This Bulletin reports the main issues covered at the full Assembly meeting of 15 November 2006.

SUPPORTING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES: PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE HEALTH SERVICES

Candy Morris, Chief Executive of the South East Coast Strategic Health Authority (SHA) and Assembly member representing health, and Dr Yvonne Doyle, Regional Director of Public Health and Medical Director of the South East Coast SHA, gave a presentation on ‘Supporting Healthy Communities: Promoting Sustainable Health Services’.

In the wide ranging debate that followed, Assembly members supported the ambition of health managers to develop services to meet the needs of an ageing population but they recounted a very different picture on the ground. They raised concerns about uncertainty created by current NHS reforms; the importance of high quality mental health services; and an increasing reliance on the voluntary sector to fill gaps.

The Assembly called on NHS managers to strike a better balance between central funding decisions and people's desire for local, personalised services.

Members discussed a possible role for local authorities in helping to direct NHS spending to meet local needs and priorities.

Despite the region being one of the healthiest, South East workers take more time off sick than anyone else in the country. Public and private sector employers have a role in helping improve the health of employees.

A delegation from Unison attended the Plenary as observers to listen to the debate. Their concerns were highlighted by Assembly member Mark Chiverton, representing SERTUC, who said despite the greater investment in health services, budgets were not balanced and essential services such as accident and emergency were being adversely affected by changes.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

The Assembly agreed to freeze local authority subscriptions for the second year running, recognising the constraints on local authority funding.

REVIEW OF ASSEMBLY CONSTITUTION

The Assembly agreed amendments to the Assembly's constitution to:

1. Make provision for partnership boards in the constitution, and to delegate to the Executive Committee, through its control over the Rules of Procedure, the powers to agree the creation, remit and terms of reference of such boards
   
   
2. Clarify the status of town and parish councillors as local government members with or without party allegiance. Independent town and parish councillors are therefore expected to group with the ‘Other Parties’ Group and will be represented through the ‘Other Parties’ Vice-Chair. However, since the political template that calculates party representation on the Executive and Planning Committees does not take parish council seats into account, a separate place on those committees is retained for town and parish councils
   
   
3. Ensure the representation of all main political parties, as required by Government guidance, so that should such a party not control any local authorities it may nominate to the Assembly's committees according to the political template if it holds more than 6% of council seats in the region
   
   
4. Increase the size of the Executive Committee to 31 in total to provide a better match with voting strength on the full Assembly. The chairmen of the Regional Planning Committee (RPC), Regional Housing Board (RHB) and Regional Transport Board (RTB) become full voting members of the Executive; an additional place is proposed for the social and environmental partners to provide equity with the economic partner membership of the Committee and maintain the balance between local government and stakeholders
   
   
5. An additional Assembly member has been agreed for the RHB bringing the total Assembly representation to six. The additional member will be a second nominee from the party with the greatest representation on the Assembly. This brings the RHB in line with the template for the RTB.

ALLOWANCES

The Assembly agreed allowances should be introduced with effect from 1 August 2006 for Assembly members on the Regional Housing Board and Regional Transport Board. Chairman will be at the same level as Assembly vice-chairs, and members at the same level as Executive and Planning Committee members.

FARMING AND SUSTAINABILITY

The Assembly debated farming and land-based industries which have immense significance for our countryside and for wider sustainability issues.

Speakers were:

• Poul Christensen - farmer, Deputy Chair of Natural England and SEEDA Board member
• Douglas Jackson - farmer and Fresh Start Academy (business advice and support for new entrants)
• Andrew Martin - farmer, Romney Marsh Farms (Green fuels from oilseed rape)
• Henriette Reinders - South East Food Group Partnership.

Members heard about the way the farming industry is changing now that subsidies have been decoupled from production. Farmers are looking to diversify or to develop as agri-businesses, looking at market opportunities, such as producing fuel from rape seed.

Like any other business farming is changing, adding value and addressing the issues it faces in order to survive and progress. The Assembly heard that due to the high average age a number of farmers are looking to retire, so supporting new entrants to the farming business is crucial.

Farmers are also developing local markets, working with schools and public services to supply food, including developing new products such as a South Downs lamb burger.

The Assembly was called upon to take a lead in rural issues in the South East, where there is a lack of strategy and too many organisations involved.

The issue of development in rural areas was also debated, there is a danger of villages stagnating without sufficient growth, but also a wish to protect the rural landscape.

Resolution

After the debate the Assembly agreed the following resolution proposed by Chris Corrigan, South East Forum for Sustainability.

‘Delay to the Rural Development Plan for England 2007-2013 - The Regional Assembly calls upon the Government urgently to take all necessary steps to secure adequate funding to allow Higher Level Stewardship to be made available from 1 January 2007.’

CHAIRMEN'S REPORTS

The Committee also received reports from:

• Cllr Keith Mitchell, Chairman of the Assembly
• Cllr Christine Field, Chairman of the Regional Planning Committee
• Cllr Nick Skellett, Chairman of the Regional Transport Board
• Cllr Elizabeth Cartwright, Chairman of the Regional Housing Board.

LEARNING AND SKILLS COUNCIL

The Assembly received a presentation by Henry Ball, Regional Director, Learning and Skills Council (LSC) on working with partners to deliver better skills in the South East. The Assembly heard how the recent regionalisation of the LSC offers the opportunity to improve alignment between the skills agenda, the Regional Economic Strategy and the South East Plan.

The LSC is looking to develop working relationships with businesses and regional organisations. Henry Ball presented early drafts of sections of the LSC regional plan and agreed that the Assembly should have the opportunity to review the plan before it is finalised.

Henry Ball offered to come back to the full Assembly in a year's time, by when he felt a noticeable improvement would have been made.

He also agreed to a proposal to meet young people to ensure the LSC is meeting the needs of students, not just businesses.

OTHER RESOLUTIONS

The Assembly also agreed two resolutions put forward by Cllr Peter Langdon, Gosport Borough Council:

1. ‘The Assembly notes the transport situation in Gosport with concern and asks the RTB to work with Hampshire County Council as local transport authority in reviewing both the short and long term solutions.’
   
   
2. ‘The Assembly calls for the Ministry of Defence and the South Central Strategic Health Authority to review the proposed closure of the Royal Hospital Haslar in Gosport.’

The Assembly supported the Chairman's view that all future resolutions must maintain a regional focus in accordance with the Assembly’s remit.

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Last updated: 21 August 2007