Agenda and minutes

To receive disclosures of personal interest from Members in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

Note:

1.     Members are requested to identify the item number and subject matter that their interest relates to and signify the nature of the personal interest; and

2.     Where Members withdraw from a meeting as a consequence of the disclosure of a prejudicial interest they must  notify the Chairman when they leave.

In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, County Borough Councillor W Jones declared the following personal interest in respect of agenda item 3:

“ My mother attends Ystradfechan Care home for respite”.

To receive the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on the 18^th July 2019 as an accurate record.

The Cabinet RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 18^th July 2019 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

To receive the report of the Group Director, Community & Children’s Services providing Members with the outcome of the consultation undertaken in respect of the Council’s residential care homes and day care provision, including the recommendations of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, following pre-scrutiny on the 22^nd July 2019.

The Group Director, Community & Children’s Services provided Members with a comprehensive overview of the report before them, providing detailed information in relation to the consultation undertaken on the proposals, the rationale for the proposals on both a local and national level and the findings and suggested recommendations to be taken forward, regarding the future provision of the Council’s residential care homes and day services in light of the consultation feedback received.

The Group Director spoke of the need for the Council to review the residential care home and day care provision that it delivers internally as part of the modernisation of the future long term care it commissions for older people.  He added that doing nothing in respect of each proposal was not a viable option and without exploring the potential for re-designing the way that adult care was provided, it would not be possible to meet people’s changing expectations and increasing demand within the resources available.  This recognition for the need to change was also highlighted by the Care Inspectorate Wales.

The Group Director referenced the positive investment already taken forward across the County Borough with the Councils Extra Care facilities and the benefits that such provision provided, allowing residents to live independently, although accessing a package of care if and when required.

In respect of day care services it was noted that while the service provision remains popular among the people that use them and provides essential respite for carers, attendance at older people’s day centres has shown a decline over recent years, with the Group Director commenting that the provision no longer represents the most effective response to meeting people’s needs.

The Group Director reported on the consultation undertaken over a period from 14th January 2019 to 8th April 2019, following a decision by Cabinet on the 21^st November 2018 in respect of the preferred options for the future service delivery model for the Council's residential care homes and day care services within Rhondda Cynon Taf.  Members were advised that the results of the feedback were also subject to scrutiny at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on the 22^nd July, with the comments from which forming part of the report, to assist Members in their deliberations.

Members were referred to sections seven and eight of the report, which, following consideration of the consultation feedback and the views of Overview & Scrutiny, provided an outline of the preferred options for future service delivery model for the council’s residential care homes and day care services for older people.

Before concluding his review the Group Director advised of the timely discussions taken forward with staff and Trade Unions throughout the process to date adding that if the proposals were taken forward then a phased approach would be taken forward in respect of the decommissioning of services.  He also reinforced the message that the review undertaken was necessitated due to the need for change and to take forward the modernisation agenda and not due to austerity measures.

The Cabinet  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

To receive the report of the Group Director for Prosperity, Development and Frontline Services providing the Cabinet with an update on the recent consultation in regard to  Gelli Community Recycling Centre.

The Group Director for Prosperity, Development and Frontline Services provided Members with an overview of the consultation responses received in respect of the proposal to close Gelli Community recycling Centre.

Members were reminded of the rationale for the proposal with the Group Director advising that due to the size of the centre, the limited access and poor parking arrangements, the centre was unable to provide the same service as the other six Community recycling centres based in the County Borough.  He added that the centre had also been subjected to a high number of break-ins over the last 5years and had been the target of vandalism - as such the level of services it was able to offer residents was greatly reduced and less cost effective than other sites.  The current usage of the Gelli site was also far less than both Treherbert and Dinas.

Members were advised that a Consultation took place between the 8th July and the 5th August with eleven written responses received and a broad summary of the responses were presented to Members.

The Cabinet Member for Environment, Leisure & Heritage Services spoke of the issues affecting the Gelli site and the negative impact this was having on users, with staff having to turn residents away.  The Cabinet Member also referenced the usage with  on average Gelli taking CRC taking in 100ton per month, whilst Treherbert averages over 400ton and Dinas 700t per month.  The Cabinet Member commented that if the proposal was taken forward then due to the other facilities in a short distance the impact of users would be minimal.  She added that even with the closure the service provided would  still exceed the recommended number of CRC’s per household.

The Leader and Deputy Leader also commented on the proposal and the consultation results noting the provisions that were still available and the reasonable travelling distance between the current sites.  The Leader also commented upon the investment recently taken forward with some of the other sites within the County Borough for the benefit of residents.

Following discussions it was RESOLVED:

1.    That following consideration of the consultation responses and the information provided to Members to the closure of the Gelli Recycling Centre.

To receive the report of the Group Director Community & Children’s Services outlining the Annual Report for 2018/19 for the Cwm Taf Safeguarding Board.

The Group Director, Community & Children’s Services provided Members with the Cwm Taf Safeguarding Board Annual Report, which looked to demonstrate the Boards effectiveness in exercising its functions during the 2018/19 financial year.

Members were provide with details in respect of safeguarding practices, collaboration, engagement, participation and communication, information, training and learning, as set out within the report.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Community Services & Welsh Language spoke positively on the report and the work being undertaken in respect of Safeguarding.  These comments were also reiterated by the Cabinet Member for Children & Young People in respect of the  work undertaken by the Board for Children & Adults.

It was RESOLVED:

1.    To note and endorse the content of the Cwm Taf Safeguarding Board Annual Report for 2018/19.

N.B During consideration of this item, County Borough Councillor L Jones left the meeting.

To receive the report of the Director of Legal Services advising Cabinet of the publication of the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales’ (‘PSOW’) Annual Report and Annual Letter to this Council for 2018-2019.

The Director of Legal Services provided Cabinet Members with the details of the publication of the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales’ (‘PSOW’) Annual Report and Annual Letter to Rhondda Cynon Taf Council for 2018-2019.

In addition, Members were provided with a brief overview of the new powers attributed to the Public Services Ombudsman through the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2019, which included allowing the PSOW to undertake own initiative investigations when required in the public interest.

Whilst going through the Annual report Members were provided with a general summary of complaints received and acted upon by the Ombudsman before the Director advised of the position in respect of RCT.  Members learnt that during 2018-2019 36 complaints (for periods 2017/2018 – 36 and 2016/2017 – 47) were received by the PSOW relating to RCT. Adjusted for population the average expected to be received by the PSOW for a local authority the size of Rhondda Cynon Taf would be 68, and the Director added that this figure compares favourably. Zero complaints were investigated by the PSOW against an average (adjusted for population size) of 2 Wales wide.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Council Business spoke positively of the report and its findings in respect of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and also referenced the new powers available to the Ombudsman Office in respect of the 2019 Act and how these would be used going forward.

It was RESOLVED:

1.    To note the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales’ Annual Report and Annual Letter to RCTCBC Council 2018-2019.

To receive the report of the Service Director, Democratic Services & Communication providing Members with the Annual report of the Corporate Parenting Board.

The Service Director Democratic Services and Communication presented Members with the Annual Report of the Corporate Parenting Board for 2018/19, as required under the Leaders Scheme of Delegation.

As Chair of the Corporate Parenting Board, the Cabinet Member for Children & Young People commented on the report and the work undertaken by the Board during the year commenting on the aspirations within the plan and positive working relationship with Scrutiny. The Cabinet Member thanked the Members and Officers for their commitment and work over the Municipal Year.

It was RESOLVED:

1.    To note the Corporate Parenting Board Annual Report 2018/19.

To receive the report of the Service Director, Democratic Services & Communication providing Cabinet Members with an update on the proposed list of matters requiring consideration by Cabinet over the 2019-20 Municipal Year.

The Service Director of Democratic Services and Communication  provided Cabinet Members with a draft work programme for the 2019-20 Municipal Year, which listed matters requiring consideration by Cabinet.  The Service Director commented that utilising the programme assists with openness and transparency of the decision making process within the Council and gives greater opportunity for Pre-Scrutiny.

Members were referred to Appendix 1 of the report and were advised that the programme is a live document to allow for any additional / deletion of reports throughout the year .  The Service Director added that the consultation outcomes in respect of residential care, as earlier agreed by Members at the days meeting would be added to the work programme going forward.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Council Business welcomed the programme. It was RESOLVED:

1.    To approve the Cabinet Work Programme for the 2019-20 Municipal Year and to receive a further update on a 3 monthly basis

To receive the amendments to the Leader’s Scheme of Delegation for the 2019-20 Municipal Year, namely:-.

·         Change in Membership to the Corporate Parenting Board – Cllr E.M.Griffiths to replace Cllr L Jones.

Members noted the updated Leaders Scheme of Delegation for the 2019-20 Municipal Year.