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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED the report be received.
RESOLVED to note: 5.1 the potential implications as part of the future Council’s budget setting process associated with population demand pressures and market shaping initiatives which would be required to meet future care and support needs within Social Care Services. 5.2 the likelihood of capital plans being developed for future approval. 5.3 that there would continue to be a revenue implication annually as the demographics of the county change.
RESOLVED that the Annual Report on Adult Safeguarding and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (Dols) (2023/24 & 2024/25) report be received.
RESOLVED that the Social Care & Health Scrutiny Committee’s Annual Report 2024/25 be approved.
RESOLVED that the Forward Work Plan for the Health & Social Services Scrutiny Committee for 2025/26 be confirmed.
RESOLVED that the list of forthcoming items to be considered at the next scheduled meeting on the 24 July, 2025 be noted.
An apology for absence was received from Councillor F. Walters.
There were no declarations of personal interest or of any prohibited party whips.
The Chair advised that no public questions had been received.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED the report be received.
The Committee received for consideration the Draft Local Authority Social Services Annual report for 2024/25. The report noted that there was a statutory requirement for the Director of Social Services to report annually to Council on the delivery and performance as well as plans for the improvement of the whole range of Social Services. The Cabinet Member for Health and Social Services advised that this provided the Committee with the opportunity to question the content. It was noted that the report was still in draft and would be further proofread and reformatted prior to completion. The report examined each Service area within Social Care and showed how service strategies, actions, targets and service risks would be addressed and delivered operationally by the service this year based on the approved budget. A number of questions and suggestions were raised to which officers responded. The main matters were as follows: · In response to a question regarding increasing suicide rates, the Head of Adult Social Care advised that a significant amount of work was done at a national level in collating information and trends and that this could be shared with the Committee. It was advised that there was a Suicide Prevention Plan (published on the 1st April), a Welsh Government delivery plan and a new research hub that had been set up with Swansea University being one of the core partners. In terms of local support, it was noted that there were regional safeguarding arrangements in place including a well-established rapid response to suspected suicides. The Head of Adult Social Care stated that within the NHS there was a service called 111 press 2 which is immediate access to care and support for people with any mental distress. Additionally, the Head of Children and Families advised that a grant funding Suicide Prevention Officer role had been created. · In response to concern regarding the response to the Care and Support Survey the Head of Children and Families advised that they were actively seeking views of parents. She advised that she had personally met with parents and that there were already further meetings planned providing opportunities to hear the views of parents. · Concern was raised regarding vulnerable adults placed in supported living accommodation such as HMO’s. The Senior Manager Adult & Corporate Safeguarding advised that safeguarding procedures were in places and that the inspectorate monitored these arrangements. It was noted that all commissioned services staff were aware of the procedures and trained in to raising concerns regarding care provision. · It was asked if the outreach bus service could be extended. The Acting Head of Integrated Services advised that she was not aware of the bus but would find out if the service could be upscaled. · It was asked if more details could be included in the Welsh Language section of the report. Information such as consideration of the Welsh language in the Care Academi (Courses available in Welsh), timelines for actions and data on how many requests received for services in Welsh. Officers confirmed that this would be addressed in future iterations of the report. · The Committee noted that there was limited information in the report regarding the work that the Authority undertakes regarding substance misuse. The Head of Adult Social Care advised that this service was vitally important and agreed that there was not enough information in the report to reflect the work being done. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED the report be received.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to note: 5.1 the potential implications as part of the future Council’s budget setting process associated with population demand pressures and market shaping initiatives which would be required to meet future care and support needs within Social Care Services. 5.2 the likelihood of capital plans being developed for future approval. 5.3 that there would continue to be a revenue implication annually as the demographics of the county change.
The Committee received a report which provided a high-level overview of the demographic demand pressures, market sustainability issues and workforce challenges within adult and older people social care services, including the potential financial implications for Carmarthenshire County Council. It was noted that the Government’s White Paper “Rebalancing Care and Support” and its policy ambitions provided a strong strategic context for shaping the market within social care services. This, combined with increasing demands as detailed in the Population Needs Assessment (PNA) for West Wales, and market sustainability and stability concerns had been captured in the West Wales Market Stability Report (MSR), forming the evidence base for a case for change. The Sustainability Plan brought together the high-level supply and demand position statement in relation to the care and support for older people and working age adults. It considered current supply and demand profile, the drivers for change, the challenges in meeting these demands, the impact of doing nothing, potential market risks and a range of proposals to mitigate market and demand pressures over the next five to ten years. The Cabinet Member for Health and Social Services advised that Carmarthenshire’s total population was projected to rise by 3,469 between 2025 and 2035 (from 190,935 to 194,404). The most significant demographic pressure would be the number of older people aged 85yrs + which was predicted to increase by 41% over the same period. It is this population cohort which makes up the bulk of the demand within Social Services. The Housing Needs Assessment for older people identified the additional provision of accommodation units required up to 2035 to meet the projected demand. This combined with market changes including the closure of three care homes in Carmarthenshire highlighted the shortfall in residential care accommodation, in particular nursing and residential care with dementia. The report highlighted that in relation to working age adults – profound and multiple learning disabilities, it was estimated to increase by 1.8% /year. There would be a continued drive to support people to live in their local communities and maximise independence which would require a significant increase in supported housing. A number of questions were raised to which officers responded. The main matters were as follows: · It was asked what the financial implications were when shifting from residential care to supported living. The Head of Strategic Joint Commissioning advised that this was a strategic approach which aims to promote independence. The Head of Housing advised that the cost of shared lives was approximately half of that of residential care. · In response to a question regarding the timelines for supported living at Pentre Awel, the Head of Housing advised that Zones 2 and 3 timescales were being discussed and would be confirmed shortly. · When asked if the plans for a care home in Carmarthen were progressing, the Head of Strategic Commissioning advised that she did not have the details to hand but would advise the committee following the meeting. · In response to a concern raised regarding the Health Board spend on funded nursing care, the Acting Head of Integrated Services advised that the spend comparison suggested that people in the system were not receiving the most appropriate level of care. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED to note: 5.1 the potential implications as part of the future Council’s budget setting process associated with population demand pressures and market shaping initiatives which would be required to meet future care and support needs within Social Care Services. 5.2 the likelihood of capital plans being developed for future approval. 5.3 that there would continue to be a revenue implication annually as the demographics of the county change.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the Annual Report on Adult Safeguarding and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (Dols) (2023/24 & 2024/25) report be received.
The Committee received a report which detailed the role, functions and activities undertaken by the Authority in relation to Adult Safeguarding and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards during the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years. The purpose of this report was to provide information on the role, functions and activities undertaken by the Local Authority in relation to Adult Safeguarding and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. The report summarised the national, regional and local context of adult safeguarding and provided information including: • National and Regional context • Corporate Safeguarding arrangements • Adult Safeguarding and DoLS operational arrangements • Performance and activity Information It was noted that the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act and the Wales Safeguarding Procedures (Statutory Guidance) had been firmly embedded into practice. The Mid and West Wales Regional Safeguarding continues to monitor compliance with national legislation and policy, facilitates Child and Adult Practice reviews (now known as Single Unified Safeguarding Reviews in Wales) and oversees any associated learning and improvement activity. It facilitates regional training events and shares national, regional and local good practice. It was noted that the Local authority was the statutory organisation responsible for effectively responding to safeguarding reports relating to adults at risk and for authorising Deprivations of Liberty within care home settings. The Local Authority undertakes this role in close partnership with Dyfed Powys Police, Hywel Dda University Health Board and other statutory and non-statutory organisations. A number of questions were raised to which officers responded. The main matters were as follows: • In response to a query regarding violence against women the Senior Manager Adult & Corporate Safeguarding advised that the data was held by the police and that a report had recently been received that she would share with the Committee. It was noted that there was a large programme of work being undertaken across the region. • Following a query made in respect of the 7 day timescale of safeguarding enquiries, it was clarified that the 7 day was clear but it was the expectations of what needed to be achieved within the 7 days that was ambiguous. Work was on going to provide clarity to practitioners on what needs to be established and to understand the thresholds. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the Annual Report on Adult Safeguarding and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (Dols) (2023/24 & 2024/25) report be received.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the Social Care & Health Scrutiny Committee’s Annual Report 2024/25 be approved.
The Committee received an Annual Report detailing the work of the Committee during the 2024/25 municipal year. The report had been prepared in accordance with Article 6.2 of the Council’s Constitution which requires Scrutiny Committees to prepare an annual report giving an account of the Committee’s activities over the previous year. The report provided an overview of the Committee’s work programme and the key issues considered during the year. The report also provided details of development sessions and site visits arranged for the Committee as well as attendance data. In presenting the report, the Chair extended his thanks to the Committee members and the Cabinet Member for Health and Social Services. The Committee also extended their thanks to all staff for their commitment and tireless work in providing support and care for those in need during the challenging times. In response to a concern regarding the lack of public engagement, the Chair advised that this was something that the Committee would need to discuss during a development session. Additionally, it was asked if figures for the webcast viewing figures could be provided. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the Social Care & Health Scrutiny Committee’s Annual Report 2024/25 be approved.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the Forward Work Plan for the Health & Social Services Scrutiny Committee for 2025/26 be confirmed.
The Committee considered its Forward Work Plan for 2025/26, which had been prepared in accordance with the Council’s Constitution which required Scrutiny Committees to develop and publish annual forward work programmes identifying issues and reports to be considered at meetings during the course of the municipal year. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the Forward Work Plan for the Health & Social Services Scrutiny Committee for 2025/26 be confirmed.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the list of forthcoming items to be considered at the next scheduled meeting on the 24 July, 2025 be noted.
RESOLVED that the list of forthcoming items to be considered at the next scheduled meeting on the 24 July, 2025 be noted.
UNANAMOUSLY RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on the 30 April, 2025 be signed as a correct record.
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