Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Service Director, Democratic Services & Communications RCTCBC welcomed Members to the inaugural meeting of the newly formed Cwm Taf Morgannwg Public Services Board Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee (CTM PSB JOSC).

Members of the JOSC are reminded that, as set out within its terms of reference, their core statutory functions include:-

o   To review or scrutinise the decisions made or actions taken by Board;

o   To review or scrutinise the Board’s governance arrangements;

o   To make reports or recommendations to the Board regarding its functions or governance arrangements;

o   To consider matters relating to the Board as the Welsh Ministers may refer to it and report to the Welsh Ministers accordingly; and

o   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 advised Members that this will be a standard item on the agendas going forward and reminded Members to note the 5 Ways of Working.

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 Code of Conduct, there were no declarations of interest made pertaining to the agenda.

Apologies of absence were noted from Councillor C Jones (MTCBC Committee Member) and Mr Maguire (MTCBC Citizen Representative).

1.     To appoint a Chair of the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Public Services Board Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee for the Municipal Year 2023 – 2024; and,

2.     To appoint a Vice Chair of the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Public Services Board Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee for the Municipal Year 2023 – 2024.

Following discussion, Members RESOLVED:

1.     To appoint Councillor R Bevan as Chair of the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Public Services Board Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the 2023/24 Municipal Year; and,

2.     To appoint Councillor S Griffiths as Vice Chair of the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Public Services Board Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the 2023/24 Municipal Year.  

To receive an update on the newly merged CTM PSB, progress and future priorities.

The Chair welcomed Mr M Brace, Chair of the PSB, to the inaugural meeting of the CTM PSB JOSC.

Mr Brace welcomed the opportunity to attend and congratulated the Chair on his appointment.

Members were informed that the inaugural PSB meeting took place on the 18^th May and that the plan’s overarching ambition is ‘A more equal Cwm Taf Morgannwg’ which sets out two main objectives:

1.     Healthy Local Neighbourhoods; and,

2.     Sustainable and Resilient Local Neighbourhoods

Members were advised that the focus of the PSB over the next 6 months includes:

1.     The development of the newly merged PSB – Working with the OFGC and Co Pro Network, they will continue with a programme of development for the PSB

2.     Development of the action plan to deliver against the objectives – this will establish the Board’s priorities for action and timeline. 

Mr Brace noted that some of the work already underway includes:

Ø  Involving Young People – allowing them to hae a voice of influence in the Well Being Plan. A student conference will be held in November where young people will meet with Board Members to discuss their ideas and how they can be involved.

Ø  Links to the third sector – the Board has links to CVC’s to look at community mapping tools, such as climate change, food prosperity and young people’s mental health

Ø  Website – The Board has commissioned Data Cymru to give it a rebranded webpage.

Ø  Insight Network – The aim is to set up a regional network of partners based on a North Wales model to enhance and improve the Boards engagement

Ø  Alignment to the work and priorities of the CSP – During the last PSB, we had a discussion around Serious Violence and the duties placed on Local Authorities. Board Members discussed the data and whether there was a way of matching the data to the underlying causes. This was supported by Board Members and referenced previous discussions of being data rich but intelligence poor. And tis is something the PSB could work together to improve.

Ø  Workforce Well Being – This originated in Bridgend and has been expanded to include regional partners in CTM to support the work of the PSB to deliver change and improvements to our collective workforces. A workforce was held in July which came up with several priorities for action such as work/life balance, resilience, diversity, and recruitment as well as opportunities that can arise from organisations sharing things such as training and support packages.

Ø  Climate Change Risk Assessment – The PSB has recently agreed to undertake a CCRA in line wit WG and NRW advice and guidance. It will identify a clear view of future challenges and identify strategic joint actions for the PSB.

Mr Brace emphasised that in terms of scrutiny we would like to emphasise the OFGC advise that in the short terms it may be better to consider the outcomes the PSB is working towards as opposed to its  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

An opportunity for Members to consider and discuss future work items on the JOSC Forward Work Programme and to consider any future action plans.  

The Service Director, Democratic Services & Communications presented his report to Members. The Service Director noted the previous comments from Members and emphasised that when considering items for a Scrutiny Work Programme, scrutiny could look at ‘how’ the PSB measures its own success in delivering upon the two objectives; scrutinise how partners are bringing work items forward to enable collaborative working and for Members to be mindful of finite resources and sharing best practice and identifying areas of duplication/overlap.

Discussions ensued and the Chair noted his agreement to this approach and emphasised that collaboration and challenge are fundamental key igediants to good scrutiny. Pre scrutiny wil also be critical.

Mr Brace re iterated the open invitation to Scrutiny Members to be a part of the PSB work and that Members can assist the PSB in their challenges and that pre scrutiny is key.

A member noted that communication is a high priority at this stage and also stressed that this is an opportunity for us to have shorter term tactical measures on things like communication and suggested that Scrutiny measures to what extent organisations are talking to each other rather than those strategic measures.

Another Member raised concerns regarding the scrutiny of the PSB and noted the need for Working Groups going forward to look at how we can change the culture within the PSB and emphasised that a culture change is needed in order to achieve any outcomes.

A Co Optee Member congratulated the Chair and Vice Chair on their appointments to the Committee and noted the importance of working together to ensure all the organisations are working together to the same rules under one priority. The Co Opted Member also emphasised the importance of receiving up to date information in order to ensure effective scrutiny. A Member of the Committee noted his agreement.

The Chair emphasised the importance of collaboration and in getting up to date information to Scrutiny.

The Service Director RCTCBC summarised the discussion and noted that a draft Forward Work Programme will be brought to the next meeting for Members approval and that Members had RESOLVED for this to include:

1.     To what extent partners are collaborating and the tactical measures that will drive that collaboration.

2.     The outcome and progress of the PSB with emphasis and focus on the two strategic objectives that will drie those outcomes and priorities.

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

There was no other business to report.

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

The Chair thanked Members for electing him as Chair of the Committee and congratulated Councillor Griffiths on his appointment as Vice Chair. The Chair thanked Mr Brace for attending the Committee and noted that there will be a lot of work to do going forward.

·       https://www.futuregenerations.wales/about-us/future-generations-act/

·       Cwm Taf Morgannwg Well-being Plan 2023-2028

·       Cwm Taf Morgannwg Public Services Board Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee (JOSC) Terms of Reference (RCTCBC Agreed on the14^th June 2023, BCBC Agreed on the 19^th July 2023 and MTCBC Agreed on the 12^th Jul 2023).

The Chair referenced the information reports and advised Members that any queries should be sent to scrutiny@rctcbc.gov.uk