Agenda, decisions 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.

In accordance with the code of conduct the following declarations were made pertaining to the agenda

Councillor G Hughes – Personal Interest in item 4 – “My mother is employed by Home to Home Care”

To receive for approval the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on the 8^th May & 15^th July

RESOLVED: To approve the minutes of the meeting held on the 8^th May and the 15^th July 2024 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 reminded Members of the open consultations and advised if Members had any queries in relation to these they can contact the scrutiny team

To pre-scrutinise the preferred options for the Council’s Care Accommodation provision for older people.

The Service Director Democratic Services and Communications presented the report to Members which invited the Committee to undertake pre-scrutiny on the Cabinet report which set out recommendations to reflect changes in need and develop more cost-effective care solutions which are sustainable for the future. The Director Adult Services then took Members through the proposals in the report and invited questions and comments from Members.

Members recognised that the review had been put forward as part of the Council’s responsibility to ensure its adult care homes and services are sufficient, of good quality, and are sustainable for the future.

Members acknowledged the need for the Council to review its adult social care provision to ensure that it continues to meet the changing needs of the County Borough and delivers a care model that is fit for purpose. Members noted that the needs of older residents were changing.

All Members noted the excellent service that is provided by the care staff. Members sought assurances that job losses could be avoided and sought clarification that opportunities could be explored to utilise experienced and skilled staff, impacted by this proposal, in other residential care areas, where appropriate.  The Committee were reassured that an Equality Impact Assessment had been completed as part of the process and would be updated to reflect the consultation responses. The Director also advised that there would be a number of options available to staff including redeployment, voluntary early retirement and voluntary redundancy.

Members noted from the report that lower levels of demand for general residential care are expected to continue with higher demand for other care need categories, such as dementia. All members noted that the report and the proposals sought to respond to this situation.

Members noted the significant financial challenges facing the Council and the level of investment that has already been delivered through the Council’s Modernisation Programme.

Members questioned the rational for proposing the closure of Ferndale House, prior to the completion of the new residential facility at the Chubb Factory site. Members acknowledge the significant level of subsidy for both homes and the financial rational for this proposal.

Members raised concerns around the demand for nurse led care and stated that the Council needed to lobby Welsh Government to ensure continued capacity for expertly trained nurses to deliver the level of care in line with the demands from our communities.

Members encouraged more focus upon highlighting that whilst the Council does have to make efficiencies, it also continues to invest in the delivery of excellent social care.

Members were reassured that the report seeks Cabinet approval to consult on the proposals, and that if Cabinet were to agree to the proposals, then a period of consultation and engagement with service users, families and staff would subsequently follow, as outlined in the report

A Member noted that Treorchy was listed as a mitigating site when no developments were currently being progressed.  Officers clarified that whilst a site for development was still in negotiation with the Health Board  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

To provide an overview of the progress being made in the delivery of the Council’s Corporate Safeguarding responsibilities.

The Chief Executive presented the report to the Committee to provide an overview of the progress being made in the delivery of the Council’s Corporate Safeguarding responsibilities, overseen by the Corporate Safeguarding Group, chaired by the Chief Executive.

The Chief Executive advised of the positive progress in respect of delivering the Corporate Safeguarding Policy which includes developing a Delivery Plan for 2023/24, including actions relevant to corporate safeguarding risks across the Council. He advised that the group membership was expanded to include a wider range of functions to manage emerging risks, for example around digital and data security. The Chief Executive continued that in light of the new Corporate Safeguarding Policy and its Framework areas, a new Corporate Safeguarding Delivery Plan 2024/25 has been developed and is presented at Appendix II to the report. The delivery plan will be monitored and reported using the Council’s Performance Management Framework with progress being monitored by the Corporate Safeguarding Group.

Members requested that the Council’s Social Media Policy be reviewed and updated and re-circulated to all Members so Members are refreshed and aware of their responsibilities in using social media responsibly.

The Service Director Democratic Services and Communications replied that social media guidance was part of Members induction process and recommended that Members keep their personal and Councillor social Media pages separate.  In terms of reviewing the policy, this can be referred to the Democratic Services Committee for review

A Member referred to the mandatory safeguarding (Adults and Children) training and noted that the risk indicator is marked red due to HR systems and processes in place, rather than the training not being undertaken or provided.  The Member acknowledged this but commented that hopefully when this matter is considered by Scrutiny in the future, the indicator will be green. The Chief Executive agreed with the members comment and stated there needs to be more robust data collected when rolling out the training which he reassured was being worked upon.

A Member referred to a staff survey where some respondents answered that they were not aware of the Councils Corporate Safeguarding Policy which sets out staff responsibilities regarding Safeguarding and asked how the Council were following this up with those staff.  The Chief Executive replied that this survey did not include staff from Education as they are subject to different safeguarding policy. He reassured that mandatory staff training modules will be rolled out to all staff later this year.

A Member asked how we ensure partner organisations that the Council work with are compliant with their safeguarding responsibilities, therefore ensuring they also deliver the high standards the Council expects. The Member also asked how the Council monitors standards in schools as governors no longer need to be DBS checked

The Chief Executive replied that over the last two years a lot of work has been undertaken with procurement to ensure the safeguarding requirements and policies are instilled in any organisations we work with which are subject to audit checks. The requirements are included in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

To provide the opportunity for Members to consider and comment on the Boundary Commission for Wales Initial proposals on the 2026 Review of the Senedd Constituencies

The Service Director Democratic Services and Communications presented the consultation to Members in respect of the revised proposals for the Senedd constituencies in Wales, and to seek the Committee’s views, comments and recommendations in respect of the initial proposals.

 Members were advised that their representations will be submitted to the Boundary Commission for their consideration, prior to the conclusion of the consultation on the 30^th September 2024.  The response of the Committee will form the response of the Council, however, Members were advised that they are also able to submit individual responses to the consultation. 

Members expressed concerns with the principles of aligning with UK Parliamentary Constituencies and queried why the proposal is for 16 constituencies.  Members considered that the current proposals will make it extremely difficult for MS’s to work across several different Health Boards and observed that they would be better aligned with the current Local Health Board or the Local Authority footprints.

Members felt that the wide remit of the Constituency MS’s role will be so broad that they will be disconnected geographically.

Members disagreed with the statement from the Commissioner that there are very good road links between the proposed Aberafan Maesteg, Rhondda and Ogmore constituency and voiced serious concerns regarding road access especially if the Rhigos or Maerdy mountains are closed.

Members felt that there are no shared characteristics exist with the Rhondda (Pont Y Cymmer/Maesteg/Ogmore) and feel like it has been added on with no justification and did not reflect the geographical make- up of the Rhondda

Members objected to the current proposals and note the consultation asks for alternative options to be proposed, therefore, RCT Members formally proposed the constituency ofRhondda Cynon Taf, or if this is not deemed possible then Merthyr/Cynon and Rhondda/Pontypridd be considered as it was discussed that these areas have similar demographic and cultural connections

The majority of Members agreed that the Senedd does need more MS’s (although added that this won’t necessarily be popular with the public)

The current proposals will mean a loss of local connection and make it difficult for the public to know/understand their MS’s and it could potentially drive more casework to the local members and MP’s.  Members believed that the current proposals will not deliver the service that the people of Wales deserve.

RESOLVED to:

1.      Consider the initial proposals of the Boundary Commission for Wales, and formulate recommendations in order that a response can be made by the deadline of the 30^th September 2024;

2.     Delegate to the Director of Legal Services & Service Director Democratic Services & Communication, to draft the substantive reply of the Council, following consideration by the Overview & Scrutiny Committee

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.

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