Agenda and minutes

The Chair took the opportunity to welcome Members and Officers to the first meeting of the Health & Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee for the Municipal Year 2021/2022.

The Chair also thanked Members who had previously sat on the Committee for their time and input into the previous year’s work and wished them well in the future.

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.

Information is provided in respect of relevant consultations for consideration by the Committee.

The Chair referenced the consultation links, which were available through the RCT Scrutiny website. Members were reminded that information is provided in respect of relevant consultations for consideration by the Committee which are circulated on a monthly basis. Member RESOLVED to note the information conatined.

To consider and agree the Draft Health and Wellbeing Work Programme 2021 – 2022.

The Service Director Democratic Services and Communications presented Members of the Health & Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee with a Draft Work Programme for the 2021/2022 Municipal Year.

Members were reminded that the Scrutiny Work Programmes have a reduced number of meetings for this Municipal Year to allow for the work to be timetabled with the best use of resources available and will allow for a more flexible approach to recognise the needs of emerging priorities and provide opportunities for Working Groups and training when required.

Member discussed the Work Programme and after further consideration RESOLVED to   

·         Agree the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Work Programme for the Municipal Year

·         Agree to review the Work Programme at regular intervals to ensure the items identified for inclusion are relevant and that any additional referrals are incorporated.  

To consider the Director of Social Services Draft Annual Report (Pre- Scrutiny)

The Group Director Community and Children’s Services explained to Members that the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 in Part 8 A Code of Practice states that the Directors of Social Service must prepare and publish an annual report about the exercise of the Local Authority’s social services functions and that this report must be published as soon as reasonably practicable after the end of the financial year.

The Group Director along with the Director of Children’s Service with aid of a Power –Point presentation presented Members with some of the key priorities for both Adult and Children’s Services:

·         Overview of performance;

·         Response to the Covid -19 pandemic;

·           Impact on staff, Carers, adult in needing support, etc.

·          How are people shaping our services;

·         What did we plan to do in 2020- 21

·         Key Quality measurers;

·         Complaint and Compliments;

·         Welsh Language

·         Promoting and improving the wellbeing of people we help.

·         Key Priorities for 2021/ 2022

The Chair thanked the Group Director Community and Children’s Services for a very comprehensive report and presentation and opened up the meeting for Members questions and observations.

Members thanked the Group Director, Officers and staff and volunteers across Rhondda Cynon Taf for all their hard work and commitment over the last 18 months. A Member asked what impact has been had on the Stay Well @ Home Service during the pandemic and where are we now.

In response the Group Director explained that Stay Well @ Home Service has two aspects, “Stay Well@ Home1” which is focused the hospital discharge and has worked well throughout the pandemic. “Stay Well @ Home 2” link to enhancing the single point of access and extending access out of hours services. Some of this project had to be put on hold during the height of the pandemic and is slowly being reintroduced however it is too early to say the result of the project, we will bring information back in the future. Other projects had been put on hold also such as the mobile responders but have now been successfully implemented.

A Member commented on the work of the carers and stated that the work has been exceptional and they have gone above and beyond the Member gave an example of the work that has been carried out by carers. The Member also wanted to highlight that the Members helpline has proved an excellent service during this time.

 In respect of Adult Safeguard there had been 7% increase in referrals is this due to a better referral process, the Member continued and raised concerns in relation to the financial pressures on the service and wanted to know what plans are in place to deal with these pressure with our increasing elderly population.

In response the Group Director explained that in relation to safeguarding figure he did not have the information to hand but explained that there is greater awareness and this is a contributing factor.  With regards to the financial pressures the Group Director explained that there is some  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider the finding letter from Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) of their assurance Check of the Council’s Social Services.

The Group Director Community and Children’s Services explained to Members of the Health and Wellbeing Committee that back in March 2020 CIW suspended its routine programme of inspections in response to the Covid – 19 pandemic to enable local authorities to focus their attention on responding to the challenging circumstances of the pandemic. He continued to explain that in September 2020 a revised programme of assurance checks were recommended.

The Group Director continued to explain that the Council has received a summary of findings of the assurance check undertaken on the 24^th to 26^th May 2021. Members were informed that the assurance check considered safety and well-being of people who use or may need to use services, the safety of services the access and the safety and wellbeing of people working in the service, which key lines of enquiry were focused on the four principles of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014.

Members were pleased to see that the findings letter identified many strengths across the Services and put forward questions and observation relating to recruitment and retention along with wanting clarity on how the services can work to reduce waiting times.

Members RESOLVED to acknowledge the report and agreed to consider the action plan in its September’s meeting in discussion with the Cabinet Member for Adult Services.

To reflect on the meeting and actions to be taken forward.

The Chair thanked Members and Officers for their in put to this evening’s meeting and explained that he is looking forward to carrying out in - depth work with the Committee over the next 12 months.

To consider any items, which the Chairman, by reason of special circumstances, is of the opinion should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency