The Board to receive a report on the Fairness Commission.

Dame Suzi Leather, Chair, Plymouth Fairness Commission provided the board with a position statement on the Fairness Commission report.  It was reported that two members of the Health and Wellbeing Board, Andy Boulting and Richard Stephenson were fairness commissioners and Dame Suzi thanked them for their work.  The recommendations would be published in March.  The Fairness Commission talked to more than 1,000 individuals and groups, listened to their areas of concern and included in our position statement our interim findings.  Areas of concern -

§  Community power and influence - there was a profound sense of un-control in the city and people felt they were being done to by public services.  There was also a clear lack of engagement with political processes, we can’t simply withdraw public services and need to increase social density and build on resilience.

§  Individual and family wellbeing - highest levels of self-harm in the country and high rates of domestic abuse.  Plymouth in many respects has poor mental health and heard repeatedly the concern on the quality and quantity of services provided to children.  The shortcomings on the mental service was an intolerable burden on the police service. 

§  Young people and young adults - there was concern that many young people were not being given the opportunity to reach their full potential.  How young people learn to express themselves and get work ready.

§  Discrimination and social exclusion - this behaviour had no place in a modern city, it was suggested that racism and abuse was prevalent and under-reported.  Those with disabilities felt isolated because of difficulties accessing certain services and public places.

§  Implications for an ageing population - Plymouth was the first to become a Dementia Friendly City.  We listened to older people and people supporting people with dementia there was an uneven provision and the need for better signposting and diagnosis by GPs.

§  Cost of living crisis - financial issues were a common area of concern.  Need to explore affordable credit and financial services and money management in schools.

§  Housing - third of private housing stock in the city not decent.  Look at different approaches to improve standards and better access to independent housing advice.

§  Strengthening the local economy - Low rate of start-ups but this had changed over last 12 months.

Dame Suzi further reported that they were going to set out early wins which meant the medium and long term goals could not be forgotten about.  The medium and long term goals would make the most difference and shouldn’t be surprised by that. This was the last chance of taking this seriously, city leaders need to know how people feel, the economic crisis we cannot simply continue as we are and the city will be markedly difference so we have do things in different ways and looking at a smaller state.

The board felt that the report had some hard hitting facts and how the board commission money against some of the issues that the Fairness Commission had raised.  How do we make sure for next year’s commissioning intentions that could start to make a difference on the concerns raised.

The Board agreed –

1.         to thank Dame Suzi Leather and members of the Fairness Commission for the work undertaken so far.

2.         to invite Dame Suzi Leather to return when the final report is complete so the Board can develop an early response to the recommendations.

3.         that in developing the work programme for the Solution Shops, the Board will work with Fairness Commission to make early progress on shared issues.