Agenda, decisions and minutes

To advise the Committee of the nominated Chair for the remainder of the municipal year, following the County Council meeting on 4 December 2024.

That the appointment of Councillor Sam Swash as Chair of the Committee for the remaining 2024/25 municipal year be noted.

RESOLVED:

That the appointment of Councillor Sam Swash as Chair of the Committee for the remaining 2024/25 municipal year be noted.

To appoint a Vice-Chair for the Committee.

That Councillor Gladys Healey be appointed Vice-Chair for the remaining 2024/25 municipal year.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Gladys Healey be appointed Vice-Chair for the remaining 2024/25 municipal year.

To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

No declarations of interest were made.

No declarations of interest were made.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 5 September, 2024.

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

The minutes (agenda item number 5) of the meetings held on 5^th September 2024 were presented for approval.

RESOLVED:

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

(a)       That the Forward Work Programme be noted;

(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 Committee notes the progress made in completing the outstanding actions.

The Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator presented the current Forward Work Programme (agenda item number 6) for consideration, which included an update on outstanding actions.

It was agreed that the report on the Re-Commissioning of Carers Services be moved to the February meeting and that a visit to the new NEWCIS Centre in Mold be undertaken prior to that meeting.  

Members were advised that the Climbie visit was in the process of being arranged for January/February.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Forward Work Programme be noted;

(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 Committee notes the progress made in completing the outstanding actions.

(a)       That Members review and comment on the Social Services portfolio’s cost pressures; and

(b)       That the Committee were assured that the cost pressures were an essential requirement for the 2025/26 budget and that there was no scope to remove/defer them to assist with dealing with the budget challenge.

The Corporate Finance Manager presented a report (agenda item number 7)

for Members to review and comment on cost pressures under the remit of the Committee.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That Members review and comment on the Social Services portfolio’s cost pressures; and

(b)       That the Committee were assured that the cost pressures were an essential requirement for the 2025/26 budget and that there was no scope to remove/defer them to assist with dealing with the budget challenge.

(a)       That members consider the Wales Audit report and the measures being taken regionally and locally to implement the recommendations made; and

(b)       That members note that the Government and Audit Committee was updated on progress in addressing the recommendations made.

The Service Manager, Older People presented a report (agenda item number 8)  for members to consider the Wales Audit report and the measures taken regionally and locally to implement any recommendations made.

The Chief Officer (Social Services) agreed to share action plans as requested by Councillor Copple and that a further update report would be provided in July 2025.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That members consider the Wales Audit report and the measures being taken regionally and locally to implement the recommendations made; and

(b)       That members note that the Government and Audit Committee was updated on progress in addressing the recommendations made.

(a)       That members support the actions being taken to develop the Framework of Support as part of a range of transformational projects that would be required to develop sustainable social services; and

(b)       That members endorse associated actions needed to respond to demand pressures and support domiciliary and residential care budget pressures.

The Chief Officer (Social Services) presented a report (agenda number item 9)

for Members to support changes to the financial assessment and charging for Domiciliary Care and Residential Care Services.

In response to a question raised by Councillor Owen the Senior Manager – Safeguarding and Commissioning agreed to provide members with a link to Dewis Cymru where a comprehensive list of services, organisations and events that support individuals within their community could be found.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That members support the actions being taken to develop the Framework of Support as part of a range of transformational projects that would be required to develop sustainable social services; and

(b)       That members endorse associated actions needed to respond to demand pressures and support domiciliary and residential care budget pressures.

That Members acknowledge and support the work being undertaken by the Financial Assessment and Charging Team in delivering services to the residents of Flintshire.

The Senior Manager – Safeguarding and Commissioning presented a report (agenda item number 10)  to provide Members with information regarding the work undertaken within the Financial Assessment and Charging Team.

RESOLVED:

That Members acknowledge and support the work being undertaken by the Financial Assessment and Charging Team in delivering services to the residents of Flintshire.

(a)       That members accept the proposal contained within the report; and

(b)       That Members determine the process to achieve political support for the proposal.

The Senior Manager – Safeguarding and Commissioning introduced the report and the Service Manager Disability Services presented the report (agenda item number 11)  for members to  consider a proposal to cease an integrated CMHT partnership with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. 

RESOLVED:

(a)       That members accept the proposal contained within the report; and

(b)       That Members determine the process to achieve political support for the proposal.

That Members acknowledge and support the progress made in implementing the action plan.

The Chief Officer (Social Services), Senior Manager – Safeguarding and Commissioning and Senior Manager – Children presented the report (agenda item number 12) to update members on the progress of implementing the resulting action plan

RESOLVED:

That Members acknowledge and support the progress made in implementing the action plan.

That Social and Health Care Overview & Scrutiny Committee noted the outcome of the report and supported the resulting Action Plan.

The Senior Manager – Children presented the report (agenda item number 13)

outlining the strengths and challenges from the newly established Safeguarding Hub.

RESOLVED:

That Social and Health Care Overview & Scrutiny Committee noted the outcome of the report and supported the resulting Action Plan.

(a)       That Members review progress in implementing the Mockingbird model in Flintshire and noted the associated achievements including securing placement stability for looked after children; and

(b)       That Members supported a detailed valuation of impact and benefits realisation when the programme had reached full implementation in 2025.

The Senior Manager – Children presented the report (agenda item number 14)

to update members on the progress of the implementation of the Mockingbird model of care and agreed to provide members with an analysis of outcomes comparing Mockingbird placements.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That Members review progress in implementing the Mockingbird model in Flintshire and noted the associated achievements including securing placement stability for looked after children; and

(b)       That Members supported a detailed valuation of impact and benefits realisation when the programme had reached full implementation in 2025.

That Members acknowledged and supported the work being undertaken to support the social care workforce through learning & development opportunities.

The Senior Manager – Safeguarding and Commissioning presented the report (agenda item number 15)  to update Members on the work undertaken by the Social Services Workforce Development Team over the past 12 months, including details relating to recruitment activity in Social Services

RESOLVED:

That Members acknowledged and supported the work being undertaken to support the social care workforce through learning & development opportunities.

None.

None.