Issue - meetings

(a)       That the social care activities being delivered within the third sector in Flintshire be noted; and

(b)       That the Committee annually reviews the social care activity within the third sector in Flintshire

The Chief Officer (Social Services) introduced a report on the social care activity currently being undertaken by Flintshire’s third sector.  He welcomed and introduced Mrs. Ann Woods, Chief Officer, Flintshire Local Voluntary Council (FLVC), and advised that the FLVC was the umbrella and support organisation for over 1200 voluntary and community groups based in Flintshire.  He spoke of the positive work undertaken between the Authority and the FLVC to take forward services locally and corporately and invited Mrs. Woods to give an overview of the work of the FLVC.

                        Mrs. Woods explained that the FLVC worked to promote Health and Wellbeing in Flintshire using the strength of the voluntary and community sector to promote health, social inclusion, and well-being.  The FLVC was an active member of key Local Partnerships including the Public Services Board, the Health Social Care and Wellbeing Partnership, Community Safety Partnership and others. The FLVC was also involved in supporting the learning and development of voluntary services and volunteers across the county.

Mrs. Woods referred to current legislation under the Well Being of Future Generations Act – Healthier Wales, More Equal Wales, ethos of Third Sector, and the Social Services and Well Being Act, which was the driver to ensure agencies looked at an holistic approach to meeting a support need.  She reported on the following examples of positive partnership working between the Authority and the FLVC in Flintshire:

·         Single point of access

·         Families First Board

·         Carers Strategy

·         Health Well Being and Independence Board

·         Health & Safety Care post funded by BCUHB

·         Ageing Well agenda

·         Community resilience

·         Early Intervention Hub

·         Alternative Delivery Model for Adults with Learning Difficulties

Mrs. Woods advised that a stakeholder review of FLVC services was currently being undertaken to see how best the FLVC could support them.  She said any comments or suggestions to assist with the development of the FLVC Strategic Plan and Quality Assurance measures would be welcomed.

The Chair thanked Mrs. Woods for her presentation and invited Members to raise questions.

Councillor Andy Dunbobbin referred to the increased pressure on services due to the current austerity measures and asked what the implications were for the FLVC.  Ms. Woods acknowledged that there had been a reduction in funding from the Authority and in the Welsh Government grant and commented on the need to work more collaboratively and  innovatively.

Councillor David Healey expressed thanks to the FLVC for the work undertaken on behalf of  Flintshire’s residents  to support community services which would otherwise disappear.

In response to a question from Councillor Hilary McGuill, Mrs. Woods advised that the FLVC had a good working relationship with BCUHB and had recently been invited to a management group meeting to discuss the volunteer strategy.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the social care activities being delivered within the third sector in Flintshire be noted; and

(b)       That the Committee annually reviews the social care activity within the third sector in Flintshire