Wrthi'n llwytho
Y penderfyniadau fel y mae cofnodion y cyngor yn eu cofnodi. Bydd crynodeb mewn iaith glir yn dilyn pan fydd wedi'i ysgrifennu.
RESOLVED to: · Note the content of the Annual Assessment Report 2023-2024 (Appendix 1) received from Welsh Government. · Scrutinise in greater depth any matters contained within the report.
RESOLVED to: · Srutinise the content of this report. · Request a further report regarding the use and impact of funding received from Welsh Government in response to the Care Action Committee 50 day challenge.
Apologies for absence were received from County Borough Councillor D Owen-Jones and H Gronow.
In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, there were no declarations of interest made.
Members acknowledged the information provided through the consultation links in respect of open consultations, Welsh Government consultations and those matters being consulted upon by the local authority.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED to: · Note the content of the Annual Assessment Report 2023-2024 (Appendix 1) received from Welsh Government. · Scrutinise in greater depth any matters contained within the report.
The Library and Information Advice Service Manager presented the report which provided information to Members on the feedback received from Welsh Government in respect of the Library Service’s performance against the Welsh Public Library Standards (WPLS) within the Sixth Quality Framework of the WPLS: ‘Connected and Ambitious Libraries’ for the period 2023-2024. In discussing the report, a Member referred to the two quality indicators outlined in the report which Rhondda Cynon Taf failed to achieve and acknowledged the financial challenges which impact on the service’s ability to achieve these targets, however the Member asked for further information about any mitigating steps being considered to address these areas. The Library and Information Advice Service Manager informed Members that the service area met Welsh Government and there was concern about the acquisition of stock for young people and children. The Officer acknowledged that whilst the service area can’t increase their budget levels, they can allocate it differently. Therefore, in response, the service has ensured that they will purchase more children’s stock this year to meet the need. Regarding the opening hours where there was concern, Members were reminded that the feedback is reported in advance of last year when it was known service changes were coming. With a change in staffing rota and a different approach the service has been able to increase the opening hours by 10 hours. Lastly, Members were informed that the service area has seen a reduction of £56k from its book budget this year, which will have an impact. The service area has committed to continuing to look to buy same stock but at different levels which may lead to increased wait time for popular titles. The Member also referred to the At Home Library Service and requested information whether there has been any impact on service users. The Library and Information Advice Service Manager confirmed that service changes did not impact directly on the At Home service but referenced the reduction in book budget which impacts the availability of book stock. Members were informed that the decision to remove the Mobile Library service led to an increase in the At Home service staff levels and this has been able to be maintained and the same number of home calls are being undertaken. Another Member referred to the impact statement relating to the Inclusion Hub in Ferndale – Y HWB at appendix 2. The Member noted the positive impact this project has had on both the library service, school and young people. They queried what the long-term goals were of this project and whether there are any plans to widen the project to other areas. The Library and Information Advice Service Manager confirmed the project has had a positive impact and was the result of being approached by the Ferndale Community School directly with the aim of addressing exclusion levels. Members were informed that whilst there have been no further approaches made by schools in other areas across the County Borough, the service would be open to discussions about similar projects should this be required, although there were examples given of schools utilising other community facilities for similar initiatives elsewhere. A Member noted that Formal training attendance per capita is above the median for Welsh library authorities and has increased by 45% compared to 2022-23. The Member asked Officers what they felt the main reason for this increase in attendance was and requested further information on the types of formal training undertaken. The Library and Information Advice Service Manager shared that the main increase is due to outside parties using the community spaces as a venue for training such as IT training, Welsh Language courses and work clubs and that the figures are now returning to pre-covid levels. Members were informed that during Covid organisations found alternative ways to delivery training and it has taken some time to attract these back into the Library for such training events. A Member commented on the transition of the Library service to include the One4All centres which has enhanced the offer. Following consideration, it was RESOLVED to: · Note the content of the Annual Assessment Report 2023-2024 (Appendix 1) received from Welsh Government. · Scrutinise in greater depth any matters contained within the report.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED to: · Srutinise the content of this report. · Request a further report regarding the use and impact of funding received from Welsh Government in response to the Care Action Committee 50 day challenge.
The Director of Adult Services presented a report that provided Members with key information about Pathways of Care Delays for Rhondda Cynon Taf residents between April and December 2024, and included an update on the current winter pressures and their impact on hospital discharges. During the discussion, a Member referred to the anticipated funding allocation for Rhondda Cynon Taf from the Care Action Committee's 50-day challenge, questioning whether the anticipated £767k was sufficient and requesting further details on its planned usage. The Director informed Members that the funding would primarily support the continued provision of reablement services, which are currently exceeding budget. Additionally, the funding would be used to provide additional social workers to ensure that assessments and allocations for more complex discharges are facilitated. The Director highlighted that budgets are exceeded in these areas, and the funding will support these needs. The Director also shared that some points from the 50-day challenge are for the region as a whole, with one priority being 7-day discharging. This can only be introduced if both health and social care staff work 7 days as for example if there are no health staff identifying people as clinically optimized for discharge over the weekend, then no social care discharges will progress. The introfuction of 7 day working for both health and social care has significant workforce and funding implications. A Member discussed winter pressures and asked about any negative impact on pathways. The Director shared that in RCT, changes to the Homecare service have avoided a negative impact. Generally, the length of stay is reducing, which is attributable to this change. Reablement typically facilitates swift discharges. Care home delays are not currently showing as a top delay reason in the POCD data at the moment which currently identify assessments and home care. Another Member referred to EToC (Early Transfer of Care) and inquired whether this involved multiple service areas, commenting on the benefits of a joined-up service. The Director explained that EToC is a proportionate assessment completed on the ward, which can be sent to social care, district nurses, or other areas. With regard to social care, the relevant service area is identified to facilitate the discharge, and referrals to social workers can also be initiated through EToC. The Director acknowledged that it is a new service and still being embedded, but the impacts, along with changes in home care approach, are evident. A Member referred to section 4.8 of the report and highlighted the issue of early-onset dementia, requesting further information about available services in Rhondda Cynon Taf to address the demand. The Director explained the current position regarding residential care homes and referred to a recent Cabinet decision about the surplus of current placements, which is set to be reviewed in the future. Members were informed that with current demand, the closure of a dementia facility can be managed. The Director anticipated an increase in demand for dementia care in the future and informed Members of Cabinet approval to develop and build a new bespoke facility in Rhondda Fach for dementia residential care and an extra care facility with a dementia unit in Mountain Ash. The Director noted that the provision for dementia residential care has increased by 25% in recent years. Currently, there is sufficient dementia residential provision in the independent sector and in-house services. It is anticipated that the next five years will still see sufficient capacity, but this would be subject to ongoing review to account for an changing population. The Director continued to explain that there is an increase in younger people with dementia, which is expected to continue and younger people with dementia often do not fit within a traditional older person's environment due to various factors. There is an increase in specialist provisions to manage their needs appropriately with consideration to risk both to the person and others in the environment . This can result in placements being out of the County Borough. Members were informed that there are provisions within RCT, but these tend to be in the private sector. Specialist placements re generally made for people who require bespoke services. The director noted a small increase in younger people with dementia but that this is not as significant as the increase of dementia in the older generations . The Service Director commented on the earlier discussion regarding additional funding from Welsh Government and added that the funding is temporary, with notification received only in November. While short-term funding is welcomed, to create a sustainable social services function, long-term funding and investment is needed, and earlier notification of grants necessary to plan with providers. It was highlighted to Members that the Health Board also received funding, and Members discussed the benefits of being able to scrutinize an evaluate a report regarding the use of the funding at a future meeting. Another Member referred to the increase in young people with dementia and commented on the knock-on effect this can have on pathways, expressing concern about the increase. The Director shared that the incidence of dementia is increasing due to an aging population, Following consideration, it was RESOLVED to: · Srutinise the content of this report. · Request a further report regarding the use and impact of funding received from Welsh Government in response to the Care Action Committee 50 day challenge.
The Chair thanked all for attending the evening and recognised the very useful discussion. The Chair thanked Members for their contributions to the detailed discussion and for Officers detailed reports and presentations.
Rhaid i gynghorwyr ddweud pan fydd ganddyn nhw gysylltiad personol â rhywbeth sy'n cael ei drafod, fel swydd, eiddo neu aelod o'r teulu. Mae buddiant sy'n rhagfarnu yn ddigon cryf i'r cynghorydd adael yr ystafell fel arfer a pheidio â chymryd rhan.
Caiff datganiadau eu darllen o'r cofnodion unwaith y byddan nhw wedi'u cyhoeddi.
Yn rhestru cynghorwyr presennol y cyngor yn unig. Nid yw aelodau cyfetholedig, swyddogion a chyn-gynghorwyr yn cael eu dangos.