Issue - meetings

For Cabinet to note the following Scrutiny Panel Reviews:

a)    Scrutiny Panel Report on Mental Health and Accommodation

b)    Scrutiny Panel Report on Mental and Physical Health

c)    Scrutiny Panel Report on Mental Health and Community Safety

Cabinet received the Scrutiny Panel reports set out below and these were introduced by the Vice-Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Councillor Pippa Connor. Councillor Connor introduced the reports in the absence of Councillor Gideon Bull, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, who had given apologies.

In introducing the reports Councillor Connor noted that the Panels had made their recommendations with the understanding that the Better Care Fund Integration Plan would be focusing on mental health in 2015/16.  Whilst it was recognised that this was not new money the recommendations were made with the opportunities that this funding might present in mind.

Mental Health and Accommodation

The report highlighted the importance of having access to appropriate and good quality accommodation in relation to mental health recovery.  The Panel had also noted that the right environment, support and move-on opportunities were also key to recovery. In addition the importance of the appropriate organisations working together from the outset to provide a seamless and an integrated mental health housing pathway was highlighted.

Mental Health and Physical Health

The Panel had recognised that work was being undertaken to improve the physical health of mental health of patients and service users in the borough. However, a number of areas where closer links and partnership working across the organisations had been identified and the recommendations made sought to addressing this.

Mental Health and Community Safety

It was noted that the Police had suggested that the Panel looked at this subject as they wished to raise the profile of the issue and the impact that mental ill health had on community safety and the local community.

The Panel looked at the reasons why people came into contact with the criminal justice system and focussed on how people with mental health issues came to the attention of law enforcement agencies as a result of suffering a crisis or creating a disturbance issue.

The Leader thanked Councillor Connor for presenting the reports and there was agreement that promoting a better understanding of mental health issues was helpful to the wider work being done around mental by the Council’s Public Health team at present.

RESOLVED:

That the recommendations set out in the scrutiny project reports from 2013/14 listed as (a) to (c) below be noted:

a)      Mental Health and Accommodation

b)      Mental Health and Physical Health

c)      Mental Health and Community Safety

Alternative options considered

Not applicable.

Reasons for decision

Not applicable - the report is for noting only.