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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
AGREED to note the information.
AGREED to note the information.
AGREED to note the contents of the report, and to present feedback on the item to the Cabinet.
AGREED to note the contents of the report and the levels of activity within the Local Authority.
AGREED to note the report and for a further report to be added to the Forward Work Programme outlining the breakdown of costs of running the Council’s Wellbeing Centres.
AGREED to defer the item to the next meeting on 24 October 2025 due to time constraints and Members’ availability.
AGREED to defer the item to the next meeting on 24 October 2025 due to time constraints and Members’ availability.
i. Councillor Elaine Evans and Carl Worrall apologised for their inability to attend the meeting. ii. Councillor Alun Williams, Cabinet Member for Through Age and Wellbeing apologised for his inability to attend the meeting.
There were no disclosures of Personal and Prejudicial Interests (including whipping declarations) from Committee Members.
The Chair stated a special meeting of the Healthier Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee would be held on 24 October 2025.
Decision as recorded
AGREED to note the information.
The Chair welcomed representatives from Barcud and Wales & West Housing Association (WWHA) to the meeting. Sara Woodall, Director of Communities, Barcud provided a presentation to the Committee outlining the Registered Social Landlord’s (RSL) approach to dealing with Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB): · Context · Process (reporting ASB and categorising cases) · Case Studies · Our ‘asks’ Members were provided with the opportunity to ask questions which were answered by representatives from Barcud and WWHA. The main points raised were as follows: · Ceredigion County Council held the Housing Register and all applications for social housing were assessed in accordance with the Commons Allocations Policy. Council officers confirmed that historic ASB and recent references were considered during the decision-making process. Representatives from the RSLs noted there were challenges at times with allocations and the level of information available that would enable them to mitigate the risk (e.g. lifestyle clashes) and impact on tenants and the wider community. · Members shared their frustration when trying to report a problem e.g. suspicion of drugs, as they were often referred from one agency to another for support. RSL representatives explained that lower-level cases of ASB were often more difficult to address due to not meeting the criminal threshold and being lower on the police agenda. It was suggested that agencies worked closer together to ensure prevention and early intervention was in place for tenants and the wider community. It was highlighted that if a service user had capacity, they had a choice whether to engage with substance and mental health support. · Both RSLs highlighted the challenges, costs and the long process of taking legal action against ASB, and the impact on communities due to this. Eviction was considered serious, and Courts did not take this decision lightly. It was noted that unkempt homes and gardens were not subject to a possession order, however, in Powys, Barcud worked closely with the local authority’s fly-tipping team to manage some of the issues. · RSLs were often guided by the police in determining the risk to the public, however, risk assessments were often not shared with agencies. Due to this, RSLs had to regularly query the reasons for decisions such as during granting a tenant bail. · Barcud currently had 2 ASB Officers (one in Ceredigion and one in Powys), who were supported by Housing Officers. Monthly meetings were held to discuss ASB cases with some cases reported to the Board. · Members highlighted it was key to remember that most social housing tenants caused no problems and contributed positively to the local community. It was acknowledged that tenants who caused issues at times were often the most vulnerable in society. · Members were reminded to report any concerns to the relevant RSL and to complete Dyfed Powys Police’s 111 online reporting form. Both RSLs clarified that their employees were aware of the reporting processes in place if any concerns were raised during visits and calls. · It was noted that if the ‘intentionally test’ was removed from legislation as was being considered by Welsh Government, it would possibly lead to further challenges for local authorities and their partners. · Local Authority Officers welcomed the suggestion to discuss the matters raised at today’s meeting by both RSLs in further detail. The Chair thanked representatives from Barcud and WWHA for their attendance and for an informative presentation. It was AGREED to note the information.
Decision as recorded
AGREED to note the information.
Donna Pritchard, Corporate Lead Officer: Porth Gofal explained that the Health and Social Care Regional Integration Fund (RIF) was a 5-year fund from April 2022 to March 2027 that was created to facilitate sustainable system change through the integration of health and social care services. Following a presentation to the Committee on 22.01.2025, it was requested that further information was presented at a later date on the 14 projects currently supported via RIF grant funding in Ceredigion. An overview of the ‘Grow your own social workers’ and ‘Perinatal Mental Health Support’ projects as outlined in the report was provided to the Committee. Members were provided with the opportunity to ask questions which were answered by Officers. The main points raised were as follows: · Officers explained that there had been a reduction in the number applying for Social Worker courses nationally, and that this possibly reflected the challenges and complexity of the work. In Ceredigion, it was key that the correct people applied and were selected for the ‘Grow your own social workers’ project, which had proved successful to date. Securing funding for training and Social Worker degrees was challenging and Officers were in regular contact with Social Care Wales and Welsh Government to ensure the Council was able to meet the demand. Several Council services were involved with the implementation of the degree and it was key that any courses met the needs of the local authority and that employees were monitored and supported appropriately during and following completion of courses. · With the RIF fund due to end in March 2027, there was uncertainty on its future until WG had a new administration in place, however, project leads would review the projects with the expectation there would be something set in place to replace it. · In 2024-2025, the peri-natal mental health nurse which was funded for 1 day a week received 17 referrals, with 100% satisfied with their experience with the service. It was AGREED to note the information.
Decision as recorded
AGREED to note the contents of the report, and to present feedback on the item to the Cabinet.
Lynne Regan, Team Manager explained that the report on the changes implemented in the processes used to authorise DoLS for some residents of Ceredigion who lived in care homes, and who were under continuous supervision and control, not free to leave and were not able to consent to these arrangements had previously been presented to the Through Age and Wellbeing Board and at their request, was to be presented to this Scrutiny committee. An overview of the background of DoLS and issues with the previous process as outlined in the report was provided. Last year, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire worked collaboratively to develop a new process for DoLS and started with the premise that the primary objective was to provide essential safeguards and protection of rights for a greater number of people, without losing sight of the person or of quality. It was identified that the growing backlog of renewing existing DoLS authorisations was an area that could be improved by adopting the ethos of LPS within the current legislative framework of DoLS. The current processes were scrutinised and recently published views of experts in the field of DoLS3 were considered. Two additional pathways for renewing DoLS authorisations were developed dependent on a person’s situation. This relied on robust criteria to ensure that the type and depth of assessment was proportionate to a person’s needs. Each of the three local authorities’ legal teams gave confirmation that the process remained within the remit of the current legislation for DoLS. It was noted that Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire had implemented the new process in July 2024 successfully and were in the process of developing a formal evaluation, however, feedback had been positive to date. Ceredigion had implemented the changes in April 2025, and data was being collected to analyse its effectiveness. Audrey Somerton-Edwards, Executive Corporate Lead Officer: Porth Cynnal explained that it was important that the update be shared with Members to show the very complex and sensitive nature of the work and the processes the Mental Capacity Act Team had to engage with. It was noted that Lynne Regan had been recognised nationally for her work. Members were provided with the opportunity to ask questions which were answered by Officers. The main points raised were as follows: · The Chair stated it was great to see the Corporate Lead Officers working together on matters, and it showed that the TAW Programme was working well. · It was noted that this specific legislation only applied to people in hospitals and care homes. At present, if there was a need to seek a deprivation of liberty for a person living at home or in supported accommodation, an application would need to be submitted to the Court of Protection and had to be renewed yearly. This arrangement was not only costly but also required significant officer time. It was AGREED to note the contents of the report, and to present feedback on the item to the Cabinet.
Decision as recorded
AGREED to note the contents of the report and the levels of activity within the Local Authority.
Elizabeth Upcott, Corporate Manager: Quality Assurance and Safeguarding presented the quarterly report to the Committee as part of an ongoing examination of the topic to ensure the Local Authority fulfilled its duties as the Corporate Parent. The report included national and local standards and targets used to measure outcomes for looked-after children (LAC) and care leavers at the time of their review meeting and included Welsh Government (WG) Performance Indicators. Based on the information available and the views expressed during the review meeting, the ISRO made a professional judgement about the effectiveness of a child/young person’s care plan in meeting their needs and could recommend changes to the care plan. During the review meeting, the ISRO considered whether the child/young person required assistance to identify relevant other people to obtain legal advice/take proceedings on their behalf. This action was not deemed necessary for any young people by the ISRO in the period. In addition, the ISRO had regard as to whether the child/young person’s human rights were being breached in any way and, if so, could make a referral to CAFCASS Cymru. This action was not deemed necessary for any child/young person in the period. Elizabeth Upcott proceeded to present a Summary of the Key Points noted on page 2 of the report. It was noted that an update on Children’s Safe Accommodation would be presented to the Committee in October 2025. Officers were congratulated for providing the summary of key points as always in the reports, and it was pleasing to hear of one young person’s decision to progress to study A-levels following success at their GCSEs. It was AGREED to note the contents of the report and the levels of activity within the Local Authority.
Decision as recorded
AGREED to note the report and for a further report to be added to the Forward Work Programme outlining the breakdown of costs of running the Council’s Wellbeing Centres.
Carwyn Young, Corporate Manager: Wellbeing Centres provided a presentation to the Committee outlining the following: · Who are we and the Staffing Structure · Autumn 2021 Public engagement on “Ceredigion Sport and Recreational Activity Strategy 2014-2020". · Response to Public engagement exercise & service Strategic Planning Framework · Contribution to the Corporate Strategy 2022-27 & to the 12 Challenges identified in Ceredigion TAW Strategy · Summary of Provision (Universal & Focussed Services) · Wellbeing Centres Service: Headline Budget Figures · Value for Money, Capital Investment & Headline Achievements since 2022-23 · Service Challenges, Future Priorities & Opportunities & Changing Peoples’ Lives Councillor Catrin M.S. Davies, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Customer Services thanked Officers for the presentation and noted that she was very proud of the service’s work and commitment. Members were provided with the opportunity to ask questions which were answered by Officers. The main points raised were as follows: · Officers clarified that a feasibility study was to be completed by March 2026 in relation to Cardigan Wellbeing Centre. Following this, a wider consultation would be undertaken. · Members thanked the service for their work. In moving forward, Officers explained that work was being done to develop and improve communication and marketing of the Wellbeing Centres and Porth Cymorth Cynnar as a whole. · The team reviewed their services and programmes regularly and any changes were subject to instructor capacity and consideration to the provision of local community groups and businesses to avoid competition. Improving provision for young people was key and to ensure there was activities on offer during school holidays, although this could be challenging due to competing with other activities. · It was noted that decisions around key localities of services was a decision taken by a previous political administration. It was AGREED to note the report and for a further report to be added to the Forward Work Programme outlining the breakdown of costs of running the Council’s Wellbeing Centres.
Decision as recorded
AGREED to defer the item to the next meeting on 24 October 2025 due to time constraints and Members’ availability.
It was AGREED to defer the item to the next meeting on 24 October 2025 due to time constraints and Members’ availability.
Decision as recorded
AGREED to defer the item to the next meeting on 24 October 2025 due to time constraints and Members’ availability.
It was AGREED to defer the item to the next meeting on 24 October 2025 due to time constraints and Members’ availability.
It was AGREED to defer the item to the next meeting on 24 October 2025 due to time constraints and Members’ availability.
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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