Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence from those Members who are unable to attend the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor Darren O’Donovan and Councillor Habiban Zaman.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 3 December 2025.

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the meeting held on 3^rd December 2025 be approved as a correct record.

Members will be asked to say if there are any items on the Agenda in which they have any disclosable pecuniary interests or any other interests, which may prevent them from participating in any discussion of the items or participating in any vote upon the items.

No interests were declared.

Most agenda items take place in public. This only changes where there is a need to consider exempt information, as contained at Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. You will be informed at this point which items are to be recommended for exclusion and to be resolved by the Panel.

All agenda items were considered in public session.

The Panel will receive any petitions and/or deputations from members of the public. A deputation is where up to five people can attend the meeting and make a presentation on some particular issue of concern. A member of the public can also submit a petition at the meeting relating to a matter on which the body has powers and responsibilities.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10, Members of the Public must submit a deputation in writing, at least three clear working days in advance of the meeting and shall subsequently be notified if the deputation shall be heard. A maximum of four deputations shall be heard at any one meeting.

No deputations or petitions were received.       

To receive any public questions.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11, the period for the asking and answering of public questions shall not exceed 15 minutes.

Any questions must be submitted in writing at least three clear working days in advance of the meeting.

No public questions were received.

To consider the proposed Place Provider Partnership arrangements for Kirklees. 

Report to follow.

The Health and Adults Social Care Scrutiny Panel received an update from representatives from the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), Kirklees ICB and partner NHS Trust on governance changes, establishment of Place Provider Partnerships (PPPs), and the implications for Kirklees.

It was highlighted that national NHS reforms required significant changes to the governance and operating model of ICBs. A shadow Place Provider Partnership would be established from April 2026 with full contractual delegation from West Yorkshire ICB to Place Provider Partnerships intended for April 2027. Kirklees was unique in having three acute providers across the footprint.

Questions and comments were invited from Members of the Health and Adults Social Care Scrutiny Panel, and the following was raised:

Governance and Decision making

• The Sponsor Group was not a decision?making body; it would oversee development work only.
• The Design Group would operate at place level and would include representatives from all major partners.
• The Panel raised concerns regarding the clarity of Kirklees representation at officer level, transparency around legal advice, and whether council processes and local authority voice were adequately understood.
• It was confirmed that the Memorandum of Understanding and governance structures remained draft, with further iteration required and that public health was being added as a formal member. Voting arrangements and quorum would be reviewed following panel and joint scrutiny feedback.

Shadow year arrangements

During the shadow year:

• Decisions would remain with West Yorkshire ICB, not the PPP.
• PPPs would influence, shape, and recommend, but would not hold financial accountability.
• The PPP would evolve from the existing Health & Care Partnership arrangements.

Involvement of Partners

• Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise representation would continue via Third Sector Leaders and Compact arrangements.
• Partners such as Yorkshire Ambulance Service, Fire Service and Police Service would continue to engage primarily through the relevant programme boards (e.g., ageing well, urgent care), not via formal PPP membership.
• Pharmacy involvement would be strengthened over time, but no immediate membership changes were planned.

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

• There was no requirement to sign the draft MOU before April 2026.
• Existing Healthcare Professionals MOUs remained valid during the shadow period.
• Revised documents would return to scrutiny following a legal review, place?based feedback and joint scrutiny recommendations.

Children’s Services and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

• SEND remained a key area for improvement following inspection outcomes.
• The ICB was strengthening children’s health capacity, including recruitment to new designated roles, improved service specification, alignment with continuing healthcare functions, and outcome expectations that were to be consistent across West Yorkshire, though delivery models may vary by place.

Resources and Staffing

National requirement for ICBs to reduce running costs had led to:

• A reduction from 1000 to 650 staff at West Yorkshire level.
• A consolidation of place teams, including a combined Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield (CKW) integrated function.
• 120 staff would continue to be place?based across West Yorkshire.
• Concerns about capacity were acknowledged, transformation capacity at place level has been protected wherever possible.

Dental Commissioning

• Dental commissioning would continue  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50.

The Panel will review its work programme and agenda plan for 2025/26.

 Contact: Yolande Myers, Principal Governance and Democratic Engagement Officer.  Tel: 01484 221000.

RESOLVED- That the work programme be noted and that future agendas include:

    (i)        Domiciliary Care Quality in April 2026

  (ii)        Care Quality Commission to return early in the next municipal year.