Agenda, decisions and minutes

To appoint a Chair of the Committee.

That the Committee noted the appointment of Chair.

The Member Engagement Manager advised that Councillor Carol Ellis had been reappointed to this role at the Annual Meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee noted the appointment of Chair.

To appoint a Vice-Chair of the Committee.

That Councillor Andy Dunbobbin be appointed Vice-Chair of the Committee for the ensuing municipal year.

The Chair sought nominations for a Vice-Chairman for the Committee.

                        Councillor David Wisinger nominated Councillor Andy Dunbobbin as Vice-Chair of the Committee and this was duly seconded by Councillor Ian Dunbar.

            RESOLVED:

That Councillor Andy Dunbobbin be appointed Vice-Chair of the Committee for the ensuing municipal year.

No declarations of interest were made.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meetings held on 9 and 16 April 2015. 

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

The minutes of the meetings held on 9 and 16 April 2015 had been circulated with the agenda.

RESOLVED:

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

That the report be received.

The Member Engagement Manager provided background information and advised that the Constitution Committee had approved a new structure and terms of reference for the Overview & Scrutiny committees.  The recommendations following the Overview & Scrutiny structure review were submitted to County Council at the Annual Meeting on 12 May 2015.

The Member Engagement Manage explained that the terms of reference of the Committee were appended to the report and that the responsibilities of the Committee had not changed from those of the Social & Health Care Overview & Scrutiny Committee in the previous structure. 

RESOLVED:

That the report be received.

That the Committee is satisfied that the draft report provides an accurate and clear account of social care in Flintshire.

The Chief Officer (Social Services) introduced a report on the draft annual report on the effectiveness of the Authority’s social care services and priorities for improvement. 

The Chief Officer provided background information and reported that the Annual Report had been prepared following an in-depth review of current performance by the Social Services Senior Management Team, Service Managers and Performance Officers.  The improvement priorities contained within the Report were aligned to the priorities contained within the Social Services Business Plan for 2015/16 and associated efficiency plans.  He explained that a Member Task and Finish Group had shaped the key messages contained within the Report.  He gave an overview of the main considerations which were detailed in the report and referred to the key improvement priorities for 2015/16.

The Chief Officer referred to the draft Annual Report and the findings of the Annual Improvement Report from the Wales Audit Office which was received in March 2015.  He also commented on the Social Services and Wellbeing Act (2014) which was passed into statute last year and would be fully implemented by April 2016.  The Chief Officer drew attention to the Corporate priorities and the work done to fulfil them.  He also commented on the value of quality feedback from service users and highlighted examples of some of the things reported and the action taken to address the matters raised.   

The Chair invited Members to raise questions.

Councillor Dave Mackie welcomed the report.  He referred to the  concerns he had raised previously around the format and printing of the Report and was reassured by Officers that his suggestions had been taken on board.

Councillor Ian Dunbar expressed concerns around the length of the adoption process and cited an example of prospective parents who had become disillusioned as a result of delays in the adoption process.  In his response the Chief Officer advised that the Welsh Government insisted on a national approach around adoption and said there was a strong North Wales Association.  He acknowledged the points raised and reported that processes were improving as the Authority sort to strengthen the approach around adoption.  He referred to the need to adhere to court proceedings and commented that the actual timelines of responsibility for adoption in North Wales were as good as elsewhere.     

Councillor Dave Mackie suggested that the example cited by Councillor Dunbar highlighted the need to keep people fully informed of progress and the reasons for any delay in the process. 

In response to the further request from Councillor Dunbar for an update on the remodelling of dementia services, the Provider Services Manager advised that the Flintshire integrated Health and Social Care dementia action plan aimed to take forward seven key themes and reported on the work that had been taken place over the last year.  She explained that the outcomes of the action plan would make a difference to people living with dementia by removing the loneliness and stigma attached to it.

Councillor Andy Dunbobbin spoke in support of the Dementia training provided  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

(a)       That Members are assured that older people’s needs are adequately and

            appropriately considered at all levels within the Local Authority; and

(b)       That Members welcomed the content of the update and agree future

            annual updates on progress against the Ageing Well in Flintshire plan

The Chief Officer (Social Services) introduced a report on the Local Authority’s response to the Older People’s Strategy and a number of associated developments.  He introduced Karen Chambers, Well Being and Partnership Lead, and invited her to present the report.

The Well Being and Partnership Lead, provided background information and referred to the key considerations which were detailed in the report.  She reported that a significant development at local level was the development of an Ageing Well in Flintshire Plan as part of a national approach led by the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales.  Whilst the Ageing Well in Flintshire Plan would build on work that the Authority was doing and outlined what it would need to do with partners for the betterment of people’s wellbeing as they aged, it would also lead to benefits for individuals and communities across their life course.     The Plan was being developed with input from colleagues from across the Council who would be instrumental in ensuring that the commitments made could be realised.

The Cabinet Member for Social Services paid tribute to the “good” work taking place for older people across Flintshire and referred to the increase in the number of 50+ Groups.  She expressed her appreciation to Officers and their teams for their hard work and commitment.

Councillor Dave Mackie reiterated the Cabinet Member’s praise for 50+ Groups, however, he highlighted the challenges concerning a lack of volunteers and issues around transport.  He commented on the difficulties experienced by some older people travelling to Group meetings and events.

RESOLVED

 (a)      That Members are assured that older people’s needs are adequately and

            appropriately considered at all levels within the Local Authority; and

(b)       That Members welcomed the content of the update and agree future

            annual updates on progress against the Ageing Well in Flintshire plan

(a)       That having regard to the outcome of the consultation, the Committee endorses the intention to proceed with Option 2, to transfer the service to a new organisation; and

(b)       That  the Committee agrees that Option 3 – transfer of day care to other Local Authority Day Centres, will also be used, as governed by the choice of service users.

The Chief Officer (Social Services) introduced a report on the outcome of the consultation in order for the Committee to consider and comment on it.   He provided background information and commented that every effort had been made to consult with user services and their families.  The Chief Officer introduced Susie Lunt, Provider Services Manager, and invited her to give an overview of the key points around the consultation exercise.  

The Provider Services Manager advised that formal consultation had taken place with two events held on 3 and 4 February 2015. She explained that in addition to group consultations, face to face consultations had been held and written communications received from service users and their families.  She outlined the four options under consideration and reported on the outcomes of the consultation which were summarised in the report.  She advised that Option 1 had been fully supported, and that Option 2 was the second favoured option.  She advised that it was a requirement for the service users and their families that Option 2 would need to accommodate all service users within any new premises.

During discussion the Provider Services Manager responded to the questions and concerns raised by Members.  She explained that the Melrose Centre building had deteriorated and was in need of significant capital funding to make ‘fit for purpose’ in the future and therefore in view of the current financial restraints was on longer considered a realistic option.

The Chair expressed concerns around access to transport and associated cost for service users who wished to access day services in  other areas.  She asked that this be looked at sympathetically so that service users were not disadvantaged as a result of travelling costs.  The Provider Services Manager advised that a transport policy was in place and that applications for assistance would be treated sympathetically.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That having regard to the outcome of the consultation, the Committee endorses the intention to proceed with Option 2, to transfer the service to a new organisation; and

(b)       That  the Committee agrees that Option 3 – transfer of day care to other Local Authority Day Centres, will also be used, as governed by the choice of service users.

That the updates be received.

Councillors David Wisinger and Christine Jones, Cabinet Member for Social Services, reported on their visit to Double-Click which was based in Deeside.  Both spoke in support of their visit which had been enjoyable and said very positive outcomes were being achieved.  The Chief Officer (Social Services) advised that Double Click had been recommended to Gwenda Thomas, Assembly Minister and former Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services, as an example of social enterprise.  

Councillors David Wisinger and Christine Jones also provided positive feedback on their visit to Tri Ffordd.  They reported that the issue of lack of access to Wifi had been raised and asked if any support could be provided with this.  The Chief Officer (Social Services) agreed to raise the matter with the I.T. section and report back to the Committee.  

RESOLVED:

That the updates be received.

(a)       That the Forward Work Programme as submitted be approved, with the removal of the Melrose item from 18 June 2015 which had already been considered; and

(b)       That the Committee notes the Corporate Parenting training to be held on 9 June 2015 at 9.30a.m.

The Member Engagement Manager introduced a report to enable the Committee to consider the Forward Work Programme.

The Member Engagement Manager advised that as the Terms of Reference for the Committee had remained unchanged the Forward Work Programme was also unchanged, except for the removal of the item on the Melrose Centre which was considered at today’s meeting.   He reminded Members that the next meeting of the Committee to be held  on 4 June 2015 would be a joint meeting with the Education and Youth Overview & Scrutiny Committee.  

Councillor Christine Jones took the opportunity to inform Members that training on Corporate Parenting was to be held on 9 June 2015 at 9.30. a.m. 

RESOLVED:

 (a)      That the Forward Work Programme as submitted be approved, with the removal of the Melrose item from 18 June 2015 which had already been considered; and

(b)       That the Committee notes the Corporate Parenting training to be held on 9 June 2015 at 9.30a.m.

There was one member of the press and no members of the public in attendance.