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.

None

To receive for approval the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on the 14 December 2022

RESOLVED:

The minutes of the meeting held on the 14^th December 2022 were approved as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

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

The Principal Scrutiny Officer advised Members of the open consultations and stated that if members had any queries in relation to these to contact the Scrutiny team for advice.

To pre-scrutinise the preferred options following a public consultation on the future provision of accommodation with care for older people in each of the Council’s nine residential care homes

The Service Director Democratic Services and Communications presented the report to members which provided a further opportunity for members to pre-scrutinise the preferred options on the future provision of Residential Care Homes for Older People following the outcome of a public consultation.

The Service Director emphasised the importance and the involvement of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in undertaken pre-scrutiny of such significant decisions and referenced the various stages that Scrutiny has been engaged and provided feedback on the future service delivery model for residential care services through meetings held since 2018

The Interim Director Social Services then presented details of the outcome of the consultation on the preferred options on the future provision of accommodation for older people in each of the Council’s nine residential care homes for members to consider before Cabinet took a final decision on the matter.  He reminded members that the review into the provision has been taken forward due to the over provision of residential care beds that Rhondda Cynon Taf has had for several years.  The review will address the demands rising for placements in nursing and dementia care beds in the Borough. 

Following the presentation of the report the Chair invited members to discuss the proposals being put forward.

Members welcomed the proposals which included a capacity for more dementia beds and noted the proposals for care apartments in the Ferndale area and asked if there is sufficient land available in this area to support this proposal.  The Interim Director replied that a potential site has been identified that is large enough to accommodate the proposal and he strongly believed that dementia care can be provided within extra care settings as well as in specialist residential care, therefore, he reassured members that the increase of 10 beds in the Ferndale area will meet the needs now, and in the near future when looking at the projected demands for the provision.

Members commented on the strong public opposition to the Garth Olwg proposal raising concerns about losing a facility in a growth area with over 50% disagreeing with the proposal.

The Interim Director responded that as part of the proposals we are responding to serve local need, upon reviewing the analysis we identified that the residents currently residing at Garth Olwg, only one is from this area.   As RCT does currently have surplus residential care home places, the proposals set out to reduce the capacity, which can then increase capacity elsewhere, according to demand.  The Interim Director continued that the responsibility for the provision for nursing care beds, is with private care home providers.  He added that The site in question has been considered too small to be developed into a nursing care provision which is reflected in the recommendations.

In response to members comments the Interim Director advised that it is difficult to project the needs of residents over 20 years.  He advised that we are offering a solution for the short and medium term which can be reviewed and new proposals  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

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.

None

The Chair thanked all officers and members for attending the meeting and stated that comments will be sent to Cabinet for them to consider before a final decision is taken forward.  She also thanked Cabinet Member health and Social Care for his attendance at the meeting also.