Agenda item

To consider a motion on notice submitted by Councillor Austen-Baker. Seconders are Councillors De La Mare and Joan Jackson.

The motion is enclosed with the officer briefing note. The briefing note was marked ‘to follow’ and was published on 23 September 2021.

The following motion on notice had been submitted by Councillor Austen-Baker:-

"Whereas there is some disquiet among residents at the service provided to primary care patients since the merger into one of several hitherto independent primary medical practices in Lancaster.

And whereas the Council is involved in the anticipated development of large numbers of new residential units to the south of the city, which, if realized, is likely to add significantly to demand for primary medical care in the district.

And whereas plans being developed by the Council, with partners, also anticipate the development of new primary medical care facilities, it is hereby resolved that:

(1)     The Council, by its Cabinet and its executive officers, will take all such steps, working with its partners, as are lawful and practicable, to bring about (or facilitate the bringing about of) the establishment of new primary medical care facilities for NHS patients within a new practice, independent of existing practices within the Lancaster district; and

(2)     The Council, by its Cabinet and its executive officers, will take a proactive approach, so far as lawful and practicable, to attracting to the area provision of primary medical care services ("general practice") for private patients within the Lancaster district.”

The motion was accompanied by an officer briefing note.

Councillor Austen-Baker asked Council’s permission under Council Procedure Rule 17.3 to amend the motion, replacing the wording at (2) with:-

“(2) The Overview and Scrutiny Committee establish an annual meeting to discuss healthcare matters in the district, to which should be invited representatives of relevant NHS bodies, including the local Clinical Commissioning Group.”

Councillor De La Mare seconded the request to amend the motion and Council signified agreement when a vote was taken.

Councillor De La Mare seconded Councillor Austen-Baker’s amended motion and there was a short debate.

The Mayor called for a vote and the motion was clearly carried.

Resolved:-

Whereas there is some disquiet among residents at the service provided to primary care patients since the merger into one of several hitherto independent primary medical practices in Lancaster.

And whereas the Council is involved in the anticipated development of large numbers of new residential units to the south of the city, which, if realized, is likely to add significantly to demand for primary medical care in the district.

And whereas plans being developed by the Council, with partners, also anticipate the development of new primary medical care facilities, it is hereby resolved that:

(1)     The Council, by its Cabinet and its executive officers, will take all such steps, working with its partners, as are lawful and practicable, to bring about (or facilitate the bringing about of) the establishment of new primary medical care facilities for NHS patients within a new practice, independent of existing practices within the Lancaster district; and

(2)   The Overview and Scrutiny Committee establish an annual meeting to discuss healthcare matters in the district, to which should be invited representatives of relevant NHS bodies, including the local Clinical Commissioning Group.