Agenda, decisions and minutes

Councillors C.M. Jones (Cabinet Member for Social Services), A. Davies-Cooke, H.J. McGuill, and D.E. Wisinger declared an interest as they were Members of the Children’s Forum.  Councillor McGuill also indicated that she was on the Stakeholder Group for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.  

Nominations will be sought for a Vice-Chair for the Committee

That Councillor C. Hinds be Vice-Chair for the Committee.

The Chair sought nominations for the appointment of Vice-Chair for the Committee.  Councillor D.E. Wisinger nominated Councillor C. Hinds and Councillor A. Davies-Cooke nominated Councillor H.J. McGuill.  Both nominations were seconded.  On being put to the vote, the nomination of Councillor C. Hinds for Vice-Chair was carried.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor C. Hinds be Vice-Chair for the Committee.  

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meetings held on 8^th March 2012 and 29^th March 2012.

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

The minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on 8 March 2012 and 29 March 2012 had been circulated to Members with the agenda.

Matters Arising – 8 March 2012

            Councillor H.J. McGuill referred to page 4 and asked whether the information requested by Members on Looked After Children had been issued.  The Learning and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Facilitator advised that the information on Looked After Children was still being worked on and would be circulated to Members shortly. 

Matters Arising – 29 March 2012

            Councillor D.I. Mackie referred to the first paragraph on page 10 and said that he recalled that the issue of a problem with recruiting midwives had also been raised.  Councillor V. Gay confirmed that this had been discussed. 

            Councillor P. Shotton referred to the first paragraph on page 12 and sought assurance that cross border working would continue.  The Chair said that the issue had been raised at the previous Committee meeting but that the Health Board had not provided an answer.  She suggested that a representative from Countess of Chester Hospital be asked to attend a future meeting of the Committee. 

            On minute number 94 on rota visits, Councillor McGuill asked if a new list would be sent to Members.  Following a discussion, it was confirmed that new lists would be prepared and a suggestion put forward by Councillor McGuill that new Members work with an experienced Member for rota visits was agreed.  The Director of Community Services referred to the visit by Councillor D. MacFarlane detailed on page 14 and explained that a follow up visit had been undertaken and that the issues raised had been addressed.  It was agreed that an update would be provided and circulated to the Members on the Committee.     

RESOLVED:

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

That the report be noted.

The Learning and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Facilitator introduced a report to inform the Committee of its Terms of Reference, set in the context of Terms of Reference of all the Overview & Scrutiny Committees. 

                        Members were advised that a similar report was being submitted to all six functional Overview and Scrutiny Committees to inform them of the remit of each Committee.  The Terms of Reference were attached as Appendix 1 to the report and paragraph 2.02 identified the role and functions of the Committees.  Specific Overview & Scrutiny training sessions had been arranged for 22 May, 6 and 7 June 2012 to which all Members of the Council were invited. 

                        The Facilitator invited the Director of Community Services to provide a brief presentation of the services provided by the Community Services Directorate. 

            RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

(i)                 That the Forward Work Programme for 2 July and 26 July 2012 be amended to reflect the suggestions made; and

(ii)               That a Forward Work Programme workshop be scheduled for after 26 July 2012 to decide the items for consideration at future meetings.

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

            The Facilitator referred to paragraph 3.02 where the outstanding items from the previous meeting were detailed.  She suggested that items be identified for consideration at the June and July 2012 meetings of the Committee and that a workshop be arranged to determine the issues for future consideration.  Following discussion with the Chair and Cabinet Member, it had been suggested that the meeting scheduled for 28 June 2012 be rearranged and be held on 2 July 2012.     

            Councillor H.J. McGuill requested that the Charging for Adult Social Care Transport Policy be revisited as soon as possible.  The Director of Community Services indicated that a report on the issue could be submitted to Committee which would provide a detailed update on the progress made and the implications on the service user and further information of what needed to be undertaken.  Councillor McGuill said that the issue should be revisited and that providing an update was not sufficient.  The Chair advised that an update report could provide the basis for the issue to be reviewed.  The Deputy Leader said that the policy was a Cabinet function and that following concerns that had been raised, it would be revisited by Cabinet once they had the appropriate details.  The Director of Community Services said that the issue of consistency over charging would also be considered.  The Cabinet Member for Social Services confirmed that the issue would be re-looked at and an update would be brought back to Committee.  It was requested that the Executive report on the Adult Social Care Transport Policy be sent to the new Members of the Committee. 

            Following a discussion, the Facilitator provided details of the items for consideration at the 2 July and 26July 2012 meetings:-

2 July 2012

1.         Update on the Adult Social Care Transport Policy

2.         Mental Health Measure

3.         Social Services Bill

4.         Quarter 4 and Year End Performance Report

26 July 2012

1.         North Wales Adoption Service

2.         Short Break Provision at Arosfa

3.         Children’s Integrated Disability Service/Direct Payments

 4.        Children’s Services Inspection report

            The Facilitator asked whether Members wanted on a Forward Work Programme workshop and it was suggested that one be arranged for after 26 July 2012 which was duly seconded.  It was further proposed that a workshop be held in early September 2012. 

RESOLVED:

(i)         That the Forward Work Programme for 2 July and 26 July 2012 be amended to reflect the above suggestions; and           

(ii)        That a Forward Work Programme workshop be scheduled for after 26 July 2012 to decide the items for consideration at future meetings. 

                        The meeting commenced at 2.00 p.m. and ended at 2.51 p.m.

                        There were 2 members of the public or press in attendance.