Agenda and minutes

The Service Director, Democratic Sertvices & Communications welcomed Members to the first meeting of the JOSC for the 2021-22 Municipal Year.

Apologies of absence were received from County Borough Councillors T. Skinner (MTCBC) and Councillor W. Jones (RCTCBC). An apology of absence was also received from Mr Maguire, Citizen Representative.

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 Service Director, Democratic Services & Communications 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 23^rd April 2021.

It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 23^rd April 2021 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

1.     To appoint a Chair of the Cwm Taf Public Services Board Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee for the Municipal Year 2021 – 2022; and,

2.     To appoint a Vice Chair of the Cwm Taf Public Services Board oint Overview & Scrutiny Committee for the Municipal Year 2021 – 2022.

Following discussion, Members RESOLVED:

1.     To appoint Councillor Caple as Chair of the Cwm Taf Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the 2021/22 Municipal Year; and,

2.     To appoint Councillor Isaac as Vice Chair of the Cwm Taf Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the 2021/22 Municipal Year.

For Members of the Cwm Taf PSB Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee to consider the Forward Work Programme for the 2021/22 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 2021/22.  

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 also reminded that last year, Members of the JOSC noted that over the medium term the Public Service Board must demonstrate its value and role in improving the delivery of public services and that its purpose makes a positive difference to the residents of Merthyr and Rhondda CynonTaf. This recommendation has been incorporated into the Forward Work Programme and Members of the JOSC have been provided with the opportunity to hear and learn experiences from partners in respect of their experiences during the pandemic, the value of the PSB and to hear evidence from corporate leads of the public sector bodies.  

Following discussion, Members RESOLVED to acknowledge the contents of the proposed draft Cwm Taf Joint Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme 2021/22.    

To receive a representative from the Community Assessment Action Group to give an overview of progress and work achieved to date as well as proposed work.

Members were provided with a overview from Dr Tom Powell, the Chair of the Wellbeing Assessment Action Group.

Dr Tom Powell thanked the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cwm Taf PSB for allowing him time and the opportunity to provide an update.

Members were provided with a presentation on the work of the Community Action Group to date.

Following the presentation, the PSB Senior Support Officer, Kirsty Smith, suggested that it would be a good idea to have a representative from the Scrutiny Committee to sit on the Action Group. The Chair asked for volunteers and Members agreed that it would be a good idea for the Chair to sit on the Group and to report back to the JOSC. The Chair agreed to accept this proposal.

Discussion continued and the Chair asked whether the toolkit will be looking at the family unit and the pressures that COVID has put on families a a whole unit. The PSB Senior Support Officer, Lisa Toghill, advised that the RPB and the Population Needs Assessment have priority groups that will be looked at through the Health and Social Care Services. Members were advised that the PSB will be looking at the most disadvantaged groups through and will be looking at the huge impact that COVID has had on mental health.

Discussions ensued and a Member queried how people could engage with the toolkits through the medium of Welsh language facilities. Dr Tom Powell advised that he will need to refer to the Chair of the sub group and report back to Members accordingly.

Following discussion, Members RESOLVED to note the update from Dr Tom Powell and the work of the Community Action Group.   

To receive Mr Christian Hanagan, Service Director, Democratic Services & Communications of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, who will provide Members with an overview of the Cwm Taf Public Service Board Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee Interim Annual Report for the 2020-21 Municipal Year.

The Service Director of Democratic Services & Communications (RCTCBC)

introduced the Cwm Taf JOSC Interim Annual Report 2020-21, which details

the work undertaken by the Committee during the 2020-21 Municipal Year.

Members received an overview of the Committee’s work from the outgoing

Chair, Councillor Bonetto. Members were thanked for their hard work during

the year and Councillor Bonetto wished to place on record her personal thanks

to Officers and support officers of the Committee.

Following discussion, Members RESOLVED to note the contents of the Annual

report and work of the Cwm Taf Public Service Board Joint Overview

and Scrutiny Committee.

To receive an update on the work of the Board following the JOSC recommendations.  

The PSB Senior Support Officer, Kirsty Smith, provided Members with an update on the ongoing work of the Board to deliver against the Cwm Taf Wellbeing Plan 2018-2023.

Members were advised that the PSB Chair, Mark Brace, sends his apologies but has worked with the PSB Support Team to prepare this update.

Members were advised about the future focus of the PSB as follows:

·       PSB last met in July and the agenda was very much looking forward, both in terms of returning focus to the current Well-being Plan and Objectives and the work to undertake the next statutory assessment of well-being to be published in May 2022.

·       When the PSB Chair last met with JOSC, we as a Board were rightly challenged about not having workplans in place to be scrutinised and challenged. We are pleased to report that, in line with the PSB delivery year, delivery plans have been written for July 2021 – June 2022

·       These were presented to PSB in July and have been included in the information reports for this meeting. We would welcome any questions or comments on these plans, these can be given through Lisa and Kirsty.

·       The Board also considered the findings of a review of mental health provision carried out earlier this year and had a brief discussion about mental health as a future priority for the Board, linked to the work of the Assessment and Plan.

·       These discussions took place in the context of a regional Health Foundation Event on 12 July looking at inequalities, and the interesting and informative discussions had at the session about the Assessment work, working with citizens and our communities to agree priority areas of focus and jointly agree how to tackle them.

·       The PSB published its Annual Report in July 2021 as scheduled and in line with our statutory duty. The report provides an overview of the work of the Board over the last year against the five ways of working and discusses the impact that Covid has had on the ability of the PSB and capacity of its Members. It also outlines our future plans regarding the Assessment and the remainder of the current Well-being Plan, 2018-2023.

Discussion continued and Members were advised about the Well-being Assessment and Regional Working:

Members were told that the PSB needs to undertake an assessment of well-being to be published in May 2022. This will be a joint assessment with Bridgend PSB, resulting in one Cwm Taf Morgannwg Wellbeing Assessment. The following points were noted:

·       As previously mentioned, we also intend to collaborate with the Regional Partnership Board as much as possible. They need to undertake and publish a Population Needs Assessment by April 2022 so resources, intelligence, information and opportunities for involvement will be shared as much as possible.

·       Cwm Taf and Bridgend PSBs were successful in applying for a 5-year support package with  Co-Production Network Wales, one of only 3 chosen in Wales. Given the tight timescale and statutory requirements around the production of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

·       Draft Cwm Taf PSB Delivery Plan (Healthy People);

·       Drat Cwm Taf Delivery Plan (Loneliness and Isolation)

·       Draft Cwm Taf PSB Delivery Plan (Strong Economy);

·       Draft Cwm Taf PSB Delivery Plan (Thriving Communities);

·       Draft Cwm Taf PSB Work Plan 2021-22; and,  

·       Draft Cwm Taf PSB 27.07.21 minutes

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

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

There was no urgent business to report.

To reflect on the meeting and actions to be taken forward

The Chair thanked the Committee for electing him as Chair for the 2021-22 Municipal Year and wished to put on record his congratulations to Councillor Isaac for being elected Vice Chair of the Committee.

The Chair passed on his admiration and thanks to the outgoing Chair and Vice Chair respectively, Councillor Bonetto and Councillor Skinner.

The Chair thanked Members for attending and referenced the upcoming training event with Dr Dave McKenna. The Chair expressed his enthusiasm for this event and hoped to see Members at the event in November.