Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Longden, Andy Hardy, Gary Taylor and Andy Williams.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 6 October 2017 were agreed and signed by the Chair, as a correct record.

There were no matters arising.

The Chair reported that in relation to feedback from the Health and Wellbeing Boards and STPs on the wellbeing Priorities and Devolution Proposals, this would be deferred to the next meeting. The Chair also reported on the launch of the ‘West Midlands on the Move’ event in November 2017 which he had attended on behalf of the Mayor with guest David Moorcroft.

The Director of Public Service Reform, Henry Kippin provided the committee with an introduction to Public Service Reform (PSR). The presentation set out the context of PSR which included devolution, budget, industrial strategy, housing, health and care and inclusive growth.

It was agreed that further updates would be given to the board in due course.

Jane Moore presented a report that provided an update on the work being undertaken on the Wellbeing Priorities since the last meeting and in particular reported on the two priority areas of cardiovascular disease and diabetes and on children and young people.

The report also put forward a proposal for a combined local government/health West Midlands Alliance to address health and inequality. Jane Moore reported that the proposed alliance would act as an ‘engine’ for sharing good practice and collaboration across the 6 Strategic Transformation Plan (STP) areas, WMCA and local authorities from Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Stoke on Trent, Telford, as well as the counties of Staffordshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire and Warwickshire. 

It was noted that the alliance would be an officer group, led by professionals and clinicians that would raise the profile of health and inequalities, focussing initially on the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

The report asked that the board agree the proposals (attached to the report as appendix 1) and take these to their local Health and Wellbeing Boards and STPs for further discussion.

The Chair added that the report considered today, should form the basis of the conversation with boards/STPs to consider whether an alliance was appropriate. He advised the board that the alliance would not replace the work that is currently being undertaken within the localities but would look to add value and additionality by working at the West Midlands level.

Jane Moore reported that a further report updating the board would be submitted to the next meeting in April.

Resolved:

1.     That the progress on developing the cardiovascular and diabetes and children and young people priorities be noted;

2.     That the proposal for a West  Midlands Alliance to address health and equity and health inequality be supported;

3.     That the proposal that a conversation is led by STPs, WMCA and associated local authority members via STP boards and local health and wellbeing boards as highlighted in paragraph 19 of the report be supported;

4.     That the Directors of Public Health, Directors of Adult Social Care and STP Clinical Leads support this process be recommended and

5.     That a further paper be submitted to this board following local discussions to approve final proposals for the Alliance and a framework for a concordat be agreed.

Jane Moore presented a report that outlined proposals for a WMCA Wellbeing dashboard and set out how the work on the Wellbeing Intelligence Hub and the intelligence offer that would support the objectives and priorities of the Wellbeing Board.

Jane Moore conveyed her thanks to Public Health England for their input and  intelligence capability into the design and dashboard of the report.

In relation to an enquiry from Councillor Meeson regarding the omission of data on learning difficulties and autism, Jane Moore reported that this report was the first iteration that was designed to provide a high level overview. However, she advised that she would be happy to take on board any suggestions for indicators and would report on the potential for other indicators proposal to the next meeting. It was noted that the dashboard would be a ‘live’ framework for accessing real time data.

Councillor Robertson reported that it would be helpful if there were arrows included on the dashboard to show whether the position was improving or worsening for each indicator.

In relation to an enquiry from Councillor Hamilton regarding the use of the dashboard by the proposed West Midlands Alliance, Jane Moore reported that the Alliance would review the dashboard. It was also noted that work was being undertaken to look at how this would work for population health intelligence, measuring healthy life expectancy and relating intelligence to health impacts and could support local objectives. Jane Moore highlighted that currently PHE and intelligence expertise from within four of the WMCA local authorities had been working on better reporting of healthy life expectancy. She added that this board would review the dashboard every other meeting (once every six months).

Resolved:

1.     That current progress on developing effective population intelligence across the WMCA/West Midlands area be noted and

2.     That the Wellbeing Dashboard and proposals to develop indicators linked to the wider determinants of health be noted.

Duncan Vernon was in attendance to present a report that updated the board on the development of the Health and Transport Strategy and how the actions would be taken forward.

It was noted that the Transport and Health Strategy actions and text had been agreed by the Strategic Transport Officers Group at its meeting on 15 January 2018.

Duncan Vernon outlined the four main actions emerging from strategy which were: to utilise data on population health to help prioritise and target interventions; through the Equality Impact Assessment process assess the equity of health impacts; to understand the social impact of transport schemes and to set out an evidence based statement of what makes a healthy and active street and trial the approach.

Resolved:

1.     That the actions and text of the Health and Transport Strategy be agreed;

2.     That the WMCA uses the principles set out in the actions within decision making process be endorsed and

3.     That the opportunities identified, to take forward the four actions and enhance the positive health and wellbeing impact that transport schemes have be endorsed.

Jane Moore presented a report that set out a proposed approach to written updates from the Wellbeing Board and sought feedback from the board so that it could be used as a regular tool to inform stakeholders of progress and to engage them in action.

The board endorsed the proposed written updates that would serve to support and strengthen the dialogue and synergy with the work of the Health and Wellbeing Boards and also the work of Sustainability and Transformation Plans with the Combined Authority Area.

Resolved:

1.     That the proposed approach to regular written updates from the Wellbeing Board to improve engagement between the Wellbeing Board and local boards be approved and

2.     That the development of a format for communication as set out in Appendix 1 of the report be approved.

Simon Hall presented a report on ‘West Midlands on the Move’ physical activity implementation that sought approval of a number of interconnected ‘West Midlands on The Move’ physical activity priorities.

Simon Hall reported that Coventry winning the City of Culture 2021 and Birmingham for the Commonwealth Games was a great opportunity to use international events to boost the economy, improve wellbeing and get more people active.

Councillor Hamilton reported that West Midland local authorities could help build the legacy for the Commonwealth Games and work together in partnership for the local good of the community.

Councillor Sweet concurred that a legacy would make a difference if ‘we get it right’.

Simon Hall also outlined the work being undertaken to increase physical activity as part of the second devolution deal, the sport England and Birmingham and Solihull placed based pilot and the immediate implementation priorities that are being developed by the West Midlands on the Move Theme Lead Group.

Resolved:

1.     That the physical activity outcome of the West Midlands Devolution deal and discussions with local authorities be noted;

2.     That a collaborative approach to work with Government, local authorities and commissioning agents, to pilot work to get more people active be approved;

3.     That Birmingham, Coventry and Solihull be congratulated for their considerable success in securing major events and investments into sport and physical activity which will be of benefit to the West Midlands;

4.     That approval be given for the WMCA to open discussions on a West Midlands wide coordinated commitment (legacy) to get more people active leading to and post Commonwealth Games;

5.     That a report be submitted to the next meeting on developing the Sport England framework and the scope of the disability and physical activity work be agreed and

6.     That the initial priorities as set out in the report be agreed.

Sean Russell updated on the board on the work being undertaken for the West Midlands Mental Health Commission since the last meeting.

Sean Russell reported on the key headlines in relation to the Employment and Employer, Housing First, Criminal Justice, Improving Care and Community Engagement workstreams.

Councillor Meeson reported that he and Councillor Hamilton see a lot of mental health patients and that no real support is offered to help people get into work and training which often leads them to return as patients.

Sarah Norman acknowledged there were serious challenges and whilst the employment pilot (IPS) was not based in Solihull, there was real potential for the Department for Work and Pensions to recognise the value of the pilot and to roll-out the scheme nationally.

Sean Russell reported that he was in the process of undertaking a 1 year stock review of the Mental Health Commission and conveyed his thanks to the board, Sarah Norman and the WMCA Leadership for allowing this programme ‘to fly’. He also thanked Sue Ibbotson and Alison Tonge for unblocking challenges during the course of the year.

Sarah Norman thanked Sean Russell for the terrific work he had undertaken during the course of the year and commented on the amazing progress he had made on the Thrive programme and how the WMCA had added valued to the work of local authorities.

The Chair and the board endorsed the comments made by Sarah Norman.

Resolved: That the update on the West Midlands Mental Health Commission be noted.