Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor G A Allman, J Hoult and G Jones.

Under the Code of Conduct members are reminded that in declaring disclosable interests you should make clear the nature of that interest and whether it is ‘Pecuniary’ or ‘Non-Pecuniary’.

There were no declarations of interests.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 15 June 2016.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 15 June 2016.

Cllr R Ashman asked for his apologies be added as an amendment to the minutes.

It was moved by Councillor M Specht, seconded by Councillor J Cotterill and

RESOLVED THAT:

Subject to the above amendment, the minutes of the meeting held on 15 June 2016 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Report of the Environmental Health Team Manager.

The Environmental Health Team Manager presented the report explaining proposed changes to driver policy and conditions before it was sent out for wider consultation.  The outcome of the consultation would be reported back to Members as part of a final report in February.  He went through each proposal in turn.

Proposal 1 – ‘It is proposed to amend the medical examination section of the fit and proper person policy by requiring the medical examination to be carried out by the applicants own medical practitioner or a medical practitioner with access to the applicant’s medical history.’

Being a General Practitioner, Councillor T Eynon stated that she had carried out these types of medical examinations in the past and she shared officers concerns regarding examining people without their full medical history.  Her main comment was that it was important for the General Practitioners to be consulted as it would impact on workloads and medical history would need to be provided.  In response to a question from the Chairman, Councillor T Eynon confirmed that a General Practitioner could not access medical records from other surgeries but there were sharing arrangements that could be put in place, this however could get complicated and that was why she felt it was important to have discussions with the local Clinical Commissioning Group.

Councillor V Richichi felt that the medical examinations should only be conducted by the driver’s own General Practitioner; he believed that it would be easier than seeing someone different and making the arrangements for medical records to be made available.  Councillor T Eynon explained that as these type of medical tests were not an NHS function it could mean a long wait for an appointment due to General Practitioners being very stretched already.  Therefore people do go elsewhere as it could be done without medical records but relies on the individual being truthful regarding their history.

The Environmental Team Manager agreed with the comments being made and stated that restricting driver’s to their own General Practitioners was initially considered.  However he was aware of the likely delays and believed it would be too restrictive.  He agreed to contact the Clinical Commissioning Group and report back to the committee with further proposals.

In response to a question from Councillor S Sheahan, the Environmental Health Team Manager explained that if medical records could not be accessed the medical examination would not be accepted by officers.  If there was a valid reason for not being able to access medical records such as the applicant originated from a different country, then the officers could use their discretion but essentially it was the applicant’s responsibility to gain access to their own medical records.

Councillor M Specht commented the he was aware of HGV drivers that on failing a medical examination would simply go to other General Practitioners until they passed.  Due to this he believed it would be a good idea for all applicants to go to the same place for examinations.

Councillor J Clarke suggested that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.