Agenda, decisions and minutes

At the Annual Meeting, Council determined that the Flintshire People’s Voice Group will chair this Committee. The Committee is advised that Councillor Sam Swash is the Chair of the Committee for the municipal year.

The Committee was advised that Councillor Sam Swash was nominated at the Chair of the Committee for the municipal year.

The Facilitator informed Committee that County Council had determined that the Flintshire People’s Voice Group would chair this Committee. The Committee was advised that Councillor Sam Swash was nominated at the Chair of the Committee for the municipal year.

Councillor Swash wished to place on record his thanks to the former Chair, Councillor Arnold Woolley.

RESOLVED:

That the appointment of Councillor Sam Swash as Chair of the Committee

be noted.

To appoint a Vice-Chair for the Committee.

That Councillor Gladys Healey be appointed a Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Councillor Marion Bateman proposed Councillor Debbie Owen. This was seconded by Councillor Dave Mackie.

Councillor Mel Buckley proposed Councillor Gladys Healey. This was seconded by Councillor Fran Lister.

On being put to the vote Councillor Gladys Healey was appointed.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Gladys Healey be appointed a Vice-Chair of the Committee.

To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

None were received.

None were received.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meetings held on 18 January and 9 February 2024.

That the minutes of the 18 January and 9 February 2024 be approved as a correct record.

The minutes of the meetings held on 18 January 2024 and 9 February 2024 were presented for approval.

Both sets of minutes were moved as approved.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the 18 January and 9 February 2024 be approved as a correct record.

(a)     That the Forward Work Programme 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 Committee notes the progress made in completing the outstanding actions.

The Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator presented the Committee’s current Forward Work Programme and Action Tracking Report for consideration and welcomed any questions from Members.

The recommendations within the report were supported.

RESOLVED:

(a)     That the Forward Work Programme 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 Committee notes the progress made in completing the outstanding actions.

(a)     That the Committee accept the report as relevant information in relation to Flintshire Safeguarding for the period 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024 and additional information provided;

(b)     That the Committee had due regard to the variety of activity across the Safeguarding Unit and the continuing development and improvement in service provision; and

(c)     That the Committee was satisfied that the Safeguarding Process for Adults and Children in Flintshire was robust.

The Safeguarding Unit and Service Manager introduced the report and provided an overview of the Safeguarding Unit, its statutory functions and the areas covered by the five services. Information was also provided on the Welsh Government (WG) funding, the collaborative working with Children’s Services and links with Regional Groups.

Following a question on assurances, the Senior Manager (Children’s and Workforce) suggested that a report outlining the strengths and challenges from the newly established Safeguarding Hub be added to the Committee’s Forward Work Programme.

The recommendations within the report were supported.

RESOLVED:

(a)     That the Committee accept the report as relevant information in relation to Flintshire Safeguarding for the period 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024 and additional information provided;

(b)     That the Committee had due regard to the variety of activity across the Safeguarding Unit and the continuing development and improvement in service provision; and

(c)     That the Committee was satisfied that the Safeguarding Process for Adults and Children in Flintshire was robust.

(a)     That the Committee note the progress made to develop age friendly communities in Flintshire including the successful application for membership of the World Health Organisation Global Network; and

(b)     That the Committee commit to the continued support and collaboration of all portfolio service teams to help develop Flintshire as a great place to live for the ageing population.

In presenting the report  the Wellbeing and Partnership Lead and Older People’s Strategy Co-Ordinator provided an update on the progress of the development of Age Friendly Communities in Flintshire.  A definition of Age Friendly Communities was provided together with an outline of how the focus of age friendly communities was shared with all departments and partners to ensure that it was considered when projects were being designed.

·                A request was made that BT were lobbied to request that a lower service rate be applied to low data users. This would enable older people to be able to afford to purchase Internet and Landline Services.

·                A request was made for the Dementia Bus to be made available to Members to experience the training provided.

·                A request was made for the Ageing Well Team to be invited to attend a Connah’s Quay Town Council meeting to discuss age friendly initiatives further.

The recommendations within the report were supported.

RESOLVED:

(a)     That the Committee note the progress made to develop age friendly communities in Flintshire including the successful application for membership of the World Health Organisation Global Network; and

(b)     That the Committee commit to the continued support and collaboration of all portfolio service teams to help develop Flintshire as a great place to live for the ageing population.

(a)     That the Committee note the information on the actions undertaken since the completion of the Internal Audit report; and

(b)     That the Committee was assured that the remaining actions were being undertaken within the timescales laid out in the audit report and that progress was being monitored effectively.

The Senior Manager (Safeguarding and Commissioning) introduced the report  which provided information on the Deferred Payments Scheme and the review undertaken by Internal Audit to ensure transparency, with overlaps with legal services and debt recovery services.  It was confirmed that an update report would be presented to Governance and Audit Committee later in the year.

Following a suggestion from a Member it was agreed that a report on Financial Assessments and Charges be added to the Forward Work Programme for a future meeting.

The recommendations within the report were supported.

RESOLVED:

(a)     That the Committee note the information on the actions undertaken since the completion of the Internal Audit report; and

(b)     That the Committee was assured that the remaining actions were being undertaken within the timescales laid out in the audit report and that progress was being monitored effectively.

That the Committee note the content of the Draft Social Services Director’s Annual Report 2023/24 and provide feedback to Officers ahead of consideration of the final presentation of the report at the 16 July 2024 Committee meeting.

The Chief Officer (Social Services) presented the Annual Report which outlined the state of the service, highlighted positive and challenging aspects and set the priorities for the year ahead.  He welcomed feedback from Members which would be considered before the final draft was developed.

The recommendation within the report was supported.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee note the content of the Draft Social Services Director’s Annual Report 2023/24 and provide feedback to Officers ahead of consideration of the final presentation of the report at the 16 July 2024 Committee meeting.

(a) That the Committee note the outcome of the report; and

(b) That the Committee support the resulting action plan. 

The Chief Officer (Social Services) explained that the Action Plan was in response to the Performance Evaluation Inspection report.  Specific sections of the report were highlighted to committee with the Chief Officer commenting that this was a positive report on the state of the service which was well supported within Flintshire with many of the proposed developments endorsed by the Inspector.

The Chair commented that as this was the Chief Officer’s last meeting, he formally moved that a vote of thanks be given to Neil for his service.

The recommendations within the report were supported.

RESOLVED:

(a) That the Committee note the outcome of the report; and

(b) That the Committee support the resulting action plan.

None.