Agenda, decisions and minutes

Councillors Hilary McGuill and Dave Mackie declared a personal interest as they were members of the Community Health Council.

Councillor Andy Dunbobbin declared a personal interest in agenda item 5 (Collaborative Projects Update) as he was on the North Wales Adoption Panel. 

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meetings held on 26 and 29 January 2015.

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

The minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on 26 and 29 January 2015 had been circulated to Members with the agenda.

            RESOLVED:

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

            That the report be noted. 

The Chief Officer (Social Services) introduced Vicky Allen, Senior Manager Children’s Lead to the Committee. 

                        The Chief Officer detailed the background to the report and explained that Welsh Government (WG) had begun consultation for parts 2, 3, 4, 7 and 11 of the Social Services and Wellbeing Act.  The report provided details of the following four areas and the key implications for each of these areas, which the Chief Officer detailed:-

·         Understanding need

·         Enhancing Wellbeing

·         Early Intervention and prevention

·         Social Enterprise

Councillor Hilary McGuill felt that the report was initially negative but when she continued to read it, she found that the Council was already undertaking many of the issues raised in the implications.  She felt that the Act was a good idea as it put the needs of the service user first and she added that it was important that a plan was put in place before the issue became a crisis.  She welcomed the updates provided in the report and commented on the problems, which were not always the Council’s fault, which arose when working with others; she highlighted the particular challenge of health.  The Chief Officer indicated that many of the issues in the report were positive and confirmed that the Authority was already complying with many of the suggested amendments to the Act. 

            Councillor Ian Smith asked about the cost of implementing the changes and the Chief Officer advised that this was difficult to identify.  He explained that there would be some cost demands initially but that the measures being suggested would prevent costs in the future. 

            The Chair agreed with the principle of the Act but felt that additional funding should be provided by WG to implement the proposed changes.  Councillor McGuill commented on the upfront costs and spoke of the need to ‘spend to save’ and the implementation of minor adaptations which would prevent spend in the future.  The Chief Officer advised that Welsh Local Government Association had commissioned a piece of research in relation to the resource implications of the Act, which he agreed to circulate.       

            RESOLVED:

            That the report be noted. 

            That the continued success in managing and developing regional projects/service collaboration be noted.  

The Chief Officer (Social Services) introduced a progress report on projects and services running collaboratively across North Wales. 

                        He provided a detailed explanation of the established collaborations and of the new collaborations that had been established in 2014/15.  He commented on the governance arrangements in place and on the partnership schemes that had been established.  The Chief Officer detailed the membership of the Strategic Partnership Board and spoke of the discussions that were undertaken at the meetings and of the level of challenge on the issues raised. 

                        Councillor Dave Mackie raised concern about the governance and whether collaboration projects would be considered for budget cuts.  He also queried the membership of the board and whether there was an opportunity for other Members to be involved.  The Chief Officer said that he would raise the comments with the Board but added that there was equal expectancy for collaborative projects to also make efficiencies but felt that investment was important to prevent future demand on services.  The Chair recalled that it had been agreed that the minutes from meetings of the Board be shared with the Committee so that Members were aware of the topics that had been discussed and queried whether this was still possible. 

                        In response to a question from Councillor Ian Smith about the Single Point of Access, the Senior Manager Integrated Services advised that the service would be based in Preswylfa in Mold and that work was currently underway to facilitate the move.  Councillor Hilary McGuill commented on the issue of parking at the site and the Senior Manager said that if there was a need for service users to visit Preswylfa once the moved had been completed, then this would be discussed with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. 

            RESOLVED:

            That the continued success in managing and developing regional projects/service collaboration be noted.  

            (a)       That the report be noted; and

(b)       That feedback be provided to the Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee who are responsible for the overview and monitoring of performance. 

The Chief Officer (Social Services) introduced a report for the Committee to note and consider elements of the 2014/15 Improvement Plan Monitoring report relevant to the Committee for the period October to December 2014.

                        He provided a detailed explanation of the following areas:-

·         Extra Care Housing

·         Independent Living

·         Integrated Community Social and Health Services

Councillor Andy Dunbobbin asked about the target figures set for measuring the level of repeat referrals and sought clarification that pressure was not being put on staff.  The Chief Officer explained that the performance indicator was testing whether the service was responding to cases appropriately to prevent re-referrals, and was therefore advising that the service was operating well.  The Senior Manager Children’s Lead explained that work was to be undertaken to analyse re-referral numbers and that this would assist in ensuring that a restructure of the service was prioritised appropriately. 

            In response to a question from Councillor Hilary McGuill on the Extra Care Facility in Flint, the Senior Manager Integrated Services explained that the planning application was to be submitted and that it was hoped that work would commence in the Autumn of 2015 if the application was approved with the facility being fully commissioned in Spring 2017. 

Councillor McGuill also commented on the minor adaptations being undertaken by the Care and Repair Service.

            On the issue of Direct Payments, the Cabinet Member for Social Services advised Members of an open day which was due to take place on 11 March 2015 and she encouraged them to attend.          

            RESOLVED:

            (a)       That the report be noted; and

(b)       That feedback be provided to the Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee who are responsible for the overview and monitoring of performance. 

            That the updates be received.      

Councillor Andy Dunbobbin provided positive feedback about his visit to Bryn Tirion.  He had enjoyed the visit and he had been made to feel very welcome and as a result had invited the children to attend County Hall, which they had accepted.  The Cabinet Member for Social Services had also attended the visit and she commented on the excellent education facilities and staff at Bryn Tirion. 

                        Councillor Amanda Bragg commented on the visit that she and Councillor Hilary McGuill had undertaken to Marleyfield House.  They had felt that it was a lovely environment and had also visited the day centre facility which appeared to be underused.  Councillor Bragg raised slight concern about the central external area which needed tidying to enable it to be used by residents.

                        In response to a query from Councillor Dave Mackie, the Environment and Social Care Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator advised that she would check if he had been allocated a visit as he had not received notification.      

            RESOLVED:

            That the updates be received.      

            That the Forward Work Programme be amended to reflect the abovesuggestions. 

The Environment and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Facilitator introduced the report to consider the Forward Work Programme for the Committee. 

            She explained that a Special meeting had been arranged for 9 April 2015 when representatives from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board would be in attendance.  Following a comment from Councillor Hilary McGuill, the Facilitator asked that Members submit their questions in advance to allow the representatives to provide a response at the meeting.  The Ambulance Trust had also been invited but confirmation of their attendance had not yet been provided. 

            The Facilitator detailed the items for submission to the 16 April 2015 meeting and explained that the Annual Council Reporting Framework report would not be submitted to the meeting.  However, at the rise of the meeting on 16 April, a training session would be provided for Members by the Alzheimer’s Society.  The Facilitator also commented on the items for submission to the meetings in May, June and July and added that a joint meeting with Lifelong Learning Overview & Scrutiny Committee had been arranged for 4 June 2015 and a joint meeting with Housing Overview & Scrutiny Committee was also being arranged.  The items for consideration at both of these meetings and the items to be scheduled were listed in the report.   

            In response to a query from Councillor McGuill about educational attainment of children, the Facilitator advised that a report would be considered at the joint meeting on 4 June 2015.  Following a comment from Councillor Dave Mackie on safeguarding children, the Facilitator indicated that Safeguarding and Child Protection was also to be considered on 4 June 2015.  The Chair asked how many Serious Case Reviews had been undertaken and the Chief Officer (Social Services) advised that an update on CSSIW Safeguarding and Care Planning was to be submitted to the 18 June 2015 meeting of this Committee and could include the requested details.      

            RESOLVED:

            That the Forward Work Programme be amended to reflect the abovesuggestions. 

                        There was one member of the press in attendance.