Agenda item

To receive reports from the Chairs of the Council’s Scrutiny Committees in accordance with Standing Order 36.  The reports have been attached as follows:

12.1    Community & Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee

12.2    Resources & Public Realm Scrutiny Committee

Members are asked to note that this session will include an opportunity (within the time available) for Non-Cabinet Members to ask questions of relevant Scrutiny Chair’s in relation to the remit of their Committees.

NOTED the update reports provided by the Chairs of the Community and Wellbeing and Resources & Public Realm and Scrutiny Committees.

Responses were also provided by the relevant Scrutiny Chair on the following additional questions raised during the open session of this part of the meeting:

·                Councillor Kabir expressing concern at the recent CQC Inspection of services at Northwick Park Hospital and serious issues identified in relation to maternity services.  Support was expressed for the work being undertaken by the Community and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee in their ongoing monitoring of actions being taken to address the issues identified with relevant partners.

·                Councillor Maurice regarding his experience of the quality of care received at Northwick Park Hospital.

Before being presented with the updates from each Scrutiny Committee, the Mayor reminded members the time set aside for this item was 12 minutes, with each Chair having up to three minutes in which to highlight any significant issues arising from the work of their Committees.  Once these updates had been provided, the remaining time available would then be opened up for any other non-Cabinet members to question (without the need for advance notice) the Scrutiny Committee Chairs on matters relating to the work of their Committee.

Councillor Ketan Sheth was then invited to introduce the update report on the work being undertaken by the Community and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee, with the following issues highlighted:

·                The outcome of the additional meeting of the Scrutiny Committee held on 23 August 21 in response to the CQC inspection of Northwick Park Hospital and their maternity services, which had caused significant concern amongst both members and residents.  The Committee had received evidence from a range of senior responsible NHS officers as well as other relevant partners and also considered the maternity service improvement plans with key lines of enquiry related to governance, leadership, women centred care and culture.  As a result of the review a number of proposed suggestions for improvement had been identified along with requests for additional information.  A progress update on the delivery of the maternity service improvement plan was due to be received by the Committee early in 2022.

·                The ongoing engagement of the scrutiny function in the North West London Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee with Councillor Ketan Sheth informing members of his recent election as Chair and the last meeting having considered the development of the North West London Integrated Care System, NHS Recovery Plan and progress with the Covid 19 vaccination programme.  Members were advised that the next meeting was due to be hosted in Brent on 23 September 21.

·                The focus at the next meeting of the Scrutiny Committee on housing issues including homelessness and family services and the performance of Brent Housing Management with an additional update on progress with the GP Access Scrutiny Task Group.

The Mayor thanked Councillor Ketan Sheth for his update and advised that as Councillor Mashari had given her apologies the report on the activity of the Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee would be noted as submitted.

As a result it was therefore RESOLVED that the contents of both update reports be noted.

Following the updates provided, the Mayor advised that the remainder of time available would be open for questions from non-cabinet members to the Scrutiny Chair in attendance. The Mayor reminded members of the need to ensure that questions raised were focused on the updates provided or the work being undertaken by the relevant Committee.  The following questions were raised and responses provided:

(i)      Following on from the update provided in relation to the Community & Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Kabir also highlighted her concern at the recent CQC Inspection of services at Northwick Park Hospital and serious issues identified in relation to maternity services.  Support was expressed for the work being undertaken by the Community and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee in their ongoing monitoring of actions being taken to address the issues identified with relevant partners.

In response, Councillor Ketan Sheth, as Chair of the Community and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee, recognised the significant level of concerns expressed and assured members on the robust nature of the review the Committee had undertaken at their additional meeting in response to the inspection findings and associated improvement plan.  This had included a number of senior NHS officers being called to give evidence.  Members were reassured that the Committee would continue to carefully monitor progress on delivery of the improvement plan and the supporting recommendations made as a result of the scrutiny review.

(ii)     Councillor Maurice regarding his experience of the high quality of care recently received at Northwick Park Hospital.  Whilst recognising that not all aspects of care at the hospital had been rated as inadequate, Councillor Ketan Sheth felt there was a need to ensure the Committee remained focussed on those areas were issues or significant concerns had been identified.

As no further questions were raised the Mayor thanked Councillor Ketan Sheth and members for their contribution before moving on to the next item.