Agenda item

Derbyn diweddariad mewn perthynas â'r cynnydd a wnaed yn erbyn amcan Cynllun Llesiant Cwm Taf “Cymunedau sy'n Ffynnu” 

The Director Public Health, Protection and Community Services (RCT), the Head of Community Wellbeing & Prevention (Merthyr Tydfil CBC) and the Service Director, Community Services (RCT) presented their joint report in respect of the implementation of the delivery plan for Objective One of the Cwm Taf Well-being Plan.

In the first instance the Director Public Health, Protection and Community Services provided background to the PSB Cwm Taf Well-Being Plan 2018-2023 and to the development of the Community Zones which had been born out of the realisation that tackling the issues in our most disadvantaged communities required a different approach. The location of the two community zones had been identified based on need and from a number of sources such as community size and existing community support which had resulted in two community hubs being established in Ferndale in the Rhondda Fach (RCT) and the Gurnos (Merthyr Tydfil).

Progress in the first year has seen the opening of Hwb Glynrhedynog at Ferndale in July 2019 and Calon Las in the Gurnos in September 2019, both of which are led by anchor organisations and have made significant progress in delivering outcomes for their respective communities. A number of important services are co-located within the respective hubs such as the Library service which shares the Hwb space in Ferndale and health visitors and employment support in the Gurnos community hub. The Service Director, Community Services confirmed that the co-location of the library has had a positive impact on staff feeling more valued within their community.

The Director outlined plans for the next stage such as progressing the Community Co-ordinator role as well as building on the good progress made within the first year. He emphasised the importance of evaluating the impact of the community hubs in the future to assess the differences that are being made to the communities through an evaluation framework which is being developed jointly with Data Cymru.

In order to assist Members to identify any matters that they may wish to consider in greater detail, the Director asked them to reflect on a number of key questions such as how the progress and performance of the Community Hubs can be measured and how do they present an opportunity for the delivery of the wider well-being objectives? Furthermore, how can the longer term sustainability of the community hubs be guaranteed when the long term future of the service providers is to some extent dependent on external grant funding?

The Director added that following the proof of concept, that ten other areas have been identified as locations for community hubs across the Cwm Taf footprint such as Porth in RCT, focussing on areas of greater needs. The Community Hub in Mountain Ash opened in June 2019 using an under-utilised facility and has recorded 37,000 visits within the first 3 months and has doubled its library membership. 

The Head of Community Wellbeing & Prevention stated that universal provision and a holistic approach are key to the success of the initiative as is listening and prioritising the matters that the communities say are important to them. He added that it is crucial that all partners take an active role and work together to make the project sustainable in the long term.

Members of the JOSC discussed the report and commended the progress of the community hubs in their first year and concluded that case studies of service users would be key to evaluating the success of the initiative together with capturing pride and self-esteem of service users.

In conclusion, the Director Public Health, Protection & Community Services warned against becoming complacent following the success of the first year but to consider what other public bodies can enhance the ‘one public service’ approach. It was proposed that Members consider holding future meetings or visit the two community hubs to view the facilities first hand to meet with service users and partner organisations working from the Hubs.

Following discussions it was RESOLVED to:-

1.     Commend the progress of the Community Hubs located at Ferndale and the Gurnos and the progress for objective 1 of the Cwm Taf Well-being plan;

2.    Arrange a visit to the Hubs (as part of the series of informal meetings) for members of the JOSC to see the facilities and meet with partner agencies working from them; and

3.     Consider areas for development such as sustainability, integration,   partnership and evaluation of the initiative, (the latter to be evidenced by case studies of service users) at the next formal meeting of the JOSC.