Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed Members to the first virtual meeting of the Cwm Taf Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee of the 2020/21 Municipal Year.

Members of the JOSC are reminded that, as set out within its terms of reference, their core statutory functions include:-

•     To review or scrutinise the decisions made or actions taken by Board;

•     To review or scrutinise the Board’s governance arrangements;

•     To make reports or recommendations to the Board regarding its functions or governance arrangements;

•     To consider matters relating to the Board as the Welsh Ministers may refer to it and report to the Welsh Ministers accordingly; and

•     To carry out other functions in relation to the Board that are imposed on it by the Well-Being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

The Chair asked Members to note the 5 core statutory functions of the Cwm Taf Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

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

Note:

1.       Members are requested to identify the item number and subject 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 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 approve, as an accurate record, the minutes of the meeting held on the 11^th September 2020.

It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 11^th September 2020 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

To update members on the Governance arrangements for the Cwm Taf PSB Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee and to agree a way forward for the JOSC.

The Service Director Democratic Services & Communications RCTCBC presented his report to Members and informed Members of the Governance arrangements for the Cwm Taf Public Service Board Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee and asked Members to agree a way forward for the 2020/21 Municipal Year.

Members were reminded that following the agreement to establish the Cwm Taf

Public Service Board Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee , Rhondda Cynon

Taf County Borough Council and Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council

agreed to undertake the administrative arrangements on a joint basis and

provide dedicated support and advisers for the JOSC for a period of one year

each, on a rotational basis respectively.

The Service Director advised Members that as a result of the COVID-19

pandemic and due to unforeseen pressures on Council resources, a review was

undertaken by senior officers from Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough

Council and Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council of the administrative

arrangements of the Cwm Taf Public Service Board Joint Overview & Scrutiny

Committee.

Members were told that following discussion amongst senior officers it was subsequently agreed that Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council would continue the role as the Host Authority for the 2020-21 Municipal Year and for a further review of the Administrative arrangements to take place at the end of the Municipal year.

Members were therefore asked to consider and review the Cwm Taf Public Service Board Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee Terms of Reference and to consider any further training requirements.

Following discussion, Members RESOLVED:

1.     To note that Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, as the host Authority,  will undertake the Scrutiny arrangements of the Cwm Taf Public Service Board Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee during the 2020-21 Municipal Year; and,

2.     To approve the Cwm Taf Public Service Board Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee Terms of Reference

1.     To appoint a Chair of the Cwm Taf Public Services Board Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee for the Municipal Year 2020 – 2021; and,

2.     To appoint a Vice Chair of the Cwm Taf Public Services Board oint Overview & Scrutiny Committee for the Municipal Year 2020 – 2021.

Following discussion, Members RESOLVED:

1.     To appoint Councillor Bonetto as Chair of the Cwm Taf Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the 2020/21 Municipal Year; and,

2.     To appoint Councillor Skinner as Vice Chair of the Cwm Taf Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the 2020/21 Municipal Year.

For Members of the Cwm Taf PSB Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee to consider the Forward Work Programme for the 2020/21 Municipal Year.

The Service Director of Democratic Services & Communications gave an overview to Members in respect of the Cwm Taf Joint Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme 2020/21.

The Service Director set out the context and pressures Council Services are currently operating within as it focusses on the impact of the pandemic and its associated plans for response and recovery. The Service Director went on to emphasise that the Committee will need to be mindful of these ongoing pressures and that Members are asked to acknowledge the balance required for a flexible and supportive scrutiny work programme. 

Members were advised that the forward work programme sets out a manageable and realistic programme of scrutiny activity, allowing for the more pressing matters to be considered whilst having the flexibility to respond to emerging issues.

Members were reminded that given the current climate, the forward work programme priorities may be subject to change should other specific business need to be considered by the Committee.

Following discussion, Members RESOLVED to acknowledge the contents of the proposed draft Cwm Taf Joint Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme 2020/21   

To receive Mr Mark Brace, Chair of the Community Impact Assessment Group (https://sway.office.com/akVIQ2L0Ahn4Z5zy) and Vice Chair of the PSB, who will provide the Committee with a progress update on the PSB in terms of response and recovery and the work of the Community Impact Assessment.

The Chair welcomed Mr Mark Brace to the Committee and advised Members about his role as Chair of the Community Impact Assessment Group and Vice Chair of the Public Service Board (PSB). 

Mr Brace thanked Members of the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee for inviting him as the new Vice-Chair to give a progress update on the PSB in terms of response and recovery and the work of the Community Impact Assessment.

Members were reminded that Councillor O’Neill gave an overview of the second year of the PSB at Scrutiny’s last meeting, held on the 11 September 2020.

Mr Brace continued to remind Members that the planned delivery of the Well-being Objectives, ACEs and Live Lab development and broader work against the Well-being of Future Generations Act was obviously greatly impacted by the flooding following Storms Ciara and Dennis, and then the pandemic.

Mr Brace emphasised that key questions remain relevant:

·       How are we making a positive difference in our communities; and,

·       Are our mechanisms for delivery right, and are they working

The Board last met on 20 October, and the was mostly focused on work started or planned in context of Covid-19 and recovery particularly around the Community Impact Assessment, work with the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES) and grant funding opportunities from Natural Resources Wales.

In respect of response and recovery, Members were informed that PSB Members were each invited to the Community Impact Assessment Group to give an update on how each organisation had been impacted and managed through the first wave of the pandemic  and beyond. Mr Brace noted the following points:

·       SPB had already identified some concerns around staff capacity, pressure on resources, the need for clear communication and promotion of behavioural changes. The group also expressed concerns over the rising number and risks of suicides, deteriorating mental health and well-being and how-to best harness and support community groups, created or re-purposed during the first wave, which were now unclear in their role.

·       The Board expressed its thanks for the incredible effort made by staff across all organisations, and the speed at which systems had been put in place to move quickly and with purpose, particularly across the summer and being able to put in place the Test, Trace and Protect system.

·       The group also acknowledged that any moves towards mass testing or vaccination would need to be sensitive to our communities and working with them would be crucial.

·       The learnings from the Community Impact Assessment would be a valuable tool for teasing out the recommendations – based on data and insight – for immediate and future focus.

Members were reminded that they have had the link to the Sway document in respect of the Community Impact Assessment Group. Mr Brace highlighted the following points in respect of the Group’s work:

·       To better understand how communities across the entirety of Cwm Taf Morgannwg were affected by Coronavirus and lockdown, Cwm Taf PSB along with Bridgend PSB and Cwm Taf Morgannwg Regional Partnership Board carried  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To consider any other business, as the Chair feels appropriate.

No other business to report.

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

The Chair thanked Members for attending and for engaging in a constructive discussion. The Chair reminded Members that the date of the next meeting will be on the 5^th February 2021.