Agenda and minutes

An apology was received from Councillor S S Gill.

Members to declare any interests in matters to be discussed at the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

To determine whether there are any additional items of business which, by reason of special circumstances, the Chair decides should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.

There were no urgent items of business to consider.

The Board noted progress on its review on loneliness and isolation, which was being carried out by a working group of the Board, comprising of councillors E M Giles, E A Giles, S S Gill, Randhawa and Smith. 

The review sought to establish the extent of loneliness and isolation in Sandwell and what services existed in Sandwell that sought to tackle it.

The Board noted the evidence that the working group had gathered to date, which included the initial findings of the 2022 Sandwell Residents’ Survey, which had for the first time included questions relating to loneliness and isolation.  The Public Health Intelligence Team was carrying out further in-depth analysis of the data, which would be presented to the working group in the near future to support the review.  In light of this, and the further evidence that the working group wished to gather from a range of sources, the review would not conclude this municipal year and would continue into 2023/24.