To receive apologies for absence, including notifications of any changes to the membership of the Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Board.

The Chairwoman welcomed attendees and confirmed that the meeting was being live-streamed and recorded (this can be found at Torbay Adult Care and health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Board).

A minute’s silence was observed as a mark of respect in memory of former Councillor Jean Turnbull, who passed away on 20 July 2025.

An apology for absence was received from Amanda Moss (Non-voting Co-opted Member).  It was reported that, in accordance with the wishes of the Conservative Group, the membership of the Sub-Board had been amended to include Councillor Brook in place of Councillor Bryant.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Board held on 17 July 2025.

The minutes of the meeting of the Sub-Board held on 17 July 2025 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairwoman.

To receive an update from NHS Devon on the draft case for change development process and associated timeframes for engagement. 

Dr. Anthony Hemsley (Medical Director Secondary Care ICB and Medical Director Royal Devon and Exeter Foundation Trust) and Peter Collins (Chief Medical Officer) from Devon Integrated Care Board (ICB) presented an update on their work to develop a case for change in cardiovascular services.  The previous proposal (May 2025) was withdrawn duefeedback from public and clinicians and a recognition from the ICB that they didn’t engage as widely as they should have.  The current proposal is not a decision-making document, but an articulation of challenges facing Devon’s population in cardiovascular health and inequality of access across Devon.  The ICB is responsible for providing resources to maximise services to benefit the most people.

Key challenges identified are:

·                Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of preventable illness and death in Devon and the UK.

·                There is a need to improve access to both prevention and complex interventions.

·                The ICB has a statutory duty to describe these challenges and engage clinicians and the public in shaping solutions.

Engagement and collaboration:

·                The ICB is working with Executive Directors of acute Trusts in Devon and Cornwall.

·                A listening exercise is underway to foster collaborative working and focus on patient care and health inequalities.

·                The plan aligns with the NHS 10-year strategy, emphasizing:

·                Shifting care from hospitals to community settings.

·                Digital transformation via EPIC electronic patient records.

Public and Councillors’ concerns:

Susie Colley made representations on behalf (Heart Campaign for Torbay):

·                Criticised the lack of transparency and accountability.

·                Opposed any reduction in cardiology services at Torbay Hospital.

·                Called for the ICB to scrap all proposals and instead expand services.

·                Highlighted that Torbay Hospital was ranked 4^th in the Country and had improved and been honoured over the last decade.

·                Highlighted the impact the original proposal had on the public without the development of a case for change and questioned why it was going to take another twelve months of uncertainty.

·                Raised concern over the future of Healthwatch.

Councillors’ questions and issues raised:

·                Scope and involvement: Who was involved in the scope? Who was shaping the case for change? Were MPs and ministers involved?

·                Wait times: Torbay Hospital has low wait times, making it a vital resource.

·                Financial implications: What were the projected costs and savings?

·                Culture and collaboration: Concerns about Exeter Trust’s practices and lack of co-operation.

·                Health inequalities: Torbay, Paignton, and Brixham show high deprivation and cardiovascular disease (CVD) admissions.

·                Hospital future: Fears that Torbay Hospital might be downgraded or closed.

·                Transparency and data: Criticised the lack of figures in recent Trust Board papers.  Concerns were raised about decisions being made behind closed doors at Executive Board meetings.

·                Impact on ambulance services: what about emergency care and ambulance implications. 

·                Why cardiology first?

The following responses were provided by the ICB:

·                While local MPs have been briefed and raised questions in Parliament, they were not directly involved in decision-making.

·                The ICB aimed to maximise regional resources, including treating patients from other areas at Torbay Hospital.

·                The case for change is not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

To review the action taken to reduce the illicit sale of illegal tobacco and vapes.

Fakir Mohamed Osman (Head of Heart of the South West Trading Standards) Melanie Walker (Trading Standards Officer) and Claire Tatton (Public Health Specialist) provided an update on enforcement challenges, public health concerns, and partnership efforts to tackle illicit tobacco and vape sales as set out in the submitted report and showed two videos and a photo to demonstrate the lengths people would go to in order to conceal them. (Note:  this item can be viewed at  Torbay Adult Care and health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Board - YouTube).

Members asked questions in relation to:

·                     What happens after the 3-month closure period for shops?

·                     What is the price difference between legal and illegal tobacco?

·                     Concern that the low fines (£200) versus high profits (£2,000/day) were ineffective.

·                     Were enforcement efforts encouraging public reporting?

·                     What is being done to stop young people smoking/vaping?

·                     Can the Council do more on closures?

·                     Can landlords be held accountable?

·                     How can individuals report illicit activity?

·                     Were vapes with Spice being sold locally?

The following responses were provided:

·                     Shops can reopen unless further grounds are found.  Trading Standards lacks closure powers and relies on the Police. Only two officers cover over 30 shops, 13 in Torbay.

·                     Illegal cigarettes cost £5–£7 versus £15–£20 legally.  Hand-rolling tobacco can be as low as £5 (counterfeit) versus £35–£40 legally.

·                     Prosecutions were difficult due to modern slavery links and long court delays.

·                     It was too early for data on public reporting, but Torbay Police were proactive.

·                     Education initiatives were underway to encourage young people to stop smoking/vaping.  New messaging is being co-designed with young people. Results expected next financial year.  There was also a new forum which would improve intelligence sharing.

·                     They were awaiting a 101 agreement to transfer closure powers.  Exploring Proceeds of Crime Act to seize assets.

·                     HMRC fines apply only to traders.  Landlords were warned but not fined.  However, reporting tenants to landlords had resulted in tenants being removed from some premises.

·                     10% of 230 confiscated vapes tested positive for synthetic cannabinoids.

Superintendent Hayley Costar advised that she was really proud of the work on closure orders, which were part of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Hernandez’s Partnership.  The impact of illicit trade was considered when granting a closure order, and the legitimate business impact was also taken into account.  There had been investment in UKPAC (UK Partners Against Crime) - uk-pac.com, a platform that allows traders to report directly and contribute intelligence, and that it was important to raise public confidence and the profile of enforcement efforts being undertaken.  The Vulnerability Lawyer would continue to drive closure orders in support of partners.  Part of the Vulnerability Lawyer’s role was to invest proceeds from crime back into the local area.

Reports can be made via the following websites:

https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/

https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/ro/report/asb/asb-v3/report-antisocial-behaviour/

Contacts - Trading Standards Service

Action Fraud

Resolved (unanimously):

1.         that Members welcome the joint work being carried out in partnership with Heart of the South West Trading Standards, Devon and Cornwall Police and Torbay Council and request  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

To receive an update on the implementation of the actions of the Sub-Board and consider any further actions required (as set out in the submitted action tracker).

The Sub-Board noted the submitted action tracker and that that Clerk would continue to follow up on the outstanding actions.