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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 Informal Meeting of Overview and Scrutiny Chairs and Vice-Chairs held on 5 September 2022 be noted.
RESOLVED: a) That the Renewal End of Programme report be noted. b) That the Workwise 2020 Project reports progress to the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee three times per annum, with a focus on improving Conwy County Borough Council’s customer service.
RESOLVED: That the Quarter 1 North Wales Growth Deal Performance Report be noted.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Cheryl Carlisle, Chris Hughes and Andrew Wood.
Whilst not declared at this point in the meeting, Councillor Kay Redhead declared an interest in the Agenda Item 9i) – Mid Year Review of Domiciliary and Residential Care Fees, as she worked for a care provider, which provided care to residents in Conwy. As the interest was prejudicial, Councillor Redhead left the meeting whilst this matter was discussed.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- That the minutes of the meeting of the Informal Meeting of Overview and Scrutiny Chairs and Vice-Chairs held on 5 September 2022 be noted.
The minutes of the Informal Meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Chairs and Vice-Chairs meeting held on 5 September 2022 were submitted. RESOLVED- That the minutes of the meeting of the Informal Meeting of Overview and Scrutiny Chairs and Vice-Chairs held on 5 September 2022 be noted.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: a) That the Renewal End of Programme report be noted. b) That the Workwise 2020 Project reports progress to the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee three times per annum, with a focus on improving Conwy County Borough Council’s customer service.
The Leader introduced the Renewal Programme - End of Programme Report and Programme Closure report. The report and appendices provided an in-depth review of the work of the Renewal Programme and what it had achieved. The Corporate Modernisation Manager presented Members with the report. The following points were highlighted: • The Renewal Programme closed at the end of September 2022. As per Conwy County Borough Council’s (CCBC) Programme and Project Management Framework an End of Programme report was produced and was included within Appendix 1 of the report. • The programme had delivered on all of its original objectives and most of the planned benefits had already been delivered, with the rest on target to be achieved by the end of 2023/2024. • Follow up actions for the Renewal Programme included the full implementation of the Workwise 2020 Framework. • Actions would be completed via the Workwise 2020 Project which would remain in place following the programme closure. • Appendix 2 of the report included information in respect of the impact of the hybrid working model on customer service which had been requested by the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee. In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: • Concern was raised in respect of ongoing issues in respect of customer support services. - The Cabinet Member for ERF – Infrastructure advised that there was a lack of resources and that a one stop shop model had been explored. - It was suggested that the use of artificial intelligence bots be revisited. • It was suggested that the low level of complaints received by CCBC was due to the fact that residents did not often formally submit their complaints, due to a lack of time or not being aware of the process. - In response, the Chief Executive advised that compliments and complaints had been reported for many years and felt that in general, residents were happy with the service provided by CCBC. - It was suggested that residents should be encouraged to submit compliments and complaints in order that issues be logged and reviewed. • Concerns were raised in respect of response times from other organisations and the impact this had on issues such as street lighting repairs. - The Chief Executive advised that CCBC, as well as other organisations were experiencing staffing issues and financial constraints. - The Chair advised Members to submit a topic selection form should they wish to discuss the matter further. • In respect of a survey carried out in July 2021, it was noted that positive outcomes from service adaptations due to lockdown mainly related to online services. - The Corporate Modernisation Manager advised that the IT Workstream continued to address broadband and network improvements. • Discussion ensued in respect of the frequency of future Workwise 2020 project progress reports. - It was proposed that updates be provided 3 times per annum, with targeted reports focusing on areas of concern, such as customer service improvement. RESOLVED: a) That the Renewal End of Programme report be noted. b) That the Workwise 2020 Project reports progress to the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee three times per annum, with a focus on improving Conwy County Borough Council’s customer service.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Quarter 1 North Wales Growth Deal Performance Report be noted.
The Leader introduced the quarterly update on progress of the North Wales Growth Deal. The purpose of the report was to present the quarter 1 Growth Deal report and updated Portfolio Risk Register. The Strategic Director - Economy and Place presented Members with the report. The following points were highlighted: • The outline business case for the Enterprise Engineering and Optic Centre project by Wrexham Glyndŵr University had been approved. • The Connecting the Last Few % project had completed its assurance process and had secured endorsements from the Programme Board and Business Delivery Board ahead of presenting the outline business case to the Board for consideration. • Four projects were currently reporting as red due to either risks to the project scope, or significant delays to project timescales: - The Low Carbon Energy Centre of Excellence project was under review due to a change in capital and revenue projections. - The Bodelwyddan Key Strategic Site had been withdrawn due to planning matters. - There was a potential funding gap in respect of the Glynllifon Rural Economy Hub due to escalating capital build costs. - The Llysfasi Net Zero Farm was likely to be funded in a different way and would not continue as part of the Growth Deal. • This quarter had seen the first project-related expenditure in respect of the Digital Signal Processing project. • The Portfolio Risk Register had been updated with a number of changes recorded in the document, including revised risk descriptions, revised scoring and mitigating actions. • The risk profile had remained stable over the past quarter. Affordability remained the biggest risk facing the portfolio due to inflation, supply chain issues and construction costs. • The risk of political change had decreased following the local government elections in May 2022. In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: • Concern was raised in respect of the Bodelwyddan site being withdrawn as there was a need to deliver additional housing. - In response, the Strategic Director - Economy and Place advised that, funding had been allocated to the region, however scrutiny and due diligence was carried out in respect of individual programmes. - Planning officers felt that the most appropriate way of bringing forward additional housing was to create several smaller sites at different locations as opposed to one large site. - The number of jobs estimated at this site would not have been delivered. - The new Local Development Plan would be adopted in 2025 which would determine planning for the site. - Construction was not due to commence until 2030 which would be beyond the timescales of the Growth Deal. - The funding allocated to the site could be utilised for alternative housing projects, however, there was a legal obligation to create jobs and the projects would need to have regional significance. - Assurance was provided that Conwy County Borough Council’s (CCBC) Strategic Planning Policy Manager was part of ongoing discussions. • It was queried as to whether the Growth Deal project team included expertise in securing private investment. - In response, the Strategic Director - Economy and Place advised that utilising private sector investment expertise was being explored. - A meeting had been scheduled for November 2022 and feedback would be provided as part of the next update to the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee. RESOLVED: That the Quarter 1 North Wales Growth Deal Performance Report be noted.
The Cabinet Member for Democracy and Governance introduced the Corporate risk and issues registers. The Corporate Risk Register and Corporate Issues register provided a record of all corporate risks and issues that had been identified throughout the Authority. The Corporate Performance and Improvement Manager presented Members with the report. The following points were highlighted: • The following new issues had been identified: - Lack of suitable affordable housing provision. - Homelessness levels had increased. • The following Issues would be removed from the Corporate Issues Register: - Ash Dieback disease - Welsh Government (WG) proposals to remove priority need and intentionality for homelessness. • New risks identified were as follows: - The risk that WG may implement a new Housing Support Grant redistribution formula. - The risk that vital corporate digital born documents/information are lost. - The risk of organisational disruption as a result of changes to senior management. • The following risk would be removed from the Corporate Risk Register: - The risk that the level of homelessness could increase. • Key changes to the Corporate Risk Register were highlighted. These included changes to the following risks: - The risk that hybrid working could have unknown long term adverse effects on our culture, workforce and service delivery. - The risk that we do not have a strategic vision for our assets. - The risk that we are not sufficiently prepared for a future pandemic In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: • Reference was made to risk CR1.3 ‘The risk that education attainment does not improve’ and it was suggested that an additional risk be included, highlighting the fact that schools would be unable to balance their budgets which would have a significant adverse impact on school culture, workforce and service delivery. - Education was a statutory service and school budgets had been reduced significantly over recent years. - Whilst schools had reserves, these had already been allocated. - In response, the Strategic Director – Finance and Resources advised that risk CR9.3 in relation to budgets included schools and it was suggested that an additional bullet point could be included which referenced school budgets. - It was felt that due to the scale of risk, it should be highlighted as a standalone risk. - School budget issues were significant and teacher redundancies were being considered by schools. • Concern was raised in respect of combining risks CR6.3 and CR6.3 which were in relation to carbon reduction targets and the response to the climate change emergency. - It was suggested that combining the risks may result in a focus on carbon reduction as opposed to wider issues such as biodiversity. - The Corporate Performance and Improvement Manager suggested that that the risk control measures be amended to reference biodiversity. It was proposed and seconded that: The following risk be included within the Corporate Risk Register: The risk that schools will be unable to balance their budgets, which will have a significant adverse impact on school culture, workforce and service delivery. It was also proposed and seconded that: The risk control measures in respect of merged risks CR6.3 and CR6.6 make reference to biodiversity. Following a vote it was RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: That the Corporate Issues and Risk Registers be agreed and adopted subject to the following amendments: a) That the following risk be included within the corporate Risk Register: The risk that schools will be unable to balance their budgets, which will have a significant adverse impact on school culture, workforce and service delivery. b) That the risk control measures in respect of merged risks CR6.3 and CR6.6 make reference to biodiversity.
The Cabinet Member for Integrated Adult and Community Services introduced the mid-year review of domiciliary and residential care fees. The Local Authority commissioned residential care and domiciliary care services from independent organisations in order to meet the eligible needs of individuals in line with the statutory duties set out in the Social Services and Well Being Act. The Section Manager – Commissioning Team presented Members with the report. The following points were highlighted: - Conwy County Borough Council (CCBC) received one off funding of £368,000 from the Welsh Government (WG) in March 2022, as part of a supplementary budget increase to the 2021/2022 settlement. This was provided to allow local authorities to provide driving lessons and electric fleet vehicles in order to support home care workers. - The current level of demand outweighed the domiciliary care provision available within Conwy County. This was creating pressures across all service areas including hospitals. - The Local Authority’s in-house re-ablement team were being called upon to fill the gaps in long term care that could not be met by external services or care packages that had been returned back to the Local Authority. - Providers across the board were experiencing recruitment issues with staff shortage levels higher than during the pandemic. - Many providers were introducing higher pay scales and mechanisms within their financial means in order to retain and attract new staff. - The Consumer Price Index (CPI) had been much higher than anticipated and currently stood at 10.1%. - An uplift in the Domiciliary care fee to recognise the increase CPI, would see an increase in the rate to £20.82. However, this potential uplift did not address the recent announcement that the Real Living Wage had increased from £9.90 to £10.90. - Conwy County had a higher number of homes registered with the Care Inspectorate for Wales (CIW) compared with neighbouring Local Authorities, providing a total of 1445 residential care and nursing beds. - Work had commenced to review the fee methodology for use across North Wales. - It was recognised that the consequence of closing care homes could have a significant impact on residents, therefore every effort possible was made to support the homes locally. - One option for consideration was to adjust fees to recognise the 10.1% level of CPI. - Conwy County Borough Council (CCBC) paid the highest fee rate in North Wales for residential care. An alternative option was to uplift all the rates for CPI other than residential. - Table two within the report set out the financial implications of both options, which would be funded from service reserves In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: · It was queried as to whether the WG funding of £368,000could be utilised for other purposes as opposed to driving lessons for home care workers. and electric fleet vehicles. - In response, the Strategic Director – Finance and Resources advised that the funding was unhypothecated and whilst WG had suggested that the funding be utilised for driving lessons they had since advised that it could be utilised in respect of care fees. - The funding had been a one off payment and was currently within reserves. There was no requirement to spend during the current financial year, however, WG would query how the funding had been utilised. · It was suggested, that due to the current financial climate that all services would like a mid-term review. - It was suggested that care fees should not be prioritised above other services, and should be considered as part of the budget setting process. - The Service Manager - Quality Standards and Commissioning advised that residential care and domiciliary care should be considered separately. - Domiciliary care had unprecedented waiting lists which was impacting on hospitals. - Domiciliary and residential care were statutory services. - It was suggested that it was in the interest of the overall budget to ensure that domiciliary care and residential care did not fail. - The Strategic Director – Social Care and Education advised that providers were consulted with regularly and that increasing the domiciliary care fee would not be onerous on the budget as reserves would be utilised. - Domiciliary care workers were paid minimum wage with some supermarkets offering a higher wage. - 40p per mile was paid for petrol, which was not sufficient and it was suggested that the WG funding be utilised to cover carers’ fuel costs. - The Strategic Director – Finance and Resources advised that providers could not be mandated to pay higher levels of pay or travel to their employees. · The impact of an uplift on the overall budget was queried. - In response, the Strategic Director – Finance and Resources advised that dependent on the option supported, the cost would be £325k, which would be funded from the WG one off payment. - In future years the pressure would uplift to £650k, however, it was anticipated that due to inflation, fees would increase for 2023/2024 in any case. · It was queried as to whether there would be an increase in respect of Direct Payments. - In response, the Strategic Director – Finance and Resources advised that the Direct Payments fee would increase by May, 2023 in line with the real living wage. · The financial impact of care home closures was sought. - The Strategic Director – Finance and Resources did not have a figure but advised that this would be a significant cost. There was a proposal that the mid-year review of fees be deferred and be considered in the round during the budget setting process in the context of inflation and rising costs for all services, however, this was not seconded.. The following proposals were made and seconded in relation to Domiciliary Care: - Option 2: That the hourly rate for domiciliary care be increased to £21.60 on the proviso that the funding be passed onto care workers and that their fuel costs be addressed. Fund in year from the ones off monies from driving lessons and electric vehicles. Following a vote it was: RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: That the hourly rate for domiciliary care be increased to £21.60 on the proviso that the funding be passed onto care workers and that their fuel costs be addressed (Option 2). The following proposals were made and seconded in relation to Residential Care: - Option C: That there is no increase in residential care fees mid-year and that it be considered in the round during the budget setting process in the context of inflation and rising costs for all services. - Option B: That the elderly, mentally infirm (EMI) and nursing fees be increased by adjusting the Consumer Price Index CPI rate from 5.4% to 10.1%. This would exclude residential care as Conwy County already has the highest residential care rate across North Wales. However, following a vote, both proposals were lost, therefore no recommendation was made to Cabinet in relation to Residential Fees. Note: Councillor Kay Redhead declared an interest in the above agenda item, as she worked for a care provider, which provided care to residents in Conwy. As the interest was prejudicial, Councillor Redhead left the meeting whilst this matter was discussed.
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.
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