Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Children, Young People and Families Services, Haringey TPCT (to follow).

(Agenda Item 6):

The CYPSPB was given an update on the financial plan of the Haringey Teaching Primary Care Trust and was informed that a significant review of the financial plans for 2006/7 which had resulted in reductions to available resources. The Board heard that discussion papers had been written relating the reductions, and that these had been submitted to the TPCT Board in April and May 2006 and the implications upon children’s services considered at these meetings. Concerns were raised at the CYPSPB that Haringey Councillors had not been involved in the TPCT Board discussions due to the purdah period and that the period/timetable for consultation on the financial plan was inadequate give the affects of the reductions in recourses that resulted. There were also concerns raised about vacancies within the TPCT and what affect the reduced recourses would have on this.

In response to these concerns, it was highlighted that it was unfortunate timing of the election and that due to financial deficit pressures, there were significant time constraints which had an impact on strategic working under the circumstances. It was argued that the responsive actions of the financial plan would minimise future difficulties in terms of service provision, but it was accepted that political engagement was lacking somewhat on this occasion. The Board was informed that the TPCT would be attending the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee in July 2006 in order to engage with the political process and health scrutiny process as it was recognised that stakeholders needed to be involved in shaping future service provision within the available recourses. With regards to vacancies, the Board was informed that due to financial constraints, there had been vacancy freeze this year and vacancies were filled only according to their order of priority. The Board also heard that redundancies were not expected within the TPCT and that a brighter picture was expected next year as a result of refunding from central government. The issue would be re-visited in due course.

The CYPPSB discussed a number of issues relating to the direction of travel for the TPCT, and highlighted that it was somewhat unclear due to the financial constraints. There was a call for further discussion at a future meeting of the CYPSPB, particularly with regard to the remit of the Board itself in relation to strategic outlook of the TPCT. It was highlighted that there was a need to maintain perceptions of service provisions in terms of “cut-backs” within the community/amongst “customers”. The Board heard that it would be effective to adopt different ways of thinking about these issues and changing emphasis, and getting this across to key stakeholders. Area Assemblies were raised as a possible form of communicating these issues. The TPCT confirmed that they would be happy to participate in this sort of discussion. Whilst the Board recognised that mechanisms for future consultation would need to be more robust, it was broadly accepted that with regards to the financial plan 2006/7 speed was a crucial factor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6