Issue - meetings

The Cabinet Member for Social Care and Health Integration introduced the 2020/21 annual report on the work of the Member Champions.

On 18 February 2018 Assembly agreed new governance arrangements including the establishment of Member Champion roles.  Councillor Irma Freeborn and Councillor Chris Rice were appointed as Member Champions for Quality of Care and for Mental Health respectively in December 2018 and Councillor Andrew Achilleos as Member Champion for Climate Change in May 2020.

The Cabinet Member advised that the Member Champion for Quality of Care had faced a difficult year as she was unable to visit the care homes due to the pandemic, however she had volunteered for BD CAN in order to continue supporting residents.  Similarly, the Member Champion for Mental Health had undertaken several activities and joined forums to keep in touch with residents during the pandemic. 

The Cabinet Member commented that the pandemic had shown how many of the Borough’s residents had underlying issues with mental health requiring extra support, which unfortunately meant increased waiting times for those seeking help.

Councillor Achilleos addressed the Assembly on climate change issues which included:

-  The effects of climate change becoming more evident in the Borough with the recent flash floods and a tornado;

-  The COP26 conference in Glasgow, the outcomes of which he felt were modest at best;

-  That while the Government was failing to meet environmental targets, the Council was excelling by retrofitting over 18,000 properties, internal and external wall insulation, heat pump technology and solar panels.

-  The development of a Borough walking and cycling strategy;

-  The ‘Wild and Free’ scheme that had come to life with the help of Eastbrookend Country Park Rangers; and

-  The launch of a new website for the County Parks (barkinganddagenhamcountryparks.com) 

The Assembly resolved to note the Annual Report of Member Champions for 2020/21.