Agenda item - Public Involvement

To consider the following items raised by members of the public: (a) Petitions: To receive any petitions presented by members of the public to the full Council or to the meeting itself; (b) Written Questions: To receive any questions submitted by the due date of 10am on the 8th July 2026; (c) Deputations: To receive any deputations submitted by the due date of 10am on the 2nd July 2026.

7.1 Adrian Hart asked a public question. The Chair responded as follows:

Thank you for your question, Mr Hart. The review into the WellBN GP Practice by NHS England and Surrey & Sussex Integrated Care Board has identified serious issues regarding the clinical approach to care by some GPs at the practice.

The investigation was focused on the clinical practice of healthcare professionals working within WellBN GP Practice and the governance arrangements operating within that NHS service. Neither the investigation's terms of reference nor its findings examined Brighton & Hove City Council services, and the council is not the subject of any findings within the report. The investigation does not establish any connection between the matters identified and council-run services.

I note that a public question regarding the WellBN GP Practice was asked at last week’s Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting This is the correct forum for councillors to scrutinise local NHS services.

More broadly, you ask what assurances this committee will seek around the council’s own policies, partnerships and safeguarding governance. The Council has a responsibility to carry out its functions in accordance with the law and will continue to do that. Safeguarding is an extensive subject for which teachers and social workers are well trained and versed in. The City Council’s children’s services are rating as outstanding and all but one of the city’s schools are rated as good or outstanding. I am confident in the robustness of our safeguarding for young people and within schools. I do not have any plans to undertake scrutiny of these services in the manner you propose.