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, County Borough Councillor S Bradwick declared a personal interest in item 5 Pre-Scrutiny - Day Services for older people.

“I previously have been employed by Tegfan.”

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

Members acknowledged the information provided through the consultation links in respect of open consultations, Welsh Government consultations and those matters being consulted upon by the local authority.

To approve as an accurate record the minutes of the virtual meeting of the Community Services Scrutiny Committee held on the 25^th September 2023.

The Democratic Services Officer outlined to Members matters arising from the minutes of the meeting on 25.09.23 noting that further information had been shared with Members in respect of the nature of Ombudsman Complaints and current performance of the Adaptations and Community Equipment (ACE) Team’s waiting list and waiting times for an ACE assessment.

The Director of Social Services also provided a verbal update to Members on the use of hospital white board data and information management in relation to the consent of data sharing that due to time constraints it had not been possible to provide a report for this meeting. Therefore, Members were advised that a further report would be brought back to the next meeting on this issue.

It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 25^th September 2023 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

Pre-Scrutiny of Policy for Future Regulation of House in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

The Service Director Democratic Services and Communications outlined the purpose of the report for Members to pre-scrutinise the detail provided in the report and to provide comments and observations to Cabinet prior to their consideration. The Environmental Protection & Housing Standards Manager continued to present the detail of the report to allow members to scrutinise the effectiveness of the 2019 Additional Licensing Scheme (ALS) for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and the proposal to declare a new ALS for HMOs from April 2024, in accordance with the provisions of the Housing Act 2004.

The Environmental Protection & Housing Standards Manager began by outlining the definition of a HMO for Members and the background to the report. Members were informed that HMOs have a higher fire risk and as a result additional fire precautions are needed in HMOs. Also, higher concentration of poorly managed HMOs can add pressure to local communities. Members were provided with information regarding the number of HMOs currently in Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) and the large number of these are located in the Treforest ward where there is a large number of students.

In terms of legislation, it was highlighted from the report that the Housing Act 2004 (‘the Act’) came into force in Wales in June 2006 and introduced powers for Local Authorities to regulate standards in the private rented housing sector including the requirement for Local Authorities to licence certain types of HMO known as Mandatory HMO Licensing. The Act also allowed Local Authorities to introduce other types of licensing scheme for different types of HMO (Additional Licensing) and to licence the single occupation rented sector (Selective Licensing). Members were informed that both schemes are discretionary.

Members were provided with further information from the report into the Additional Licensing Scheme with the Environmental Protection & Housing Standards Manager highlighting that since 2006 the Council has operated successive Additional Licensing Schemes. The 2014 Additional Licensing Scheme (ALS) was reviewed in 2018 whereby a decision was made to implement a further ALS which came into effect on 1st April 2019. Members were informed that the current ALS is due to lapse on 31st March 2024.

The Environmental Protection & Housing Standards Manager also highlighted that online applications have been introduced since 2019 and this has led to an improved processing time for licenses and also changes were made to how the fees were processed and a two-part payment was introduced to cover costs of implementing the ALS.

Members were reminded that the decision to renew an ALS must be based on evidence of the need for such a scheme and were referred to the relevant section in the report and Appendix 1 which detailed the findings of the full evaluation of the HMO Licensing Schemes (Additional and Mandatory), since 2019, undertaken by the Housing Strategy Team. The Key findings as outlined in section 4 of Appendix A were presented to Members.

Members were also directed to Appendix 3 which contains the full results of the public consultation undertaken between 5th September  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

To pre-scrutinise proposals for the future delivery of the Council’s Day Services for older people in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

The Service Director Democratic Services and Communications outlined the purpose of the report for Members to pre-scrutinise the detail provided in the report and to provide comments and observations to Cabinet prior to their consideration. The Director Social Services shared the purpose of the report is to make recommendations with regards to the future delivery of the Council’s day services for older people.

The Director Social Services outline the background of the report highlighting that at its meeting on 11th September 2019, Cabinet, following a period of formal consultation, agreed a new day service model for older people that would change the current emphasis away from building based services, where the person is required to fit in with the services available, towards a more personalised service that better responds to individual needs and outcomes. There is now a need to review day service provision for older people.

The Director Social Services provided Members with an overview of the current day services offer for older people as outlined within Appendix A and informed Members that while the Council’s Day centres remain popular among the people that use them and provide respite for carers, attendance at them has shown a decline over recent years.

The Director Social Services shared that taking into consideration the information outline in section 4 of Appendix A there is the belief that the service area needs to redesign its offer of day services for older people, ensuring it continues to meet assessed and changing need, in more cost effective and efficient ways, in line the overall requirements of the Council’s Day service model for older people.

The Director Social Services outlined for Members the two proposals as detailed in section 5 of Appendix A. Members were also informed that if agreed, staffing structures would need to be reviewed and any changes would need to be consulted upon with staff and union representatives prior to any change in service. The Director also outlined for Members the process that would be undertaken with current day service users to support them with any changes.

Members were informed that redesigning the Councils Day services offer will ensure that provision is delivered in a way that promotes individual wellbeing and independence while supporting a more efficient service delivery and making effective use of Council resources. The Director also informed Members that if agreed, the proposals could generate an estimated revenue saving in a full year of approximately £140,000, which would be recommended to be ring fenced and invested back into Adult Services budget enabling the Council to maintain essential care and support services.

A Member referenced the Tonyrefail Day Centre and queried how many of the 17 that attend are local to Tonyrefail and also of the 64 registered to attend, the Member queried whether there is capacity to accommodate all under the proposals to relocate. The Director Social Services shared that currently 2 individuals who live in Tonyrefail attend. Of the 17 who attend on average per day, they are given  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

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

The Chair thanked Officers for their comprehensive reports and presentations to Committee. The Chair thanked Members for their contributions acknowledging the detailed debate on both reports and highlighted the important impact pre-scrutiny of the reports provides.

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.