Venue: Exe Room, Phoenix House
Contact: Julia Stuckey Member Services Officer
Link: audio recording
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APOLOGIES AND SUBSTITUTE MEMBERS To receive any apologies for absence and notices of appointment of substitute Members (if any). Minutes: Apologies were received from Councillor Mrs C P Daw. |
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MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING PDF 162 KB To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the last meeting of this Committee (attached).
The Committee is reminded that only those members of the Committee present at the previous meeting should vote and, in doing so, should be influenced only by seeking to ensure that the minutes are an accurate record.
Minutes: The minutes of the last meeting were approved as a correct record and SIGNED by the Chairman. |
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CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS To receive any announcements that the Chairman of Scrutiny Committee may wish to make. Minutes: The Chairman had no announcements to make. |
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MR JOHN FINN - CLINICAL COMMISSIONING GROUP Mr John Finn, Managing Director of the Eastern Locality Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group will be in attendance following a request by Members, to answer questions. Minutes: The Chairman welcomed Mr John Finn, Managing Director of the Eastern Locality Northern Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to the meeting.
Councillor Mrs J Roach asked Mr Finn who made decisions regarding what could be prescribed in terms of gluten free bread and cakes? She asked was it possible to review this in the light of the fact that gluten free food was now readily available in supermarkets and health food shops?
Mr Finn replied that decisions regarding prescriptions were down to the individual GP. He stated that the CCG supported GP’s to make the most effective use when prescribing but there were currently no formal guidelines for what they could describe, although items were mainly staple items and not luxuries such as cakes and biscuits. Consideration was being given to guidance and he offered to provide an update at a future meeting.
Cllr Mrs Roach said that many people she knew had drugs on prescription which were available over the counter; they had them on prescription because the over the counter drugs were sold in relatively small packets. Most would be willing to pay for the drug. Was there any non-bureaucratic way of addressing this issue, thus freeing up money for cancer drugs etc?
Mr Finn replied that when possible, in small doses, people should be encouraged to buy their own items, such as paracetamol. However, he explained that limits on the number that could be purchased had been introduced to limit suicides and this had proved successful. He explained that a leaflet regarding medicines for self-care was being produced for instances were a pharmacist could help a patient to self-medicate.
Cllr Snow asked why medication was cheaper abroad than in this country to which Mr Finn explained that he was not aware of a price deferential but that there had been a period of time when European companies were buying up stock and therefore pushing up prices, he considered that this practice had now ceased.
Cllr Mrs Roach then asked a question regarding bed blocking. She said that despite denials from many that bed blocking was a problem in Devon, she had seen at first hand the number of beds that were blocked on one ward by older people who were waiting for transfers from the RD&E. She asked who kept records of bed blocking and which organisation considered the impact of bed blocking on other agencies such as the ambulance service?
Mr Finn explained that records regarding bed blocking were kept by the provider and reported nationally on a monthly basis through the Better Care Fund. He considered that one provider for acute and primary care could help the situation (as in North Devon) and that he had aspirations that this would be the case when the Royal Devon and Exeter (RDE) took over in this area.
Cllr Mrs Roach then said that despite reassurances that Social Services and the NHS were able to provide care for people in their own homes, ... view the full minutes text for item 139. |
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PUBLIC QUESTION TIME (1.01.48) To receive any questions relating to items on the Agenda from members of the public and replies thereto.
Note: A maximum of 30 minutes is allowed for this item. Minutes: Mr M Brett, referring to agenda item 6, said that the beneficial effect on the vitality and well-being of rural economies provided by good internet connectivity was well established. Despite all the positive spin applied to the successful provision of faster broadband, the 10% of the Devon Population deemed to be least cost effective to reach were still largely unserved. They currently suffer not only from unreliable and slow broadband, but also from a complete lack of meaningful data from anyone about what they might end up with, and when. The longer provision under the government’s scheme takes, the less suitable the performance capabilities of that service become. Many observers regard the superfast broadband currently being installed by the monopoly supplier as already technically obsolete, and certainly not well suited for the sorts of digital involvement that government, local councils and medical agencies (amongst others) are hoping to develop in order to improve services and save money in the long term.
The campaign group “Broadband for Rural Crediton” (which I am representing today) has been created in Sandford and Creedy Ward in an attempt to counteract the ‘spin’ and increase public awareness of the true facts (both good and bad) surrounding this complex topic. We are even exploring the feasibility of a community led scheme to install high performance fibre to the home ourselves.
A meeting was held with Mr Knuckey and Ms Denton of CDS during which there was an indication of “possible assistance” available to a suitable community scheme to accelerate their adoption of Superfast Broadband via fibre to the home. We have recently been advised that a further meeting is planned for March 18th. Please could Mr Stride ensure that during discussion (which I’m sure will range over bigger things than our campaigns initially planned scope) that clarification of this possible assistance is actually covered, and not forgotten?
Prompt clarification would help us to decide how best to assist this seemingly neglected section of the population to help itself. We would be happy to attend to provide direct input at any stage.
Mr Mel Stride MP replied saying that he would be attending the meeting scheduled for 18th March and that he was in support of community groups. He considered that in rural areas where the costs were high the community could reduce costs by helping with infrastructure. He was aware of the problem with broadband speeds in the area, but the cost of installing was exceeding the budget and this was where local communities could have a real impact. He had not been widely enthusiastic regarding Phase One and had let this be known. Phase Two was more interesting with more suppliers and different solutions such as Airband which was being implemented on Dartmoor. The work of the community group was really important and he would be doing what he could to support them and help work towards solutions. |
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MEL STRIDE MP The Committee to welcome the MP and put questions. Minutes: The Chairman welcomed Mr Stride to the meeting.
Cllr Mrs J Roach asked the following question regarding the relaxation of planning controls and raise concerns regarding the following:
With regard to permitted development, the legislation for conversion of agricultural buildings to housing is weakly written, particularly with regard to interpretation of the word "structure" and this has led to marked variation in decisions. Also because it is permitted development, it only has to meet certain criteria and permission is automatically given. Neighbours and other interested parties have no right to object. An additional danger is that a modern barn is converted and sold. The farm is sold and the new owner has inadequate storage. He/she then applies for a new barn under a formal planning application, is given permission and so the cycle continues. This only benefits the land owner, has a minimal impact on housing needs and destroys the countryside.
Regarding barn conversions Mr Stride clarified that there was no carte blanche blanket ability for anyone that owned a barn to do what they wished with it, there could still be restrictions that the local authority considered it appropriate to apply for example, the guidance stated that development is permitted subject to before the conversion taking place the applicant must apply for planning, with regard to transport, contamination, flood risk and other areas, a whole group of tools and caveats that the local authority may apply when they didn’t feel in respect to those matters that the proposal was appropriate. He offered to approach DCLG if there were any angles that Mrs Roach wanted him to look into the matter further.
Local people should have a strong say in the decision. The future of local services (shops, schools and GP surgeries) is important in the decision.
Mr Stride responded that the Local Plan and Neighbourhood Plans were the tools by which the authority could ensure that areas, such as the infrastructure, were in place. Decision making should be taken at the lowest level possible. He suggested that the local community should become involved early in the process when consultation was taking place. He informed Cllr Mrs Roach that if there were specific cases to be looked into he would be happy to do so.
Guidance on back garden development was unclear resulting in decisions which do not appear to be consistent.
With regard to back garden development the MP said that he would look into this for Cllr Roach. He understood that there had been a significant number of back garden developments prior to 2008 but that this had been stopped.
Cllr Mrs Roach stated that she was aware that the Charity Commission had severe difficulties responding to queries. Whilst I thank you for your successful intervention in our case, I am concerned that the delays are causing significant problems to people who are trying to help their communities. The Charity Commission stated in a letter to me that their inability to respond to queries was due to ... view the full minutes text for item 141. |