolved:

1. That a Health Inequalities Strategy and Action Plan for the City of Wolverhampton be developed and co-produced with residents and health partners.
2. That multi-agency task and finish groups be established to scope and agree activity required to progress workstreams.
3. That a programme of citizen engagement exercises be carried out.

4.    That progress updates be received at the January 2021 meeting of Health and Wellbeing Together.

[To receive a verbal update on the work of the Local Outbreak Engagement Board.]

Dr. Kate Warren, Consultant in Public Health delivered the Local Outbreak Engagement Board Update. A slide provided the current findings of the Local Outbreak Engagement Board as at the time of the Health and Wellbeing Together meeting and an overview of the information was provided.

It was reported that there had been a daily increase in cases since September 2020 of around 60 – 80 cases per day on average. The table displayed on the accompanying slide showed the relative position of Wolverhampton at 142 per 100,000 case rate and it was clarified that this statistic informed the level of infection and in turn the tier the area was placed in. At the time of the meeting, Wolverhampton remained in Tier 2 and was seventh in the region as at 20 October 2020.

It was reported that NHS activity had increased at New Cross Hospital although numbers of COVID patients were still at relatively low levels.

The map on the slide showed there was no particular area of focus and the density of the areas changed daily. In terms of ward areas, there were no outliers that were significantly higher and cases were increasing across the City in general.

It was worth noting that a classed ‘outbreak’ in a setting could be as few as two people passing the virus on in one setting. Settings still required support, such as education, work and healthcare settings however it was noted that much of the transmission was passed on in community settings.

Resolved:

That the Local Outbreak Engagement Board Update be noted.

[To receive an evaluation of the ‘Everyone In’ programme.]

Anthony Walker, Homelessness Strategy and External Relationships Manager delivered the presentation on the City of Wolverhampton – Homeless Services Provision. The presentation provided background and an evaluation on the Everyone In programme.

Following the Central Government announcement of a requirement for local authorities to house all rough sleepers and individuals, City of Wolverhampton Council established emergency accommodation in a City Centre location within the Redwings hotel. Co-ordinated support was provided by Council and Wolverhampton Homes staff, treatment services, statutory partners and third sector organisations throughout the pandemic.

It was highlighted that 16 of the City’s most entrenched rough sleepers had been accommodated and 160 people had received accommodation and support, 27 of whom had no access to public funds.

The programme highlighted that night shelters and other forms of shared accommodation are no longer safe under COVID guidelines therefore a demand for self-contained accommodation has risen. Following the work undertaken during the pandemic, it was acknowledged that there was an opportunity to refocus homeless services in Wolverhampton to provide the best possible support and ensure resources are best placed. It was identified that there was a need for a service to accommodate vulnerable single people in Wolverhampton that would take the form of an Assessment Centre staffed by partners.

It was noted that the suspension of landlord action due to COVID-19 had resulted in a significant backlog of court cases involving rent arrears. There were concerns around the emotional and health impact of the outcomes of these cases on tenants. Andrew Wolverson, Head of Service Children's Strategy and Partnership noted that the service was aware and were looking to engage with landlords to contact them prior to falling into arrears. There had been a Rent with Confidence scheme in progress to engage with tenants as early as possible before problems arose although delays had been experienced due to COVID.

The Leader commended the work carried out by Redwings and partners across the City and commented on the difference the work had made to the new model for tackling rough sleeping going forward. It was acknowledged that, although there were individuals who did so by choice, no-one should be forced to sleep rough. It was noted that further plans were in development towards tackling the issue.  Councillor Linda Leach pledged her support as Cabinet Member for Adults and Professor Steve Field CBE also offered support from the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust. As a trustee for the national homeless charity Pathway, Professor Field CBE had observed that early intervention was most effective to prevent rough sleepers needing hospital treatment.

Resolved:

That the City of Wolverhampton Council – Homeless Services Provision be received.

[To receive the City of Wolverhampton Winter Plan.]

Councillor Linda Leach, Cabinet Member for Adults provided a brief introduction to the City of Wolverhampton Winter Plan outlining that the NHS produced an annual Winter Plan and all local authorities had been called upon following the emergence of COVID-19 to provide its own.

Becky Wilkinson, Head of Adult Improvement presented the City of Wolverhampton Winter Plan report and highlighted key points. It was noted that the 2020 -2021 had been published by the Government on 25 September 2020 with three key principles:

• ensuring everyone who needs care or support can get high-quality, timely and safe care throughout the autumn and winter period;
• protecting people who need care, support or safeguards, the social care workforce, and carers from infections including COVID-19; and
• making sure that people who need care, support or safeguards remain connected to essential services and their loved ones whilst protecting individuals from infections including COVID-19

It also set out 15 key actions for Local Authorities and NHS organisation with a further 10 set out for providers. The draft City of Wolverhampton Winter Plan provided an outline on how the Wolverhampton system planned to address the requirements set out in the 2020 -2021 Winter Plan and how each action was proceeding.

It was requested that members of Health and Wellbeing Together contact Becky Wilkinson, Head of Adult Improvement with any queries, suggestions and feedback on the Draft City of Wolverhampton Winter Plan.

Resolved:

1. That the draft City of Wolverhampton Winter Plan 2020 – 2021 be received.
2. That members of Health and Wellbeing Together provide feedback on the draft City of Wolverhampton Winter Plan 2020 -2021 by contacting Becky Wilkinson, Head of Adult Improvement.

3.    That Health and Wellbeing Together note the partnership approach Wolverhampton had taken to the Winter Plan response.

[To endorse the Safer Wolverhampton Community Safety and Harm Reduction Strategy (2020-2023).]

Hannah Pawley, Community Safety Manager presented the Safer Wolverhampton Community Safety and Harm Reduction Strategy 2020 – 2023 and highlighted salient points. It was outlined that the Safer Wolverhampton Partnership (SWP) acted as the local Police and Crime Board for Wolverhampton whose purpose was to develop and deliver strategic plans for Wolverhampton.

It was noted that the Community Safety Strategy document was reviewed every three years to ensure it remained relevant and fit for purpose; the previous strategy ended March 2020 therefore had been refreshed as the Safer Wolverhampton Community Safety and Harm Reduction Strategy (2020-2023).

The Strategy had been approved at Full Council on 16 September 2020 and Health and Wellbeing Together partners were asked to endorse the Strategy and collaborate with the SWP wherever possible to strengthen the City response to crime and harm reduction.

Resolved:

1. That Health and Wellbeing Together endorse the Safer Wolverhampton Partnership (SWP) Community Safety and Harm

Reduction Strategy (2020-2023).

2. That Health and Wellbeing Together collaborate with SWP where possible to strengthen the City response to crime and harm

reduction.

[To consider any items of business by reason of special circumstances (to be specified) that in the opinion of the Chair are matters of urgency.]

There was no other urgent business.