The Grants Determination Sub-Committee heard from the Tower Hamlets Public Health Registrar and:

• Noted that release of the grant was in the gift of the Grants Determination Sub-Committee as it had been delegated authority to grant all awards deemed to be grants; although how S106 money should be allocated was a matter for the Planning (Development) Committees.
• Noted that Grants Scrutiny Sub-Committee -
  • Supported the provision in principle but had some concerns around the siting and access to the GP provision that would be provided through this funding.
  • Had concerns that S106 monies were not being deployed in the Wards to which they pertained.
• Noted that identified needs are provided to the Council by NHS using population modelling methods.

DECISION

1. That the grant funding of £7,454,475.06 to NHS Tower Hamlets CCG be approved to deliver increased capacity, access and service provision in primary care and maintain continuity of local GP services for the following projects: Wellington Way Health Centre (New Build Extension); Aberfeldy Village Health Centre and Suttons Wharf Health Centre.
2. That the comments of the Grants Scrutiny Sub-Committee be noted.

The Grants Determination Sub-Committee heard from the Tower Hamlets Public Health Registrar and noted that release of the grant was in the gift of the Grants Determination Sub-Committee as it had been delegated authority to grant all awards deemed to be grants; although how S106 money should be allocated was a matter for the Planning (Development) Committees.

The Sub Committee heard from the Chair of GSSC and noted the following feedback:

• the project/provision was supported in principle but Members had some concerns around the location of the premises and how residents would be able to access the GP provision intended at this location.

• Members had concerns that S106 monies were not being deployed in the Wards to which they pertained.  All present were advised that identified needs are provided to the Council by the NHS using population modelling methods.

The Chair invited members of the Sub-Committee to comment on the report and they also voiced concern around the location of the proposed Globe Town surgery and whether residents could access this easily.

RESOLVED:

1. That the grant funding of £7,454,475.06 to NHS Tower Hamlets CCG be approved to deliver increased capacity, access and service provision in primary care and maintain continuity of local GP services for the following projects: Wellington Way Health Centre (New Build Extension); Aberfeldy Village Health Centre and Suttons Wharf Health Centre.
2. That the comments of the Grants Scrutiny Sub-Committee be noted.

Abigail Knight, Associate Director for Public Health presented this report stating that the report related to the release of up to £7,454,475.06 of section 106 resources to the NHS Tower Hamlets Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to deliver increased capacity, access and service provision via a number of premises improvements across primary care to enhance local GP services.

She said the funding would be divided up between three health centres:

·         Wellington Way Health Centre - £1,493,700

·         Aberfeldy Village Health Centre - £3,119,421 and

·         Suttons Wharf Health Centre - £2,841,354.06

Members of the Sub-Committee made the following comments and asked questions in relation to this report:

·         Do we have the health professionals to fill the centres being proposed?

·         How will the relocation of the health facilities benefit those who are house-bound? Better integration of community services is needed.

·         In reference to pages 34-35 and population growth, is the Council behind the curve in predicting where growth will happen and the amenities required?

·         Cabinet has already approved the S106 so what value is the scrutiny process adding to this at this stage?

o   ACTION: Johnathan Fox, legal advisor stated the constitution was being reviewed and he would report back the comments made to the Monitoring Officer.

The Sub-Committee AGREED to recommend to the Grant’s Determination Sub-Committee to:

1.    Approve the grant funding of £7,454,475.06 to NHS Tower Hamlets CCG to deliver increased capacity, access and service provision in primary care and maintain continuity of the local GP service.

With the proviso to NOTE

·         Money is not being spent within Blackwall & Cubitt Town ward and

·         In reference to page 26 point 2.5 what has the council done to explore additional capacity within the ward?