Agenda item

4.1  To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the open section of the meeting held on 15 July 2013.

4.1  The chair drew the committee’s attention to a note about the minutes of 15 July, item 6, on Healthwatch, received from Barry Silverman, Former Chair/Joint Chair of LINk Southwark. The scrutiny project manager, Julie Timbrell, read out the contents of his note:

This minute is potentially misleading:

·  The inherited membership of LINk Southwark was disbanded as soon as LHW came into being – former members were invited to become supporters and, subject to interview, could become volunteers

·  Neither supporters nor volunteers  participate in any process of democratic management relevant to the activities of LHW

·  All of the interim Board have been appointed and/or selected by CAS Management

·  No constitution for LHW has yet been published that provides for a democratic membership that could support a Membership Drive; it is not a Membership Organisation

·  The specialist membership that led and operated Work Streams, such as Maternity/Early years which were a feature of the LINk.  These have all been disbanded and the Members who freely contributed their skills and time dispersed on disbandment.

4.2  The project manager then relayed that she had contacted Healthwatch for comment on Barry Silverman’s note. Healthwatch agreed that there might have been a slight confusion with the terminology, but were unsure if the term ‘Membership’ was used or not in the meeting. Healthwatch clarified that Healthwatch does not have Members, but Supporters. These are interested individuals who receive the latest E-News and are asked for feedback on issues. Healthwatch said the ‘Membership drive’, referred to in the minutes, is probably referring to recruiting Supporters and Volunteers. The governance of Healthwatch is an interim arrangement until a governance recommendation is made. The Interim Board are a range of partners who contributed to the Healthwatch bid contract and will also contribute to Healthwatch’s strategic development. There has been a pause in ‘Supporters’ being actively involved in Healthwatch activities, whilst Healthwatch set up a strong infrastructure to enable Healthwatch to carry out its functions and activities. Healthwatch are now actively recruiting for ‘Volunteers’ to assist in roles such as Representation, Communication Engagement, and Intelligence analysing.

RESOLVED

Barry Silverman’s comments will be noted, along with Healthwatch’s response. The minutes of the meeting held on 15 July were agreed as an accurate record.