| Item | Description | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| PART 1 - PUBLIC | ||
| TF 08/001 |
Minutes |
The Minutes of the meeting of the Forum held on 26 November 2007 were received and agreed as a correct record of the proceedings. |
| TF 08/002 |
Update on any action identified in the last Minutes. |
No matters were identified. |
| TF 08/003 |
Kent County Council Services Update |
The Kent County Council Liaison Manager, Loic Flory, provided an update which would be circulated with the Minutes and invited questions from the Forum. Mr Flory was unable to confirm the cost to Kent County Council per student for free school bus passes but further information could be obtained at david.hall@kent.gov.uk The positive impact on reducing traffic during school run hours was noted. Further clarification on the Empty Property Initiative was sought in respect of seizing long term empty properties from their owners. Members were advised that a legal mechanism existed to compulsorily purchase the property if necessary but that negotiation with the owners would be attempted in the first instance to address the problem. Further information on the No Use Empty campaign could be found on www.no-use-empty.org Forum Members were invited to request subjects to be included in future updates. |
| TF 08/004 |
Local Health Issues/Tonbridge Cottage Hospital Review |
Members received a presentation from Julia Ross the Director of Civic Engagement with the West Kent Primary Care Trust. The latest news in brief was outlined including the current Primary Care Trust financial position and an update on Pembury PFI. Members were reminded of the context and background to the bed closures at Tonbridge Cottage Hospital and the subsequent review in May 2007 which had highlighted a positive and vibrant future for the Community Hospital. Following a recent bed audit and review of referrals a decision had been made by the West Kent Primary Care Trust to re-open six community beds in order to maximise the accommodation available at the hospital. Referrals and the bed situation would be monitored for a further six months and the number of beds could be adjusted further based on the outcome of that process. Members discussed a range of issues connected to the Cottage Hospital including the preference for single sex wards; getting the right level and type of services for the community; the importance of palliative health care; equitable healthcare across the Primary Care Trust and the valuable role the Hospital had in providing additional space not accommodated at the new Pembury Hospital. The inadequacies of public transport, road infrastructure and limited car parking at the new Pembury Hospital site continued to be a cause of concern amongst the Forum. The Cabinet Member for Community Development reminded the Forum that the current lease for the Cottage Hospital expired in 2012 and asked how the Primary Care Trust intended to address this issue. Members were assured that options were currently being explored and that negotiations were underway with the property owners. Targeted consultation on future options for the hospital would commence shortly with stakeholders. Disappointment was expressed that people had difficulties accessing services they had paid for via taxation, especially when national Government was advising that record sums of money were being paid into National Health Services. Alison Corden-Dilley, Head of Stakeholder Engagement, gave a presentation on the Health Advisory Network. This provided an opportunity for the people of West Kent to influence how money was spent on local healthcare; shape new or changing services and feedback on patient experience and satisfaction by being involved in different activities ranging from participation in service review groups, to service evaluation or just commenting on key documents. The Network would focus more on local health issues compared to the recently announced LiNK initiative which included social care as well as health across Kent. The Network provided a way of influencing new services whilst LiNK provided a way of commenting on existing services. The Chairman thanked Ms Ross and Ms Corden-Dilley for their useful and informative presentations and for their contribution to the meeting. |
| TF 08/005 |
Hope 2008 - Community Volunteering Initiative |
Mr George Gilbert Smith of Tonbridge Baptist Church outlined the details of a community volunteering initiative called Hope 2008. This was a nationwide scheme of churches working in partnership, serving the community and making a significant social contribution. The activities and projects involving young people were outlined including a family fun day, Slum Survivor, Bash the Trash, Home Decoration, engaging with the needy and international friendships. Mr Gilbert Smith hoped that the Forum and Borough Council would support and encourage the initiative and any suggestions were welcomed. The Chairman wished the Hope Project every success and felt it would be hugely beneficial for the community. At the request of the Chairman copies of the presentation would be circulated with the Minutes. |
| TF 08/006 |
News of Forthcoming Events |
Mr H Lilly, President of Tonbridge Rotary Club provided news of a forthcoming Brass Spectacular being held at 1900 hours on Saturday 15 February in the Medway Hall. Monies raised would be donated to Pickering Cancer Drop In Centre based in Tunbridge Wells. Councillor Aikman, as a member of the Rotary Club, updated the Forum on the latest arrangements for the Scarecrow Trail. Carers First would be the supported charity. Promotion for this event would start shortly with more details being available on the Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council website. The Chairman closed the meeting by reminding Members that the next meeting of the Forum was scheduled for Monday, 2 June 2008. |