Issue - meetings

(1)       The Overview and Scrutiny Manager updated the Committee on the ongoing negotiations the spokesmen of the Committee and he were continuing to hold with representatives of the West Kent Primary Care Trust, members of the Maidstone Branch of the British Medical Association and correspondence with the Chief Executive of the Maidstone and Tunbridge wells NHS Trust.

(2)       He tabled and circulated:-

·                    the spokesmen’s letter to the Chairman and Chief Executive of the West Kent Primary Care Trust dated 9 March (copied to the Chief Executive and Chairman of the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS  Trust) and a response to this letter from the Chief Executive of the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust dated 13 March 2007;

·                    a letter from the spokesmen of the Committee to the Chairman of the West Kent Primary Care Trust Board dated 14 March 2007 expressing concern that the ongoing dialogue with this Committee had not been reflected in the report which was to be considered by the West Kent Primary Care Trust Board on 15 March 2007 when a decision would be taken; and

·                    a copy of the West Kent Primary Care Trust Board report on this issue which was before the Board on 15 March 2007.

(3)       The Overview and Scrutiny Manager informed the Committee that he had attended the West Kent PCT Board meeting on 15 March 20007.  The correspondence set out in sub paragraph (2) above had not been referred to when the report was introduced and there was no recognition of the ongoing dialogue with the Committee.

(4)       He added that no formal vote had been taken on the Primary Care Trust Board’s approval of the recommendations set out in paragraph 39 of the PCT Board report.

(5)       The Overview and Scrutiny Manager reminded the Committee that referral of an issue to the Secretary of State should only take place once all opportunities to achieve a local resolution had been exhausted.

(6)       Several Members of the Committee expressed their extreme concern over the references to the NHS Overview and Scrutiny Committee by the  Leader of the County Council when he had been interviewed on Radio Kent earlier that morning, especially when negotiations to seek a resolution were at such a delicate stage.

(7)       Mr Angell moved, seconded by Mr Daley that the negotiations with the West Kent Primary Care Trust, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust and representatives of the Maidstone Branch of the British Medial Association should continue. In moving this proposal he suggested that it might be worthwhile extending the negotiations to a wider grouping of County Councillors.

(8)       Mr Hibberd made an alternative suggestion that a full detailed report should be prepared for the Committee’s next meeting on Friday 11 May.

(9)       The Committee agreed, without taking a vote, that:-

            (a)       the spokesmen of the Committee and Overview and Scrutiny Manager should continue the negotiations; and

            (b)       a detailed report should be made to the Committee at its meeting on Friday 11 May 2007, at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22