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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED that the report be endorsed, subject to inclusion of sentence explaining the delay for the Task and Finish report.
RESOLVED that the report be received.
RESOLVED that : 6.1 the report be received 6.2 a development session on sickness trends be added to the Committees Forward Work Programme
RESOLVED that : 7.1 the report be received. 7.2 the Committee receive an update within six months
RESOLVED that the report be received.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the PSB meeting held on the 25th March, 2025 be received.
RESOLVED that the explanation for the non-submission be noted.
RESOLVED that the report detailing progress in relation to actions, requests or referrals emerging from previous scrutiny meetings be noted.
RESOLVED that the list of forthcoming items to be considered at the next scheduled meeting be received.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors L. Davies Evans, N. Evans and D Price.
Councillor Minute Number Nature of Interest A. Evans 5. Item 5 – 2024/25 end of Year Performance Report (01/04/2024-31/03/2025) Relevant to this Scrutiny Family member is on long term sickness and one target is on sickness – personal A. Evans 6. Item 6 – Sickness Absence Monitoring Report – End of Year 2024/25 Family member is on long term sickness – personal and prejudicial There were no declarations of any prohibited party whips.
No public questions had been received.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the report be endorsed, subject to inclusion of sentence explaining the delay for the Task and Finish report.
Scrutiny Committee Annual Report which detailed the work undertaken by the Committee during the 2024/25 municipal year. The report had been prepared in accordance with Article 6.2 of the Council’s Constitution and provided an overview of the work programme and key issues addressed, whilst also incorporating any issues referred to, or from, the Cabinet, Task and Finish reviews, development sessions and member attendance. The Cabinet member for Organisation and Workforce informed the Committee that the work of the scrutiny function had been plauded at the recent Performance Panel Assessment. Amongst the issues and queries raised on the report were the following: · In response to a query regarding the reason for a delay for the Task and Finish report being presented to Committee, the Chair informed the Committee that there was a delay due to the recent departure of the Marketing and Media Manager. The interim Manager had been contacted to ensure completion. It was suggested to include a sentence explaining the delay, into the report. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the report be endorsed, subject to inclusion of sentence explaining the delay for the Task and Finish report.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the report be received.
[Note: Councillor A. Evans having earlier declared an interest, re-iterated his declaration, remained for duration and voted.] The Committee considered a report for monitoring purposes, on Quarter 4 / End of Year 2024/25 of the Actions and Measures linked to the Authority’s Corporate Strategy and the Well-Being Objectives. The following issues and queries were raised on the report: · In regard to the off-target performance, it was observed that majority of the off targets were located within theme 5 - Core Business Enablers. In commenting that it may be attributed to the recruitment freeze and efficiency savings, the reason was sought. The Assistant Chief Executive (People, Digital & Policy) stated that reasons were detailed within the report. It was further commented that reassurance was sought that the ‘Core Business Enablers’, which in the main included administrative and frontline services, were being provided with the same level of support to be enable work to be done towards set targets. · The Assistant Chief Executive advised that the current staff survey would be closing on the 18th July, 2025. Progress had been made over the past 3 years and officers were aware of necessary improvements and had been holding one to one’s with members of staff to gain further insight. The conclusions would be reported back to committee. · Reference was made to the measure on the % of management responses received within 15 working days of the draft Internal Audit report being issued. It was asked what work was being undertaken to improve this? The Head of Revenues and Financial Compliance explained that whilst responses were being pursued in a timely manner it was acknowledged that other pressing priorities at certain stages of the year cause targets to be missed. A report would be provided to the next Governance and Audit committee looking at patters for non-response. Members suggested for the number of exercises carried out across the authority during each quarter, be included in the narrative for members to compare year on year in future reports. · It was highlighted that the % of e-learning training on Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse, Sexual Violence (VAWDASV) completed by staff, especially staff at schools, remained low. It was asked how this could be improved? The Assistant Chief Executive (People, Digital & Policy), in acknowledging that the progress to date was not as good as it should have been and had also been raised at the safeguarding group. It was explained that the new platform named ‘Thinqi’ had been introduced in all schools and there should be a greater improvement during the next quarter. · Reference was made regarding the vendor being unable to resolve the issues identified with their software in a timely manner. It was asked what had changed for the existing provider now being able to deliver? The Chief Digital Officer explained that due to staff being upskilled over the last two years, there was now capability in house to deliver. · Members suggested adding more information into the narrative for the number of user sessions to the County Council website, for members to have more detail on areas being viewed. · Reference was made to the decline in deadlines for complaints compared to 2023/2024. It was asked if the Committee could receive a breakdown on departments not responding on time. The Assistant Chief Executive (People, Digital & Policy) stated that the data would be shared by email with the Committee post meeting. · Reference was made regarding future funding for HWB Bach y Wlad, which was due to conclude at the end of the year. It was asked if bids would be submitted for the service to continue moving forward. The Assistant Chief Executive (People, Digital & Policy) stated that the service was invaluable and an SPF bid would be submitted. · In regard to the target showing an increase on last year’s numbers for face to face appointments at one of the three town centre HWBs, it was asked if there would be enough resources available to support this going forward. The Assistant Chief Executive (People, Digital & Policy) stated that it was necessary to look at way the authority currently delivers and work collaboratively with Communications and IT officers to see what capabilities are out there for AI to deal with queries, to make sure customers receive detailed responses. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the report be received.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that : 6.1 the report be received 6.2 a development session on sickness trends be added to the Committees Forward Work Programme
[Note: Councillor A. Evans having earlier declared an interest, re-iterated his declaration and left the meeting during its consideration] The Committee considered a report which provided detailed sickness absence data for the cumulative period ending 31st March 2025 with an overview of the employee wellbeing support provided. Amongst the issues raised on the report were the following: · In regard to the service areas showing a higher rate of absence compared to the Authority average, it was asked if there were trends for the departments shown in red. The Assistant Chief Executive (People, Digital & Policy) stated that a deep dive would be undertaken to gain a better insight into absences and details would be discussed at Corporate Management Team level. Members requested a development session once the information would be available. · It was asked if there were monitoring systems in place to track sickness triggers following a bank holiday/sporting weekend? The HR Manager (Business Partnering) confirmed that trigger reports are sent to mangers, who also have access to employee calendars to monitor triggers. If there are regular triggers, there are established procedures in place to follow. · It was stated that the Employee Wellbeing Team were being proactive to enable staff to remain in work. To support the small team, a number of volunteer Wellbeing Champions were in place to help provide and facilitate peer to peer support groups. This has proven to be successful with positive feedback. A significant training programme is provided for managers to help identify and act on early intervention. Since Covid there has been an increase with employees suffering from mental health issues and staff can access treatment through the occupational health department within the authority. · It was stated that the occupational health department can fast track employees to consultants. If staff wished to have private treatment, it was noted that the authority had negotiated a special rate for staff with IGP services located at St David’s Park · It was asked how homeworking and hybrid working was managed in terms of identifying support and managing sickness. The Employee Wellbeing Manager explained that Managers were provided with significant level of appropriate training to enable them to manage a hybrid team. Sensitive conversations were encouraged to be undertaken face-to-face rather than virtually, this enabled a more personal approach and often assisted in identifying and resolving issues prior to any potential escalation through the absence management system. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that : 6.1 the report be received 6.2 a development session on sickness trends be added to the Committees Forward Work Programme
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that : 7.1 the report be received. 7.2 the Committee receive an update within six months
The Committee considered a report on retention rates for apprentices and number of work experience placements within the authority between 2022 - 2025. A total of 341 applications had been received in response to the recent advertisement for 19 apprenticeship positions. Members expressed several inquiries regarding the report and requested additional details to enhance their understanding. RESOLVED that : 7.1 the report be received. 7.2 the Committee receive an update within six months
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the report be received.
The Committee considered a report reviewing the Authority’s approach to transformation and ensure that the programme is aligned with the aims and objectives of the new Corporate Strategy. The Transformation strategy was reported to Cabinet in February 2023. The following are the 8 thematic priorities contained within the Transformation Strategy : · Efficiencies and Value for Money · Income and Commercialisation · Service Design & Improvement · Workforce · Workplace · Customers and Digital · Decarbonisation · Schools It was highlighted that the recent Panel Performance Assessment (PPA) acknowledged the good work and progress of transformation within the authority, however it was emphasized that more needed to be done and corporately it would be essential to adopt new approaches. Members noted that a workshop was scheduled for July 23rd, 2025, aimed at informing all members about opportunities to engage with AI within the authority. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the report be received.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the minutes of the PSB meeting held on the 25th March, 2025 be received.
The Committee received the minutes of the meeting of the Carmarthenshire Public Services Board [PSB] held on the 25th March, 2025. The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 required that a designated local government scrutiny committee was appointed to scrutinise the work of the PSB. In Carmarthenshire, the Council’s Policy & Resources Scrutiny Committee had been designated as the relevant scrutiny committee. In response to a query regarding Committee members attending future PSB meetings to observe, the Corporate Policy and Partnership Manager reported that a list of meeting dates would be circulated to members. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the minutes of the PSB meeting held on the 25th March, 2025 be received.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the explanation for the non-submission be noted.
The Committee received the Non-Submission report in regards to the Treasury Management and Prudential Indicator Report 2024-2025, Public Generative AI Policy and the Better Broadband update and noted the explanation and revised submission date of 5th November 2025. RESOLVED that the explanation for the non-submission be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the report detailing progress in relation to actions, requests or referrals emerging from previous scrutiny meetings be noted.
The Committee received a report which detailed the progress achieved in relation to requests or referrals emerging from previous meetings of the Corporate Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee during the 2024/25 municipal year. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the report detailing progress in relation to actions, requests or referrals emerging from previous scrutiny meetings be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the list of forthcoming items to be considered at the next scheduled meeting be received.
UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the list of forthcoming items to be considered at the next scheduled meeting be received.
UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on the 16th April, 2025 be signed as a correct record.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.
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