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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 minutes of the meeting of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 12 May 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Informal Meeting of Overview and Scrutiny Committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs held on 2 June 2025 be noted.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Conwy Opportunities Board held on 10 June 2025 be noted.
RESOLVED: That Councillor Hannah Fleet be appointed as the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee representative on the Affordable Housing and Housing Quality, Adaptations and Acquisitions Project Board.
RESOLVED: a) That the progress made to improve the governance and compliance of agency placements be noted. That a report on the costs of employing agency and temporary workers within schools for 2024 and the first quarter of 2025 be provided to the Finance and Resourced Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
It was proposed and seconded that Councillor Chris Hughes be appointed as Vice-Chair of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2025/2026. RESOLVED: That Councillor Chris Hughes be re-appointed as Vice-Chair of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2025/2026.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Cheryl Carlise (Chair) and Louise Emery.
None.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 12 May 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.
The minutes of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 12 May 2025 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 12 May 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Informal Meeting of Overview and Scrutiny Committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs held on 2 June 2025 be noted.
The minutes of the Informal Meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs meeting held on 2 June 2025 were submitted for information. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Informal Meeting of Overview and Scrutiny Committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs held on 2 June 2025 be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Conwy Opportunities Board held on 10 June 2025 be noted.
The minutes of the Conwy Opportunities Board held on 10 June 2025 were submitted. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Conwy Opportunities Board held on 10 June 2025 be noted.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That Councillor Hannah Fleet be appointed as the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee representative on the Affordable Housing and Housing Quality, Adaptations and Acquisitions Project Board.
It was proposed and seconded that Councillor Hannah Fleet be appointed to the Affordable Housing and Housing Quality, Adaptations and Acquisitions Project Board. RESOLVED: That Councillor Hannah Fleet be appointed as the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee representative on the Affordable Housing and Housing Quality, Adaptations and Acquisitions Project Board.
Members of the Strategic School Planning Board would be appointed by the Cabinet Member for Education.
The Cabinet Member for Audit, Policy and Performance introduced the Corporate Performance Self-Assessment from October 2024 to March 2025 and the Strategy, Performance and Engagement Manager highlighted key points from within the report. The following was discussed: • Reassurance was provided that, there were no concerns in respect of safeguarding training. It was recognised that the measure was flawed and needed to be reviewed as it failed to accurately reflect completion rates or agency staff training. • It was suggested that additional scrutiny was required in respect of housing and homelessness as this was a significant issue faced by residents, which was not reflected within the measure. - Work was ongoing to improve housing and homelessness issues faced by residents. - The average length of stay in temporary accommodation had reduced. - Whilst Bed and Breakfast stays had increased, this was predominantly for single occupants, who were the most challenging demographic to rehome. - Service Performance Reviews allowed for further discussions. • In response to concerns raised regarding the Youth Justice Service indicators, the Head of Children, Family and Safeguarding advised that data was provided to organisations such as Welsh Government and Care Inspectorate Wales on a regular basis. - The Annual Youth Justice Plan, the Director of Social Care and Education’s Annual Report, the Community Safety Partnership report and the Corporate Safeguarding Annual Action Plan were available for Members to view. - Concerns were raised regarding safeguarding and anti-social behaviour involving young people in Conwy County. - Reference was made to Baroness Casey's audit of group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse. - It was important to ensue that evidence was being collated in order to seek to address such issues. • Data in respect of the recruitment of Welsh essential posts would be shared with Members. It was suggested that Conwy County Borough Council (CCBC) consider publishing a quarterly Public Performance Score Card, similar to that of Edinburgh Council, as an indicator of performance. • Concerns were raised in respect of sickness absence. - A working group had been established and would report to Informal Cabinet. - Reasonable adjustments could be put in place in order to seek to prevent staff absence. - Managers were required to undertake attendance management training. - Whilst working habits had changed, there was no correlation between hybrid working and sickness absence. - A staff wellbeing plan was in place and if necessary, a stress risk assessment was carried out. - Staff could be referred to occupational health to assist with their return to work. - Staff had access to the Vivup service, which offered advice and counselling. • Staff turnover was in line with other Local Authorities. - A recruitment project had been established and the process for vacancy approval had been streamlined. - A project would commence in September 2025 to review the accessibility of job roles for those with a learning disability. • CCBC’s excellent recycling rates were commended. • It was confirmed that secondary school attendance had improved. • Concerns were raised in respect of missed bin collections. - Additional resources had been provided to Environment, Roads and Facilities for 2025/2026. - It was noted that, budget allocation was a Member decision. • Data in respect of fly tipping and dog fouling would be provided to Members. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: That Cabinet considers the report and agrees any further actions to address performance related issues; and recommend to Council the approval of the Performance Self-Assessment 2024 to 2025.
The Cabinet Member for Audit, Policy and Performance introduced the Annual Review of Conwy's Programme and Project Management (PPM) Framework, and the Corporate Modernisation Manager highlighted key points from within the report. After reviewing the PPM Framework in 2024/2025, the Corporate Modernisation Team had put forward practice changes to make it simpler, more focused and more efficient. The following was discussed: • Local Member input into programmes and projects was essential. - Local Members could be co-opted onto Project Boards. - The revised framework allowed for input from Local Area Forums. - A Protocol for Member / Officer Relations was in place. • The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) had advised that the Council should be more agile in its decision making. • It was suggested that a lesson’s learnt report be compiled following the implementation of the new framework. • It was proposed and seconded that; - Members be given access to Programme and Project Board meetings, minutes and agendas. - That a review of the revised framework be carried out in October 2026. - That an invitation be extended to Local Membes to sit on each Programme and Project Board. Following a vote it was: RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: a) That Members are able to view programme and Project Board meetings and have access to agendas and minutes of those meetings. b) That a review of the revised Programme and Project Management Framework be carried out in October 2026. c) That a Local Member and / or a back bencher be included as a member of each Board. d) That, subject to the above amendments, Conwy’s updated Programme and Project Management Framework and the changes therein be approved e) That the closure of the Conwy Opportunities Board and its replacement with existing governance arrangements be approved.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: a) That the progress made to improve the governance and compliance of agency placements be noted. That a report on the costs of employing agency and temporary workers within schools for 2024 and the first quarter of 2025 be provided to the Finance and Resourced Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
The Cabinet Member for Audit, Policy and Performance introduced a report on the managed service provision for agency and temporary workers and the Principal HR Business Partner highlighted key points from within the report. The report provided a follow up on the progress and implementation of the managed service provision for agency and temporary workers. The following was discussed: • The revised system provided real-time data on usage and spend. • The high level of agency and temporary workers within Environment Roads and Facilities (ERF) was due to some roles being seasonal and the need for cover within refuse and cleaning services. - Agency workers were paid the same rate as those employed by Conwy County Borough Council (CCBC) within the same role. - Some agency workers had been recruited into permanent roles. - Casual refuse worker vacancies were being advertised in order to reduce the amount of agency staff. - Temporary workers were being utilised for cleaning of public conveniences and street cleansing, whilst a consultation of the service was carried out. • Concerns that the rate of pay for some ERF frontline roles could impede the recruitment and retention of staff. - The Principal HR Business Partner would provide Members with data on rates of pay. - Council staff pay was set at a nationally agreed level. • Savings of £420,000 had been realised in respect of agency fees as well as a reduction in staff time. • It was proposed and seconded that a report on the costs of employing agency and temporary workers within schools for 2024 and the first quarter of 2025 be provided to the Finance and Resourced Overview and Scrutiny Committee. - The Strategic Director – Finance and Resources advised that, whilst such a report would be informative, schoolGoverning Bodies were responsible for their own finances. Following a vote it was: RESOLVED: a) That the progress made to improve the governance and compliance of agency placements be noted. That a report on the costs of employing agency and temporary workers within schools for 2024 and the first quarter of 2025 be provided to the Finance and Resourced Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
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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