(Draft)
1. Purpose of the Somerset Health and Well Being Partnership
1.1 Somerset Health and Wellbeing Partnership (HWB Partnership) is one of six subgroups of the Somerset Strategic Partnership (SSP). The aim of the partnership is to improve the health and wellbeing of people in Somerset and reduce the inequalities in health experienced by some social groups or people living in geographical areas of greater social need.
1.2 The objectives of the partnership are:
1.2.1 To provide leadership and co-ordinated action to improve health and wellbeing and reduce health and social inequalities in health in Somerset.
1.2.2 To bring together an overarching strategy for reducing health and social inequalities and improving health and wellbeing in Somerset and to monitor key agreed actions.
1.2.3 To assess and consult on the health and wellbeing needs of the people in Somerset in order to inform jointly agreed priorities and influence the health-related policies of agencies represented in the Partnership. The Partnership will oversee the development and dissemination of the statutory Joint Strategic Needs Assessment for Somerset.
1.2.4 To enable effective joint commissioning and monitoring of joint work to improve health and reduce health and social inequalities.
1.2.5 To harness new opportunities with the third sector to promote health and wellbeing and tackle health and social inequalities.
1.2.6 To ensure community involvement and engagement in the development of health and wellbeing plans, using opportunities to link up relevant community involvement activities where possible.
1.2.7 To be responsible for the development, overall delivery and performance management of the Healthier Communities section of the Sustainable Communities Strategy and the Healthier Communities and Older People Themes of the Local Area Agreement and to contribute towards the Comprehensive Area Assessment in relation to health and wellbeing.
1.2.8 To ensure that commissioning decisions and implementation are based on best evidence of effectiveness including those set out by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).
1.2.9 The Partnership will also abide by the Generic Terms of Reference for all SSP Sub-groups (see 7.1 below)
2. Working Arrangements
2.1 The Partnership will be supported by Officers and the relevant theme-based groups as identified below. There will be a two-way dialogue between these groups and the Partnership to report on progress and consider proposals for future developments in line with priorities.
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Somerset Tobacco Control Alliance
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Somerset Physical Activity Group
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Somerset Obesity Forum
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Somerset Food and Health Group
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Somerset Intelligence Network
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Somerset Sexual health implementation team
In addition there will be close links with the DAAT, CYPP, Stronger Communities Group and adult partnership board around the prevention agenda.
2.2 The Partnership will link closely with district Health and Wellbeing Partnerships and other SSP subgroups to ensure appropriate connections are made between different geographical areas and across themes within the Sustainable Communities Strategy and the Local area Agreement
3. Membership / Chair
3.1 The core membership of the Somerset HWB Partnership will be nominated from the agencies seen in appendix 2. A co-ordinated approach to nominations will attempt to achieve a balance of representation and ensure membership provides effective and efficient partnership working. There should be at least two elected Members on the Partnership.
3.2 In addition to the core membership, others may be invited to attend meetings on a one-off or for a limited period, in order that they might offer specific expertise or knowledge. This will include those who might offer a ‘user perspective’.
3.3 The Partnership will appoint a Chair and a Vice Chair. Both positions will be reviewed on an annual basis. However, in the interests of continuity, it is anticipated that the appointees will serve for at least one full LAA period.
3.4 The membership of the Somerset HWB Partnership will be in accordance with the generic terms of reference for SSP sub-group (see 7.1 below).
3.5 Administrative support will be provided to the Chair and the Partnership by the host agency for the incumbent chair.
4. Meetings
4.1 The partnership will meet a minimum of four times per year. The timing of the meetings will be co-ordinated with the quarterly reporting of the LAA and SSP Joint Board meetings.
4.2 The agenda will contain the following standing items:
4.3 Each meeting will focus (in part) on a particular theme or topic. A programme of themes / topics to be discussed will be produced in advance to ensure that the full range of interests are covered.
4.4 Meetings will be held in accordance with the generic terms of reference for SSP sub-groups (see 7.1 below).
5. Reporting / Accountability
5.1 The Chair of Partnership shall be a member of the SSP.
5.2 The Partnership will report directly to the SSP. Reporting will be through:
5.3 The Chair will ensure that all decisions and actions have due regard for the agreed policies of the SSP.
5.4 Minutes will be circulated to District LSPs and LSP health and wellbeing sub group chairs.
5.5 All members of Somerset HWB Partnership are responsible for ensuring that the business of Somerset HWB Partnership is conducted in accordance with the generic terms of reference for SSP sub-groups (see 7.1 below).
6. Responsibilities of the members of SH&WBP
6.1 It is the responsibility of all members of the Somerset HWB Partnership to ensure representation at all meetings.
6.2 In the event of nominated members being unable to attend, a suitable, fully briefed substitute with the authority to represent his/her organisation, network or partnership should be found to ensure continuity of the agency’s participation.
6.3 Members shall represent the views of the agency, network or partnership that they represent in accordance with the generic terms of reference for SSP sub-groups (see 7.1 below). Each Member will have the authority to speak on behalf of their organisation(s) and to report back.
7. Review
7.1 These terms of reference will be reviewed annually or as and when it is felt appropriate with full agreement of Somerset HWB Partnership core members, in accordance with the generic terms of reference for SSP sub-groups (see below).
SSP Sub-Groups - Generic Terms of Reference
Agreed by the SSP Executive 13 October 2006
1 Purpose
1.1 To represent the interests of a wide range of partner agencies in relation to the work of the Somerset Strategic Partnership in achieving its objectives. The Sub Group/Partnership will:-
1.2 Contribute to the review, refreshment and delivery of the Somerset Community Strategy by supporting the development and deployment of outcomes, targets and relevant performance management measures relevant to the sub group;
1.3 Contribute to the development and delivery of the LAA for Somerset by supporting the development of outcomes, targets, relevant performance management measures and identifying future freedoms and flexibilities relevant to the sub group;
1.4 Oversee, monitor and co-ordinate the delivery of the relevant themes of the LAA/Community Strategy, ensuring appropriate challenge to service delivery and outcomes;
1.5 Provide advice and support to all partners on how the communities of Somerset can become more involved on public service delivery and design.
2. Guiding Principles
2.1 The Partnership\sub-group will seek to add value, avoid duplication and work closely with the other partnerships involved with the Community Strategy and the LAA. In respect of the Community Strategy and the LAA, the Partnership/sub group will ensure that it pays due regard to the cross-cutting themes that must underpin its work and the wider governance role of the SSP.
2.2 The Partnership/sub-group will recognise, and give due regard, to the important role of the LSPs within Somerset in identifying and tackling issues within their local communities. The Partnership/sub group will therefore seek to support and strengthen this area of work rather than duplicate or undermine the key role of the LSPs.
3. Membership
3.1 There will inevitably be some overlap of interest between sub groups. Members should be aware of these interdependencies and relationships, rather than seeking to have every interest represented on every sub group. Specifically, membership should take account of the overarching principle agreed by the SSP that governance structures should reflect issues of interest and not of place.
3.2 Typically Partnerships/sub groups should not exceed 20 members for optimum working.
4. Accountability
4.1 The Partnership\sub group is accountable to the SSP Executive for reporting on performance.
4.2 The Chair will act as the Partnership\sub group champion and ensure that all meetings and decisions have due regard to the policies of the SSP.
4.3 Representatives will be responsible for representing the views of the organisations and/or local partnerships they are representing at the meeting, rather than their employer and for keeping their respective organisations and partnerships up to date on progress. As such, members will need to be mindful of the need to declare any potential conflicts of interest that may arise for individual items.
4.4 The Partnership\sub group will determine the extent, and need for, wider dissemination of decisions and outcomes and the appropriate communication channels to use for such activity
4.5 Each Partnership\sub group will elect a representative to sit on the SSP Executive Board and will review the election on an annual basis. The partnership\sub group should also identify a deputy for this role.
5 Chair
5.1 Chair and Vice Chair to be appointed annually from within the membership of the Partnership.
6 Meetings
6.1 To be determined by the Partnership, but at least quarterly with appropriate communication occurring in between meetings.
6.2 The Partnership\sub group will strive for consensus, but if this cannot be reached, will record formally the voting position of its members.
6.3 The Partnership\sub group will be deemed quorate when at least half of all voting members, plus the chair or vice chair are present.
6.4 Agendas, minutes and supporting papers to be issued no later than one week before the partners\sub group meets.
6.5 Minutes and actions will be recorded at each meeting and presented for approval at the following meeting.
Appendix 2
Somerset Health and Wellbeing Partnership Proposed Membership
Organisation/Network Representative
NHS Somerset Joint Director of Public Health
Consultant in Public Health
Non-executive Director Lead for Health and Wellbeing
Somerset County Council Director of Communities and Adult Social Care
Director of Children’s Services
Cabinet member for adult and children’s health and wellbeing
Mendip Health and Wellbeing lead
Sedgemoor Health and Wellbeing lead
South Somerset Health and Wellbeing lead
Taunton Deane Health and Wellbeing lead
West Somerset Health and Wellbeing lead
SVSN Chair
Somerset Intelligence Network
Government Office for the South West Consultant in Public Health
LINKs
Foundation Trusts x 3
