Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: NEWCES, Unit 3, Manor Road, Hawarden Business Park, Hawarden, Deeside CH5 3US

Contact: Maureen Potter 01352 702322  Email: maureen.potter@flintshire.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

50.

Declarations of Interest (Including Whipping Declarations)

To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest. 

 

51.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 73 KB

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 16 December 2019.

Decision:

That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 December 2019 were submitted.

 

Matters arising

 

In response to a request from the Chair regarding progress on Marleyfield Residential Home expansion, the Senior Manager Integrated Services confirmed progress was on track and a report would be considered at a meeting of Cabinet next week. 

 

In response to a further question from the Chair on Plas y Wren the Senior Manager Integrated Services advised that the opening of Plas y Wren was on schedule for early March 2020.

 

Councillor David Mackie moved that the minutes be approved as a correct record and this was seconded by Councillor Gladys Healey.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair

52.

Forward Work Programme and Action Tracking pdf icon PDF 82 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

(a)       That the draft Forward Work programme as submitted be approved;

 

(b)       That the Facilitator, in consultation with the Chair of the Committee be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises; and

 

(c)        That the progress made in completing the outstanding actions be noted.

 

Minutes:

The Facilitator presented the Forward Work Programme and drew attention to the next meeting of the Committee to be held on 10 February, to which representatives of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) had been invited to attend.  The Facilitator also referred to the meeting of the Committee scheduled for 26 March 2020 which was to  be held at Hwb Cyfle.  She invited Members to contact her or the Chair with any further items they wished to add to the Forward Work Programme.

 

The Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator  presented the progress report on actions arising from previous meetings.  She provided an update on the two actions currently ongoing. 

 

RESOLVED:

 

(a)       That the draft Forward Work programme as submitted be approved;

 

(b)       That the Facilitator, in consultation with the Chair of the Committee be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises; and

 

(c)        That the progress made in completing the outstanding actions be noted.

 

53.

North East Wales Community Equipment Service (NEWCES) pdf icon PDF 98 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

(a)          That the successful work of the NEWCES in supporting hospital avoidance and safe return from a hospital setting be noted; and

 

(b)          That the significant work undertaken in relation to partnerships working, including supporting the regional programme, be acknowledged.

 

Minutes:

The Senior Manager Integrated Services introduced a report to provide an overview of the current service provided by NEWCES.  She provided background information and advised that the Service delivered and installed over 30,000 items of equipment a year across North East Wales and re-used 90% of the equipment returned.   

 

The Senior Manager explained that the provision of community equipment was essential for promoting the independence of people with disabilities of all ages.  The provision often resulted in an individual being able to cope independently without the need for other services and greatly increased hospital discharge rates and supported hospital avoidance.  The Service also enabled the safe and effective delivery of other services involving support with personal care including homecare, re-ablement, intermediate care, residential and nursing home care.  NEWCES provides equipment to individuals in the community supporting all hospitals in North East Wales which assisted fast discharge and helped with Delayed Transfers in Care. The Senior Manager advised  that NEWCES  was recognised as an all Wales leader and exceeded the National Minimum Standards for Community Equipment Services in Wales.

 

In response to a question from the Chair the Senior Manager explained that any person  requesting community equipment was required to have a professional assessment in the first instance.  The Service received 21,000 referrals in the last year.

 

Councillor Gladys Healey asked if NEWCES worked with the NHS to achieve savings on equipment, and cited the hire of bariatric beds by the NHS from a private company as an example of where savings could be achieved by using the services provided by NEWCES.  It was suggested that this be raised with representatives of BCUHB at the next meeting of the Committee to be held on 10 February. 

 

Members spoke in support of the excellent services provided by NEWCES and commended the Senior Manager Integrated Services and Service Manager, NEWCES, on their achievements.  Councillor Cindy Hinds suggested there was a need to raise greater public awareness of the work of NEWCES and the facilities provided.  It was agreed that the Facilitator would liaise with the Chief Officer and Corporate Communications to issue  a press release.      

 

The recommendations in the report were moved by Councillor Dave Mackie and seconded by Councillor Gladys Healey.

 

RESOLVED: 

 

(a)          That the successful work of the NEWCES in supporting hospital avoidance and safe return from a hospital setting be noted; and

 

(b)          That the significant work undertaken in relation to partnerships working, including supporting the regional programme, be acknowledged.

 

54.

Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) Activity Update pdf icon PDF 109 KB

Decision:

(a)       That the positive feedback received from the CIW following their recent focussed activity/engagement with Social Services be noted;

 

(b)       That the Council’s response to any areas of improvement identified by the CIW during the year be noted; and 

 

(c)        That the Committee be informed about forthcoming focussed activity to be carried out by the CIW in Flintshire.

 

Minutes:

The Chief Officer (Social Services) introduced a report to note the positive feedback received from the CIW and the response to any areas of improvement identified.  He provided background information and reported that in 2019 the CIW had carried out 6 days of focussed activity/engagement with Social Services looking at Adult Safeguarding and the work of the Safeguarding Unit in Flint, Extra Care schemes, and the Council’s approach to Information, Advice and Assistance, Early Help, and the experiences of children becoming looked after. The Chief Officer advised that formal feedback from the CIW on the above activities had been positive and had highlighted a number of areas where the Council performed very well and there was good outcomes being achieved for people in the community.

 

The Chief Officer invited the Senior Manager Safeguarding and Commissioning, Senior Manager Integrated Services, and Senior Manager Children and Workforce, to report on the findings from the CIW engagement activity for their service areas. 

Members expressed praise for the innovative range of services provided which they felt were instrumental in transforming the quality of life for many individuals. 

During discussion Officers responded to the comments and questions raised around the issues of sex education and prevention, mental health and well-being, and bullying.

The recommendations in the report were moved by Councillor Paul Cunningham and seconded by Councillor Cindy Hinds.

 

RESOLVED

 

(a)       That the positive feedback received from the CIW following their recent focussed activity/engagement with Social Services be noted;

 

(b)       That the Council’s response to any areas of improvement identified by the CIW during the year be noted; and 

 

(c)        That the Committee be informed about forthcoming focussed activity to be carried out by the CIW in Flintshire.

 

55.

Rota Visits

To receive a verbal report from Members of the Committee.

 

Decision:

That the information be noted.

 

 

Minutes:

Councillor Mike Allport reported on his visit to Llys Gwenffrwd and said it had been positive and enjoyable and there were no matters to report.

 

The Chair reported on her visit to Hafod residential care home and commented on the excellent staffing and facilities provided.   She explained that service users had raised an issue regarding a shortage of electricity sockets which was being addressed.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the information be noted.

 

 

56.

Members of the Press and Public in Attendance

Minutes:

There were no members of the press or public in attendance