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(a) Question from Mr P Davis :-
"Is the Leader of the Council aware of the adverse impact that the introduction of the full service of Universal Credit is having on tenants and landlords, social and private, in the Borough?"
In response, the Leader of the Council reported that he was fully aware of the impact of universal credit on tenants and landlords in the Borough and that he and officers of the Council had sought guidance from the Department of Works and Pensions on the likely impact that this would have on tenants and landlords in Great Yarmouth. The Leader also confirmed that the issue of Universal Credit was currently under review by the Borough Council on its impact to tenants and landlords.
In accordance with the constitution, Mr Davis was then entitles to ask one supplementary question as follows:-
"So what will you do as Leader of the Council to re-house those evicted in the Borough especially those where the Council has no obligation to re-house those evicted through rent arrears caused by Universal Credit, and those who have been in the Borough for less than two years?"
In response, the Leader reported that as far as he was aware no one in the Borough had been evicted from their property as yet because of Universal Credit . He reported that in the event of a potential evictions taking place, the Borough Council had already arranged for measures and actions to be taken to mitigate any possible evictions. The Leader reminded Council that Great Yarmouth is a pilot area and that any problems associated with Universal Credit was being dealt with and any action where necessary would be be expedited as far as possible.
(b) Question from Mr L Sutton:-
"Norfolk and Waveney's Sustainable Transformation Plan is discussed at Norfolk's Health and Wellbeing Board. Great Yarmouth Borough Council has a representative on this board. The Board has a general duty to promote the integration of health and social care, a key element of underpinning the Sustainable Transformation Plan.
Given the importance of the NHS plan for health and social care provision in the Borough of Great Yarmouth what engagement has Great Yarmouth Borough Council had with residents, elected representatives and others in forming its position on the sustainable transformation plan, what representations had been made by GYBC into the plan and does the plan provide better or worse healthcare for the people of Great Yarmouth?"
In response, Councillor Carpenter reported that Sustainability and Transformation Plans are a new approach introduced by the NHS in an attempt to ensure that health and care services are built around the needs of local populations. They are place-based, system-wide plans, in our case covering Norfolk and Waveney and cover integration with local authority services including, but not limited to, prevention and social care, reflecting locally agreed health and wellbeing strategies.
The approach for sustainable transformation plans is on planning at an area level, rather than organisationally, and the focus is on addressing three national challenges or 'gaps'
- Health and wellbeing gap - inequalities in health
- Care and quality gap - ensuring quality and performance of health and social services
- Finance and efficiency gap - ensuring a financially sustainable health and social care system
The Norfolk & Waveney sustainable transformation plan focuses on three key priorities
- Prevention and Wellbeing
- Primary Community and Social Care and
- Acute Care
It is recognised that the size of geographical footprint of our Sustainable Transformation Plan represents a considerable challenge to ensure full involvement across the whole system, particularly at the early stages of developing plans. The Sustainable Transformation Plan Executive is made up of the following bodies:-
The five NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups, three hospital trusts, Norfolk Community Health and Care, Norfolk and Suffolk FT (mental health), East Coast Community Healthcare, East of England Ambulance Service, Norfolk County Council (including Public Health), the Norfolk and Waveney Local Medical Committee and Norfolk Independent Care. It is this Executive Board who are responsible for developing the STP. Each of the Clinical Commissioning Groups have been engaging directly with residents since the draft plans were prepared in July and as the independent body representing the views and concerns of people who live and work in Norfolk, Healthwatch Norfolk is also working with all the other organisations involved to understand what local people think about health and social care services.
The Council will continue to help shape the proposals locally through the Great Yarmouth Systems Leadership Partnership at Director level and through the Health and Wellbeing Board. We are also working closely with other Norfolk Councils as well as Waveney to ensure that the vital role played by a number of district services is recognised and maximised by closer working.
A key element of activity for the Sustainable Transport Plan Executive Board over the coming months will be engaging with the people and organisations of Norfolk and Waveney to help shape plans. Locally the Clinical Commissioning Group has appointed a new interim chief officer, with a view to a full appointment by Easter. We will work closely with the new appointees to ensure that there is a wider communication as possible with elected Members and with residents of the Borough about proposals for future changes to health and care services that affect them.
The Sustainable Transformation Plan is intended to take a whole systems approach, remove inefficiency in the system and place more emphasis on preventative services. It is too early to comment on whether this provides better or worse healthcare as it is a 5 year plan which has yet to be implemented. This Council will monitor through the mechanisms I have described the implementation of the plan but I personally welcome an approach which seeks to place more emphasis on preventative services and support for our residents. We are uniquely placed to support such an agenda through out own services such as housing and leisure.
In accordance with the constitution Councillor Sutton was then entitled to ask as supplementary question as follows:-
"Is it the Borough Council's intention to debate the sustainable transformation plan when this is published or will the Council not debate the plan?"
In response Councillor Carpenter reported that she would formally write to Councillor Sutton on this matter.