The Lancashire Mental Health Strategy

Draft Terms of Reference and Membership of a Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee with Blackpool Borough Council, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council Lancashire County Council

Terms of Reference of the Joint Committee

To discharge the health scrutiny functions of Blackpool Borough Council, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and Lancashire County Council in relation to any proposals made by the Lancashire Mental Health and Social Care Partnership Board in respect of the forthcoming consultation on a Mental Health Strategy for Lancashire.

Specific functions and powers of the Joint Committee

Taking account of the Department of Health Guidance on Health Overview and Scrutiny:

1. To examine any proposals of the Lancashire Mental Health and Social Care Partnership Board including their evidence base.

2. To take account of the evidence and views of user, carer and public interests.

3. To consult with, and take evidence from, the Patient and Public Involvement Forums for the Lancashire Mental Health and Social Care Partnership Board.

4. To prepare, agree and publish a report of the Joint Committee, which sets out the evidence examined and any recommendations considered appropriate to put to the Partnership Board and other parties.

5. To consider the responses of the Partnership Board and other parties to whom recommendations have been put, and the final decision of the Partnership Board.

6. To make a formal response if necessary.

7. To exercise any other powers exercisable by a Local Authority Health Scrutiny Committee by virtue of the Local Government Act 2000 and the Local Authority (Overview and Scrutiny Committees Health Scrutiny Functions) Regulations 2002, in relation to the proposals.

1 Membership

The Joint Committee shall consist of 9 members, of which 3 members shall be nominated from each of the Blackpool Borough Council and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees, and 3 from Lancashire County Council Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Chair and Vice Chair

The Committee shall elect its own chair and vice chair.

Voting

The voting rights of members of the Joint Committee shall be in accordance with their voting rights on the respective Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

Substitutes

Substitution shall be permitted according to the arrangements in force within the constitution of each authority.

Termination

The Joint Committee shall terminate when the process of consultation on the Trusts proposals is complete.

Support

Administrative and research support will be provided by the Scrutiny Units of Blackpool Borough Council, Blackburn with Darwen and Lancashire County Councils, working together.

September, 2005.