Agenda item

The minutes of the meeting held 25 January and 1 February 2024 were agreed as correct records and signed by the Chair.  The minutes of the special meeting held 15 February 2024 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair, subject to a correction to the attendance to include Co-opted Members under the correct section, and a change from ‘any planning committee’ to ‘County Planning Committee’ on page 18 of the agenda pack.

The Chief of Staff, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), Andrea Petty noted matters arising and in reference to ‘Right Care, Right Person’, she noted that the Panel had received an update via e-mail.  She added the Chief Constable had made an offer to speak to Councillor R Potts directly on some of the points he had raised at the last meeting, with Councillor R Potts having taken up that offer.

The Chief of Staff, OPCC noted that in terms of the Police outcomes being included within the quarterly report, links could be circulated to the Panel, and to be included for future reports.

Councillor G Lee noted he still had concerns relating to ‘Right Care, Right Person’, giving a recent example where a Crisis Nurse had noted they would not attend unless the person/patient asked them to do so.  He added that therefore his concern was that if the Police were withdrawing their service, and Crisis Nurses would not attend an incident, who would cover in such cases.  Councillor G Lee noted there had been similar concerns raised at a recent Darlington Health Committee meeting and added he felt it would leave a gap in this regard.

The Chief of Staff, OPCC reiterated that a briefing note had been circulated to the Panel, and this had noted that ‘it is recognised that there will always be individual cases where the police need to be involved in responding e.g., where there is a real and immediate risk to life or serious harm, or where a crime or potential crime is involved’.  Councillor G Lee noted his concern was that the Crisis Nurse would not attend.  The Chief of Staff, OPCC noted that the Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) were one of the partners involved and had attended the workshop in February referred to within the briefing note, and that they, along with other partners, would be working together in this regard in future.

Councillor D Nicholls echoed the comments from Councillor G Lee, emphasising the need for the right people to be in the right place.  He noted there had been issues with some partner agencies, as had been documented, adding that it may be the work was not seen ‘on the ground’.  He added that he felt the Panel would want the necessary resources to be available for the Constabulary in dealing with those with complex needs, and welcomed the briefing note circulated to the Panel, adding he felt it was a position to be built upon.  The Chief of Staff, OPCC noted that the issue was within the draft work plan for the Panel, and she would take into account the comments made by Members.

Councillor L Hovvels noted it was an important issue, with Durham County Councill (DCC) taking a lead on the wider mental health agenda.  She added it was good for those organisations mentioned to have those conversations, and to continue to work in partnership.  She noted from her experience in such matters, that the Crisis Team would usually be the first point of contact, and if there were instances where they were not responding, then that needed to be highlighted, including in terms of any staff training that may be required.  The Chief of Staff, OPCC noted that she would suggest that until there was a comprehensive report, any gaps identified at this point in relation to ‘Right Care, Right Person’ be noted.

The Chief of Staff, OPCC noted that in respect of the minutes from 15 February 2024, the Chief Constable had agreed to report back to the Panel in relation to whether crime numbers had increased and to compare numbers from other Forces.