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, there were no declarations made pertaining to the agenda.

To receive the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on the 21^st November 2022 as an accurate record.

The Cabinet RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 21^st November 2022 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

To receive the updated Leader’s Scheme of Delegation for information.

The Cabinet RESOLVED to note the updated Scheme of Delegation.

To receive the report of the Group Director, Community and Children’s Services, which provides the Cabinet with preferred options on the future provision of accommodation for older people in each of the Council’s nine residential care homes and seeks approval to consult, where relevant, with the current residents and their families, staff and other stakeholders to enable the Cabinet to make informed decisions on the preferred options for each home.

The Director of Adult Services provided Members with the preferred options on the future provision of accommodation with care for older people in each of the Council’s nine residential care homes and seeks approval to consult, where relevant, with the current residents and their families, staff and other stakeholders to enable the Cabinet to make informed decisions on the preferred options for each home. The Director also provided the Cabinet with the comments and feedback of the Overview and Scrutiny 2022-2027 Committee following its consideration of the report at the meeting held on 29^th November 2022.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care thanked the Director for the comprehensive report and was pleased to note the opportunity for further investment in residential care for older people, despite the current financial climate. The Cabinet Member felt that the proposals would provide a positive pathway to ensure dignity and respect in old age, with modern extra care homes, which would include provision for complex needs and support for those with learning disabilities in adulthood. The Cabinet Member voiced his support for the proposals and was of the view that they would enhance the health and wellbeing for older people in RCT. The Cabinet Member concluded by thanking the Scrutiny Committee for its valuable comments and expressed that he looked forward to receiving the results of the public consultation, should the report be approved.

The Deputy Leader spoke of the surplus of beds in some of the existing residential facilities and commented that the current provision did not meet the standards required. The Deputy Leader expressed that the Councils must change with the times and explained that the new high-end facilities would provide greater choice for older people, including married couples who sometimes must be separated as the facilities are not available. The Deputy Leader also took the opportunity to thank the Scrutiny Committee for the work undertaken in respect of the proposals.

The Leader spoke of the significant package of investment and as a Local Member for Mountain Ash was pleased to note the proposal for a facility in the ward which would be a mixture of residential, dementia and extra care; and the similar packages offered for both Treorchy and Ferndale. The Leader also spoke of the package offered for the South of the Borough, which would repurpose homes for people with supported needs and explained that a similar model had been a success in both the Cynon and Rhondda.

The Leader spoke of the direction of change in older people accommodation and the fact that the pandemic had accelerated the need for the Council to meet the needs. It was explained that many people prefer to be supported at home, and that those in a residential setting often need a higher level of support.

In respect of the process, the Leader assured Members that meetings were taking place with staff and Trade Unions to discuss any concerns. In terms of the residents, the Leader made it clear that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 87.

“That the press and public be excluded from the meeting under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act (as amended) for the following items of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of the exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of the Schedule 12A of the Act”.

It was RESOLVEDthat the press and public be excluded from the meeting under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act (as amended) for the following items of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of the exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of the Schedule 12A of the Act.

To receive the report of the Director of Finance and Digital Services, which provides the position statement on irrecoverable debts and identifies the requirement to write-off certain amounts in accordance with strict review criteria.

Following the consideration of the report of the Director, Finance and Digital Services containing exempt information as defined in Paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972 (as amended), namely information relating to the financial affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information), Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    to write-off the accounts set out in the attached schedule to the appropriate Bad Debt Provision contained within the Council’s accounts (if further information on any debt becomes available, payment will be pursued).