Derbyn y Cynghorydd Kevin O'Neill, Cadeirydd Bwrdd Gwasanaethau Cyhoeddus Cwm Taf (PSB), a fydd yn rhoi diweddariad am gynnydd y Bwrdd Gwasanaethau Cyhoeddus i'r Pwyllgor.
Cofnodion:
The Chair of the PSB, Councillor K O’Neill, provided the Committee with an update in respect of the work of the Board during the 2019-20 Municipal Year.
The Chair reminded Members that the second year has been about continuing and building on the successes of our first year, as well as incorporating and using what we have learned. Members were reminded that the Board is still taking an assets-based approach, meaning that the Board looks at what works well in Cwm Taf, what people are proud of and what it can do to strengthen and further develop these.
Members were told that the work has focused on two key questions:-
· How are we making a positive difference in our communities; and,
· Are our mechanisms for delivery right, and are they working.
In respect of the highlights and key achievements in the 2019-20 PSB year, the Chair of the PSB referenced the progress against the Well-being Objectives:-
o Thriving Communities
Members were told that across both areas, Neighbourhood Networks continue to thrive, and act as a way of the community being involved in the Hub and how they develop. The community coordinator roles carried out by Susan Jones and Louise Clement help to build and strengthen existing networks and improve access to services, and promote the hubs within the area.
Members were reminded about the site visit to the Ferndale Hub and were told that this work has enabled the PSB to work towards some of the ‘Simple Changes’ identified by the Future Generations Commissioner, such as enabling local people to improve unloved spaces; enabling local people to come together in communities to meet and build social networks and maximising the Board’s work with community anchor organisations.
It was emphasised that over the last six months, the Hubs have been instrumental in supporting and coordinating community response.
During the COVID-19 crisis and the UK national lockdown, the RCT Hubs helped with local responses and meeting community needs, particularly the needs of the most vulnerable: coordinating volunteers, arranging and delivering food parcels, picking up shopping and prescriptions, ensuring contact was made with identified individuals – be it a friendly phone call, offering help, advice and understanding, dog walking, posting letters, using the internet.
Members were informed that the Hubs offered and signposted to Information, Advice and Assistance – initially online and through volunteers, including running and directing towards online courses and support for mental and physical well-being. The Hubs opened once it was possible and safe to do so and offered services that people needed, including support with accessing benefits and finding work, which has been particularly important in readiness for the impact of furlough coming to an end. Members were told that ‘The Little Ferns’ nursery has also resumed in Hwb Glynrhedynog.
The Chair of the PSB also reminded Members about the use of the Hubs during Storm Ciara and Dennis and their help with the response to the flooding, and the coordinated response to the summer flooding events in Pentre.
In Merthyr, the Calon Las Community Hub in the Gurnos has been involved in the supporting the community in a similar way; working with volunteers, community groups and organisations to support and build resilience and help those vulnerable or shielding as well as supporting groups of people such as young carers. Information, advice and assistance has been offered, as well as running or signposting to training and learning opportunities, as well as ways of coping and managing with wellbeing during lockdown such as tips on healthy eating on a budget.
The Chair of the PSB informed the Committee that Merthyr Valleys Homes Youth Team, amongst others, have been delivering books to local children as part of Merthyr’s Reading Festival – packages that were put together with help from VAMT and the Stephens and George Charitable Trust as well as having been involved in distributing play packs.
o Healthy People
The Chair of the PSB advised the Committee that the focus for year two had been on the health of our most vulnerable residents. As set out in the PSB Annual Report, progress was made in developing a ‘vulnerability profile’ in Cwm Taf so that we can identify and help vulnerable families before they reach crisis point. This has been supported by commissioning two bodies; ‘SAIL’ to carry out some analysis work for us and ‘Insight’ to investigate the benefits and feelings amongst a range of stakeholders about sharing data to identify pregnant women, children and young families who are vulnerable to poor outcomes. The findings of the two areas of work have been delayed owing to Covid-19. However, Members were assured that the work is resuming and that the Board will update the Committee in due course.
The Chair also informed Members that a new service has been set up for vulnerable women facing the risk of repeated, unplanned pregnancies. This service will provide outreach sexual health workers in identified areas to break down the barriers to engagement and offer women sexual health advice in their own communities
o Strong Economy
Members were told that this had been launched the ‘Employability Pledge’ in February 2020 and that it commits the PSB and member organisations to develop and share best practice when it comes to improving routes into employment, opportunities for development within our workforces, volunteering and work experience. The Chair of the PSB informed the Committee that the Board started to work with schools and colleges to find out what interests our young people. It was emphasised that this is linked to the ACEs agenda. The Board has also been working to raise aspirations and held a ‘Have a Go’ day with Merthyr Tydfil College and Year 8 pupils from Pen Y Dre High who had a chance to try out different interactive equipment from across a range of sectors, whilst also exploring the College and seeing what it has to offer. The PSB Chair informed Members that in 2020/21 the Board will continue to look at the foundational, or local, economy as an additional method of community development, including working with the Centre for Local Economic Studies (CLES) and WG on a Community Wealth Building and progressive procurement at a regional level with Bridgend.
o Tackling Loneliness and Isolation
The PSB Chair emphasised that working to address and mitigate loneliness and isolation will be key in recovery planning for the coming months in the context of recovery of Covid-19, lockdown, shielding and the long-terms impacts of things like furlough and managing anxiety in the new normal.
Committee Members were reminded that the Board has continued to use what was learnt in the review undertaken in 2019/20 to work together to tackle challenges and identify and promote the critical success factors that might work locally, particularly around social prescribing, befriending and developing community assets. It was emphasised that social prescribing a key area for Cwm Taf Morgannwg and the partnerships that operate in the area. RPB money was used to employ a ‘loneliness and isolation development officer’. Since October 2019, Ryan Bevan has been working to support and develop local groups working on this agenda.
We began to look at supporting befriending services in a more sustainable way so that services people need and use are not at risk. A befriending network had a preliminary meeting in January, and the PSB has included in its Terms of Reference work to develop a Preventative Strategy to address needs, not just now to help prepare for the future.
Committee Members were told that Cwm Taf had been asked to lead a workshop on the way in which we are working to tackle loneliness and social isolation through wellbeing strategies and joined up services at the Welsh Centre for Public Policy’s event on the topic. However, this event has had to be postponed as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. The PSB Chair advised the Committee that it was recently announced that Ian Davy, Chief Officer at VAMT and the PSB Champion for this cross cutting theme will be retiring at the end of September. The Chair wished to place on record his
thanks to Ian and wishes him well in the future. Sharon Richards has been announced as his replacement at VAMT; the PSB is yet to consider its new lead for the work.
The PSB Chair also noted that the PSB published an interim Annual Report by 4 July, in line with the reporting deadline. The decision had been made that it wouldn’t be appropriate to discuss successes or planned work in the context of such uncertainty and without having opportunity to involve our communities and citizens. A full report is planned to be published this autumn, which will also draw upon the learnings from the Community Impact Assessment, carried out jointly with Bridgend PSB and Cwm Taf Morgannwg Regional Partnership Board, which will be discussed in the progress of the upda
It was emphasised that the PSB has increasingly explored how it can collaborate and integrate with other partnerships working in Cwm Taf Morgannwg (CTM), particularly the Regional Partnership Board and Bridgend PSB. This is also re-affirming our commitment to a strong preventative agenda and a Cwm Taf Morgannwg Joint Strategic Partnership Conference was held in January 2020. Members from both Bridgend and Cwm Taf PSB, and Cwm Taf Morgannwg RPB came together to discuss future working arrangements and opportunities to integrate and collaborate. The Boards know that the ‘big issues’ need the biggest commitment to change, best use of collective resources and minimal risk of duplication of efforts.
Since then, there’s been ongoing discussions about implementing changes, reviewing how the delivery mechanisms for all Boards can be integrated and exploring opportunities to work together, setting a strategy regionally that can be implemented and designed around meeting local needs – now more important than ever in the context of Covid-19 and needing shared strong strategic vision and understanding when planning for recovery.
JOSC Members were reminded about the report received in February outlining the work of the Live Lab on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Members were told that this work has halted in the past six months due to COVID-19, but the commitment to drive this forward remains central for the PSB.
The Chair of the PSB noted the recent barriers that the Board have had to overcome. Members of the Committee were informed that the RCT flooding sadly, this did affect the launch of the Employability Pledge as this was scheduled for the February PSB meeting and at a time when partners’ social media channels were prioritising information and advice for those at risk or impacted by Storms Ciara and Dennis.
In respect of the COVID-19 pandemic, the PSB stood down for its June meeting. The impact of Covid-19 cannot be underestimated but as the Board adjust to the new normal and the PSB remains committed to making a difference and improving the well-being of the people in Cwm Taf.It has also renewed the commitment to collaborative working, particularly with the RPB and Bridgend PSB on key areas that the Board believes can make the biggest difference, such as mental health, homelessness and climate change.
It was noted that the Board received a letter from Julie James, Minister for Housing and Local Government informing the PSB that there would be no grant money available for PSBs for 2020-21. For Cwm Taf Morgannwg, this is a loss of £55,844 – the only money made available to the Board. The Chair advised the Committee that a subsequent letter from the Minister set out expectations around the PSBs and it was noted that this letter was included in the agenda pack as an information document for JOSC Members.
The PSB Chair emphasised that Julie James’ letter sets the tone with which the Board will now approach its work, and building back better in the ‘new normal’. To that end, the Community Impact Assessment is a collaborative effort between the partnerships operating in Cwm Taf Morgannwg and will be a valuable tool for teasing out the recommendations – based on data and insight – for immediate and future focus. The Chair advised Members that
a first draft is underway and emphasised that the Board recognises the need for speed when it comes to this work in terms of quickly learning lessons in readiness for the approaching second wave.
In terms of the year aead, the PSB Chair advised the Committee that the Strategic Partnership Board (SPB) is taking place on 15th September and will be reviewing the priorities and focus for this year for the Well-being Objectives. The Public Services Board meets again on 20th October.
To conclude, the PSB Chair extended thanks to Professor Marcus Longley for his service as Chair of the PSB over the last few years and extended his congratulations to the new Vice Chair, Mark Brace, who also Chairs the Bridgend PSB. Councillor K O’Neill also thanked the Scrutiny Chair for welcoming and allowing him to present the update to Committee Members.
Following the update, Committee Members were provided with the opportunity
to ask questions. Councillor Caple began by thanking the Chair of the PSB for
providing the Committee with such a detailed update. Councillor Caple
continued by stating the recent flooding events caused by Storm Ciara and
Storm Dennis together with the COVID-19 pandemic has triggered an
increased appreciation from the public in public services. Consequently,
Councillor Caple queried whether all Hubs should provide
basic public services in their communities and if so, could the PSB compare
the Hubs as the process develops. The Chair of the PSB advised Members
that the development of the Hubs will be based on capacity and referenced
the ‘Early Years’ programme in the Gurnos Hub in Merthyr Tydfil and
the ‘Stay Well at Home’ programme in RCT as an example of recent success
in this area. The Head of Community Wellbeing & Prevention, Merthyr Tydfil
County Borough Council advised Members that it’s been about how partners
were able to contribute into the Hubs and he emphasised that the
development of the Hubs has been driven locally by the local community
needs and what local partners can contribute. Kirsty Smith, Senior PSB
Support Officer, also emphasised that it’s about looking at the wider assets in
the community. Councillor Caple informed the Committee that in Porth, the
department for Employment is working with the Hubs and the GP’s and that
it’s about making them all work in conjunction with each other. The Head of
Community Wellbeing & Prevention, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council
agreed that it’s about developing an integrated approach and that it should be
a network of organisations working together making sure that there are no
overlaps. Lisa Toghill, Senior PSB Support Officer, emphasised the use of the
neighbourhood networks and the communities involvement in terms of the five
ways of working.
Discussions ensued and Mr Mel Jehu, the local Health Board representative,
wished to congratulate Councillor K O’Neill in his appointment as the new
Chair of the PSB and extended his praise to all the hard work of public
servants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr Jehu sought reassurance from
Councillor K O’Neill that a record will be kept of the positive collaborative work
that has been achieved during the pandemic and of ‘lessons learned’.
Discussions continued and Councillor W. Jones emphasised the importance
of the voluntary hubs and organisations and wished to place on records his
gratitude to them for all their hard work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Councillor Jones also emphasised the importance of ensuring that voluntary
hubs are included as part of the recovery programme going forward. The
Chair of the PSB agreed that this must be the way forward and also
emphasised the conduit of Local Elected Members and their links within the
community. The PSB Chair emphasised the vital role that Elected Members
play in supporting the COVID response. Furthermore, the Chair agreed that it
is important to keep a record of the lessons learned and to ensure that any
positive outcomes are driven forward as part of our future work.
Following discussion, Members RESOLVED to note the update from the Chair
of the PSB.