Agenda and minutes

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 took the opportunity to welcome Members to the meeting, with particular welcome to Mr M Brace, Chair of the Cwm Taf Public Services Board Committee.

Apologies of absence were received from Rhondda County Borough Councillor K Morgan, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Councillor J Thomas and Co-opted Member Mr M Jehu.

The Member Researcher and Scrutiny Officer advised 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 15^th July 2022.

It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 15^th July 2022 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

To receive an update from the Chair following his attendance at the Cwm Taf PSB meeting on the 18^th October 2022 and his one to one meeting with the Chair of the Cwm Taf Public Service Board.

The Chair informed Members of his attendance to a Cwm Taf Public Service Board Committee meeting held on the 18^th October 2022; He noted the informative presentations shared surrounding mental health and its importance. 

The Chair informed Members of a meeting held with Mr M Brace (Chair of the Cwm Taf Public Service Board); several issues were raised surrounding Mental health, Climate Change, Social Housing and Hospital Discharge. The Chair emphasised the importance of scrutinising and challenging the Regional Partnership Board in order to tackle the chronic issues facing these areas. The Chair noted the increased cost of living and budget cuts which as a result will raise a lot of challenges collectively in maintaining these services.

Mr M Brace, Chair of Cwm Taf PSB agreed with the comments raised by the chair; he noted the one positive outcome because of the pandemic, which was the ability of the Public Services to work more effectively in a crisis. He emphasised the importance of harnessing this as we move forward and the relationship with the Regional Partnership Board. In relation to Mental Health, Mr M Brace noted the new well-being plan and how to strengthen those links in terms of the themes, issues and how we can align those priorities and objectives across the different governance structures in order to focus resources at the best point of delivery.

The Cwm Taf Public Services Board Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee RESOLVED to:

Note the Chairs update

Members will have the opportunity to consider the findings and identify whether the PSB has met its duty.

Mr M Brace, Chair of Cwm Taf PSB presented the report; the report aimed to provide Members of the Cwm Taf Public Services Board Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee (JOSC) with an update of the work undertaken in relation to the use of the Well-Being Assessment published in April 2022, towards the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Well-being Plan and Objectives for 2023-2028.

Mr M Brace, Chair of Cwm Taf PSB reminded Members that the Well-Being Assessment was published in July 2022 bilingually and in line with the statutory guidelines. It was noted that the assessment provided an accurate analysis of the state of the well-being in each community across Cwm Taf Morgannwg as the two PSB’s along with the Regional Partnership Board came together to develop the assessment. Together they formed a Community Assessment Action Group and a Data Engagement Group. The groups looked at the public perception, analysis, and engagement as well as the data and performance in order to identify clear objectives and priorities.

Mr M Brace, Chair of Cwm Taf PSB advised Members that the Well-Being Assessment was supplemented by the report on the findings of the statutory consultation on the draft assessment, and the engagement report from the work that informed the final version and summary sheets against the four pillars of well-being: environmental, economic, cultural, and social. The latter was further broken down by the themes of housing and homelessness, physical health, and mental health. It is intended that the summary reports can be used as sources of evidence by community groups looking to attract funding.

The Cwm Taf Public Services Board Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee RESOLVED to:

• Acknowledge the work undertaken to date and discusses the approach in line with the sustainable development principles.

• Consider and comment on the findings of the Well-being Assessment and whether the use of the data and information gathered is relevant and right to the future work for the Public Services Board.

• Consider additional uses for the Assessment and the information contained within it to benefit the community

An update on the progress made to date and Members will have the opportunity to be consultees on the Well-being Plan

Mr M Brace, Chair of Cwm Taf PSB presented the report; the report provided Members with an update of work undertaken in relation to the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Well-Being Plan and Objectives for 2023-2028 and the merging of Cwm Taf and Bridgend Public Services Board (PSB).

Mr M Brace, Chair of Cwm Taf PSB informed Members that under the Welsh Government (WG) guidelines, PSBs must explain how the local objectives have been set with regard to the findings from the well-being Assessment and make sure those objectives are sufficiently robust to stand up to local scrutiny.

In developing the plan, 3 stakeholder sessions were held to consider what has worked in the last 5 years, to identify consistency and continuity. Mr M Brace, Chair of Cwm Taf PSB advised Members of the 3 Horizon session which considered creating resilient healthy communities in Cwm Taf Morgannwg which meet the challenges of life in 2030. The 3 Horizon model refers to:

1. Looking at where we are now
2. What needs to change/ opportunities for innovation
3. Where we want to get to

Mr M Brace, Chair of Cwm Taf PSB confirmed collaboration with Natural Resources Wales who are reviewing the findings, which will then be incorporated into the developing plan.

Members were reminded of the two priority areas of the merger which will aid in tackling inequalities; These priorities are: safer communities and greener communities. Although these are broad aims, they will allow the PSB to reflect the wider issues whilst also considering regional objectives and strategies relating to local delivery. The Safer communities’ objective would allow for strong alignment with the Community Safety Partnership and also consider what people need to feel safe in communities in the wider sense. This includes security and employment, opportunities to meet and socialise, feeling a good sense of belonging, thriving businesses, and delivering services that people need in their communities and for their well-being. The Greener communities’ objective picks up on the level of interest our communities showed regarding the space around them and the importance of addressing the climate and nature emergency. It includes topics such as addressing waste, biodiversity but also active travel, accessibility of good quality food locally and making good use of our spaces.

Mr M Brace, Chair of Cwm Taf PSB advised Members that nominations at the PSB were requested for a working group to take these forward and help towards drafting a plan which will go out for consultation in November 2022. The Board also accepted the recommendations of taking the health impact assessment approach to developing a plan in order to consider the broader health and well-being impacts and consequences of our objectives to the wider communities. 

Mr M Brace, Chair of Cwm Taf PSB advised Members that during the PSB meeting, discussions were had surrounding the next stages of the merger process between Cwm Taf and Bridgend. A session has been arranged for the 15^th November 2022 to consider the form and the function for the new Regional  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

·       The Cwm Taf Public Service Board Agenda 18.10.22

The Chair noted the Information Reports and advised Members to email any questions to scrutiny@rctcbc.gov.uk.

No urgent items to report.

To reflect on the meeting and actions to be taken forward

The Chair thanked Mr M Brace, Chair of Cwm Taf PSB for his attendance in the meeting and the valuable information shared.

Members were reminded that the next meeting of the Cwm Taf Public Service Board Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee has been scheduled for the 20^th January 2023.