Agenda and minutes

Agreed the appointment of Councillor M Hussain as Chair and Councillor J Davis as Deputy Chair of the Assembly.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Members are asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interest they may have in any matter which is to be considered at this meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

Agreed the minutes of the meeting of 24 March 2010 subject to the addition of the following paragraphs 12-21 to minute 81 in relation to the Health & Adult Services Select Committee: Dementia Services Scrutiny Review:

“12.  That the Local Authority and health partners review the social, occupational and creative art therapies on offer across the Borough in different settings for dementia patients and to work towards services and resources that are fit for purpose, accessible to meet changing needs and are staffed by appropriately trained staff and volunteers representative of Barking and Dagenham’s diverse population.  This review will need to take account of the impact of the personalisation of care services.

13.   That transport needs of patients and their carers be assessed when reviewing patient and carer plans and tenders for non-emergency transport for dementia patients be regularly reviewed to ensure that they address the changing needs of patients and their carers.

14.  That Transport for London be approached about a bus service along Goresbrook Road to improve public transport links to Cherry Orchard Nursing Home.

15.  That health agencies and the Local Authority ensure that all service providers, including GPs, have an easily accessible patient pack/file available for ambulance and hospital staff setting out the resuscitation and medical intervention wishes of the patient and their families.  The Select Committee recognises that sharing of this information must be in line with data protection requirements. 

16.  That Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust review dementia training for all staff in its hospitals and assess whether all wards should have a designated dementia trained nurse and additional staffing, such as health care assistants, to help patients who are less co-operative in taking food and medication and to assist those with mobility problems, which may help prevent falls and infections.

17.  That Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust review their arrangements for the provision of translators to help identify the needs of dementia patients whose first language is not English.

18.  That Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust address the needs of dementia sufferers and carers in its safeguarding adults’ policy.

19.  That, in line with suggestions from Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, as part of a local action plan, NHS Barking and Dagenham develop proposals for improved liaison between specialist services which should include:

·  a monthly joint clinic with psychiatrists to be established so patient referrals can be dealt with efficiently and smoothly

·  NHS Barking and Dagenham and North East London Foundation Trust develop dementia link nurses to work with medical teams at King George’s and Queen’s Hospitals to improve patient care and

the voluntary sector be involved in this service, and

20.  That the Local Authority, North East London Foundation Trust, Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, NHS Barking and Dagenham review and improve arrangements for the transfer of dementia patients from hospital to ensure that they are speedily back in the comfort of their own homes in familiar  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Received a report from the Corporate Director of Resources seeking to appoint Members to the various elements of the political structure and other internal and external bodies.

Agreed to elect Councillor Smith as the Leader of the Council for a fixed term of four years, and as such, his appointment as Chair of the Cabinet.

The Assembly noted the Leader’s appointment of his Cabinet as follows:

Councillor R Gill   Deputy Leader of the Council, and as such his appointment as Deputy Chair of the Cabinet and Cabinet Member for Children and Education

Councillor Alexander  Cabinet Member for Crime, Justice and Communities

Councillor Collins  Cabinet Member for Culture and Sport

Councillor Geddes  Cabinet Member for Finance, Revenues and Benefits

Councillor McCarthy  Cabinet Member for Regeneration

Councillor Reason  Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Services

Councillor Vincent  Cabinet Member for Environment

Councillor P Waker  Cabinet Member for Housing

Councillor White  Cabinet Member for Customer Services and Human Resources

Agreed the:

1.  membership of the various Council meetings (Appendix A);

2.  appointment of Chairs and Deputy Chairs and Lead and Deputy Lead Members, and statutory Co-opted Members (Appendix B);

3.  appointment of representatives on various internal and external bodies (Appendix C);

4.  appointment of Trustees of Local Charities (Appendix D).

Members noted a number of vacancies referred to in the various appendices, the filling of which will be reported to a future meeting.

Received and noted a report from the Corporate Director of Resources.

Agreed the inclusion of the post of Chief Whip within the Members’ Allowances Schedule.

The Leader of the Council welcomed and congratulated all Members of the Council following their election.

The Assembly was pleased to:

1.  pass best wishes and congratulations to Barking Rugby Club following promotion to National League 1, which makes them the highest standing rugby club in Essex, and

2.  pass congratulations to Dagenham and Redbridge Football Club following their success in the first leg of the play off semi-final.  The Assembly sends its best wishes to the Club for success in the second leg, following which the play off final will take place at Wembley Stadium.

(* The Chair agreed that these items could be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency under the provisions of Section 100B (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972.)