Agenda item

The consider the report Of Group Director for Community & Children’s

Services.

The Presiding Member advised that the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Market Stability Report would be considered at this point and out of sequence with the agenda as the Group Director Community & Children’s Services would leave the meeting as he is referenced in the report of the Director of Human Resources regarding the appointment of the Chief Executive.

The Director Community & Children’s Services presented the report which provided

an overview of the Market Stability report (MSR) as required under Section 144B of

the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014. The Local Authorities are under

a statutory obligation to produce this assessment every five years and to do so at a

regional level in partnership with the Health Board.

The Director advised that the report provides an assessment of two things, the

sufficiency of care and support in meeting demand in our population and the stability

of the market for regulated services providing care. He added that the information, as

set out in full in the attached appendices, provides a detailed assessment of the

sufficiency and stability across the full range of caring provision covering adults,

children, learning disability, mental health, unpaid carers and others.

The Director suggested that the key findings and recommendations summarised

at section 4 of the report, will need to be considered by the Council and its partners to

inform the Commissioning Strategies and Service development over the next five years

as well as to inform the regional plan by the Regional Partnership Board. Four key

areas were highlighted as areas of focus for Rhondda Cynon Taf Council which are

supported by the evidence within the market stability report and as set out

at 3.3 of the report.

In conclusion, the Director Community & Children’s Services referred Members to the

recommendations, particularly that Members endorse the market stability report for

submission to Welsh Government in accordance with the Council’s statutory duties.

The Service Director Democratic Services & Communication confirmed that at its 

recent meeting, members of the Overview & Scrutiny determined to undertake

pre scrutiny of the matters identified in the Cabinet work programme which relate to

residential care.

It was RESOLVED to:

          1. Note the key messages and recommendations, and

·       Endorse the Regional Market Stability report;

·       Endorse the following short to medium term strategic priorities for Rhondda Cynon Taff arising from the MSR:

                i.         A strategic review of accommodation with care for vulnerable people to ensure future provision is meeting the needs of people with complex needs identified in the MSR and our facilities are fully utilised;

              ii.         Strengthen the Council’s response to meeting its placement sufficiency duty for children looked after by increasing local not-for-profit provision (both residential and fostering) to meet the needs of children closer to home;

             iii.         Work with providers to develop sustainable integrated models of service for community-based services, including domiciliary care, to address workforce pressures; and

             iv.         Increase the availability of respite services for both adults and children.

(Note: Councillor M Rees-Jones who had previously declared a personal and prejudicial interest left the meeting for the duration of the item, Minute No.6 refers).