Agenda and minutes

The Chair informed Members that the Council is in a pre-election period with the Eastfield by-election being held on 19 June 2025 and highlighted that whilst the business of the Council continues, Members need to avoid giving an individual or a political group a platform by which they can influence public opinion in the lead up to the election.

Apologies for absence were received from Jill Quinn, Zoe Campbell and Matt Sandford. Helen Farmer substituted for Matt Sandford during Item 9: Humber and North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire Place Updates.

Resolved

a)     That the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 March 2025 are approved as a correct record.

There were none.

Members of the public may ask questions or make statements at this meeting if they have given notice and provided the text to Democratic Services (democraticservices.central@northyorks.gov.uk) no later than midday on Tuesday, 13 May 2025, three working days before the meeting takes place. Each speaker should limit themselves to three minutes on any item. 

If you are exercising your right to speak at this meeting, but do not wish to be recorded, please inform the Chair who will instruct those taking a recording to cease whilst you speak.

There were none.

An update on the Rural Health and Care Summit findings and next steps.

Dena Dalton and Ashley Green provided the Board with a presentation, the key points of which are summarised below.

·        The summit was prompted by awareness of several reports, including the 2021 North Yorkshire Rural Commission report and the 2023 Healthwatch report on rurality and access to healthcare, and knowledge that over 50% of North Yorkshire’s population lives in rurally defined locations.

·        It helped attendees understand how reports and data are being used to drive change and how organisations can work together to mitigate the impact of rurality as a health inequality.

·        The following key findings arose from the summit.

-        Rural health issues are not just about access to health services but also linked to wider determinants like transport, digital connectivity and housing.

-        Integration across care sectors (primary care, local authority, voluntary, community) is crucial. Concerns were raised regarding the transfer of patients between hospitals.

-        Workforce shortages are a pressing issue, especially for community transport.

-        People may be reluctant to seek help because of limited access to healthcare. There is a lack of local provision, a predominantly older population, a high cost of transport and fuel, a reliance on others for transport (but a difficulty in getting taxis), and extreme weather can prevent people from attending appointments. Concerns about ambulance services in remote areas were also raised.

-        The withdrawal of local services, not just health but also shops, is contributing to loneliness and isolation. Unreliable digital access can cause issues as health services move online.

-        Concerns about confidentiality in small communities may make people less likely to share mental health concerns with local contacts. Safeguarding and domestic violence may go unnoticed in rural communities.

-        Poor road infrastructure (lack of lighting, potholes, and narrow lanes) may act as a barrier physical activity.

-        Old housing with poor conditions and heating can contribute to worse health.

·        The following improvements were suggested at the summit.

-        The development of appointment clusters and the improvement of transport. The potential of holding appointments in village halls and community centres. Reviewing models of care like district nursing and health visiting to better meet rural needs.

-        Utilisation of technology to offer virtual wards and digitised health records.

-        Enhancing the appeal and viability of rural areas through the development of affordable and key worker housing to help address workforce shortages.

-        Utilising Integrated Neighbourhood Teams and involving communities in the design and delivery of care.

-        Making better use of local premises through colocation of services (i.e. NYC and the NHS).

The discussion also covered Healthwatch’s report on understanding the challenges and promoting help-seeking in farming communities. This report highlighted that 79% of North Yorkshire's land is used for farming and it sought to understand why farmers often present late with health issues. Key findings included high rates of muscular pain (nearly 75%), stress, anxiety, depression (just under half), and sleep problems (about a third).

·        The following barriers faced by farmers were highlighted.

-        The 24/7 nature of farming makes  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

To present the Health Protection Assurance Group Annual Report.

Louise Wallace introduced the report and Dr Victoria Turner raised key points which have been summarised below.

·        Key achievements include an increase in vaccination uptake, restarting the military health group with close collaboration on sexual health and a significant work on air quality which led to a reduction in air quality management areas.

·        Assurance work, including responding to the COVID inquiry, funeral director assurance visits and conducting peer reviews was highlighted. An update on the North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum was provided.

·        Challenges noted included avian flu outbreaks, winter storms and the impact of wider system changes and financial challenges.

·        The priorities for the 2025/26 year were highlighted.

Members discussed how water quality issues are dealt with and it was highlighted that environmental health lead until health concerns are reported. This was noted as being particularly relevant considering the prospect of a dry summer.

Resolved

a)     That the update is noted.

To seek approval from Health and Wellbeing Board on the 2025/26 Better Care Fund Planning Requirement submission and of the Quarterly return for quarters 1, 2 and 3 for 2024/2025.

Louise Wallace introduced the report, explaining the Board’s statutory requirements.

Resolved

a)     That the Better Care Fund 2025/26 Planning Requirement submission is signed off and the two conditions are noted.

b)     That the Quarterly Returns for Quarters 1, 2 and 3 of 2024/25 are signed off.

A verbal update and information on the Health and Wellbeing strategy update included within both the Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) and West Yorkshire ICB Annual Reports for 2024/25.

Mark Bradley and Helen Farmer introduced the report, outlining the key points within. Following this, Louise Wallace, Richard Webb and Nic Harne provided an update on North Yorkshire Council’s related work. The following points were raised during the discussion.

·        There are significant changes upcoming for ICBs. A national blueprint has been published and ICBs have until the end of May to respond. While ICBs will remain, they are expected to radically change. For example, the Humber and North Yorkshire ICB is due to cut its running costs by 40% by the end of Q3. ICBs are still awaiting the 10-year plan and what the role of NHS England will be. Staff are being kept informed as updates become available.

·        Mark went over the H&NY Strategy and highlighted areas that are likely to remain controlled by the ICB and those areas that may change hands. They are hoping to stick with the previous desired outcomes and expect to move towards a more strategic commissioner role.

·        NYC are preparing for the imminent spending review which may impact rural funding and cause significant financial challenges.

·        NYC are working with the Mayor’s office regarding a trailblazer for removing health barriers to work. This cannot fund health intervention.

·        Scoping work has started for the two care and support hubs in Harrogate and Scarborough.

·        Members were made aware of the upcoming Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment and the Board’s statutory duties.

·        A positive voluntary public health peer review was completed which provided recommendations across the Council. The recommendations are going to be turned into an action plan and brought back before the Board.

·        The new Local Plan Issues and Options consultation will start on 19 May 2025. The Plan will incorporate principles of climate change and health & well-being.

·        NYC is looking to secure grant funding through The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund to improve health outcomes.

Resolved

a)     That the updates are noted.

Richard Webb updated the board on the ongoing CQC adult social care assurance review of the council's responsibilities. He reported that fieldwork has started and that the CQC will contact partners. The process involves detailed questioning and reviews of the service.

Resolved

a)     That the update is noted.

The Chair introduced this item, requesting that Members suggest future agenda items and keep the November date free for an in-person meeting.

Any other items which the Chair agrees should be considered as a matter of urgency because of special circumstances

There were none.

Friday, 18 July 2025 at 10.30am.

Friday, 18 July 2025 at 10.30am via Teams.