Wrthi'n llwytho
Does dim crynodeb o'r cyfarfod hwn eto. Caiff crynodebau eu hysgrifennu pan fydd y cyngor yn cyhoeddi'r cofnodion, sef ei gofnod swyddogol o'r hyn a benderfynodd cyfarfod. Maen nhw fel arfer yn ymddangos ychydig wythnosau ar ôl y cyfarfod.
In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, no interests were declared.
In accordance with the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011, no declarations of Whipped Votes or Party Whips were declared.
Resolved that the Minutes of the Scrutiny Programme Committee held on 19 November 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.
There were no public questions.
Councillors R Stewart (Poverty Reduction Corporate Lead) and Councillor A Anthony (Poverty Reduction Policy Lead), assisted by the Interim Director of Social Services, Interim Head of Adult Services & Tackling Poverty and the Tackling Poverty Service Manager presented a report on the work carried out to deliver the Corporate Plan priority relating to Tackling Poverty and Enabling Communities in the last twelve months. Members noted the detail on action and achievements on 9 Steps covering the following: Strategic Direction; Cost of Living; Tackling and preventing Homelessness; Making more homes available; Improving people’s prosperity; Focus on early intervention; Empowering communities; Keeping communities safe; Building community assets. Committee questioning and discussion focussed on: · Definition of Poverty – Changes in the Minimum Income Standard – Officers advised that the recent Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) report had rebased their calculations for the way they work out the minimum income standard. This is the first time JRF have reviewed their definition since 2008. Additionally, there are a number of other factors that have influenced the figure such as the inflation linked increase in benefits. It was noted that determining the percentage of Swansea residents who would be below the Minimum Income Standard was challenging. Historically, the Council had attempted to measure it against the minimum income standard and examined different sources of data. On a regional level data showed that approximately 15% of households in Swansea were workless therefore, it was difficult to put a number on the households that were above or below that particular number. · Clearer Definition of Poverty – Work had commenced to collect insight about the public’s views on the Council’s current definition (detailed in the 2017 Strategy). Furthermore, engagement work had been progressed through internal governance, enabling communities group and others. A revised statement has been developed which will be published following the public consultation exercise. · Performance Framework – Identification of outcome-focussed measures – Officers reported that much of the work was undertaken from the ground up and was very much in response to the needs of people in communities. In contrast, our targets and strategy come from the top down. The Welsh Government published, in January 2024, the Child Poverty Strategy for Wales and set a number of priorities. One of the priorities focussed on entitlement in so far as putting more money in peoples’ pockets. Whilst the Council provide support to get more people into work, we do not connect the two to say as a result of getting more people into work, that equates to more money in people’s pockets and a better outcome. The Committee was told that the performance framework was being developed and would connect and enable the Council to demonstrate measurable differences from some of the services/initiatives we are providing. · Focus on Early Intervention – It was noted funding to local authorities for the expansion of Flying Start was still be to confirmed. Plans were being developed to deliver a further plan to maximise those opportunities to support children and families by examining the best use of that money and try to build on the current provision. The criteria applied will be in line with the Welsh Government’s guidelines. This will include issues such as maximising child development outcomes, addressing inequalities alleviating some of the impacts of deprivation. · Tackling and Preventing Homelessness – Officers referred to the update provided to the Committee in September 2024 and confirmed that progress was being made regarding alternatives to B&B accommodation,. It was noted that it was a national crisis and teams were working very hard to achieve the target of exiting B&B accommodation as quickly as possible. The Housing Allocations Policy will be reviewed in 2025. · Local Area Co-ordination – Officers detailed the restructuring, changes in grant funding, amendments to the focus and priorities which had contributed to delays in recruiting to the vacancy in the Blaenymaes area. The LAC team were being supported to protect their stability and the viability. Progress was underway regarding the recruitment process and vacancies had not been frozen. Factors affecting areas included the reduction in the winter fuel payments, so LAC’s were taking on additional work in the areas that required more assistance. · Mental Health – Committee was told that strong partnership working exists between the Council and partner organisations in dealing with the connection between poverty and mental health problems. · Tackling Poverty Strategy – it was noted that refreshed Strategy has been delayed but a draft would be available in the next few months and will be subject of public consultation. This can be brought to the Committee for comments. The Chair thanked the Cabinet Members and Officers for their informative presentation. Resolved that: 1) The Chair of the Scrutiny Programme Committee write to the Cabinet Members reflecting on the discussion and sharing the views of the Committee. 2) The Draft Tackling Poverty Strategy be scheduled for future Committee when available for review.
The Cabinet Member for Service Transformation assisted by the Director of Place, Head of Housing & Public Health and Programme Planning & Delivery Manager (Council Housing) presented a report which detailed the progress in meeting the Welsh Government’s Welsh Housing Quality Standard. The report provided information on the new Welsh Housing Quality Standard 2023, specific requirements and relevant issues. Main changes related to the energy efficiency and carbon reduction targets for homes, fire safety, floor coverings and external storage, and changes to how landlords report compliance, and the introduction of quality assurance processes for the delivery. Committee questioning and discussion focussed on: · Timescale – Officers confirmed that Councils have ten years to deliver the new WHQS. Challenges in relation to finances, energy efficiency, decarbonisation, measurement and data requirements existed and Councils were in consultation with the Welsh Government regarding the timescale. As well as the new standards for homes, there are new annual reporting requirements and quality assurance processes for landlords. · More Homes – it was noted that the new 2023 requirements were considered to be very challenging with various issues relating to delivery and compliance, and could impact on the delivery of more homes. Therefore, requests had been made to the Welsh Government for grants, finances and more flexibility. · Prioritisation – Officers detailed that stock conditions surveys would be used to prioritise the new WHQS works across the Council Housing stock. · Tenant Engagement – Officers confirmed that there would be comprehensive engagement with tenants with regard to improvement works and potential disruption. The Chair thanked the Cabinet Member for Service Transformation and Officers for their informative presentation. Resolved that: 1) The Chair of the Scrutiny Programme Committee write to the Cabinet Member for Service Transformation reflecting the discussion and sharing the views of the Committee.
The Cabinet Member for Service Transformation assisted by the Director of Place, Head of Housing & Public Heath, Housing Strategy & Development Manager and Senior Enabling Development Officer presented a report which detailed the progress to date, schemes currently in development, future plans, challenges and opportunities. It was noted from the report provided that there had been an ambition to deliver 1,000 additional Council homes from 2021-2031. Up to November 2024 the More Homes Programme has delivered an additional 288 council homes via a mixed strategy of new build developments, acquisitions and conversions of existing properties. With current activity, the overall delivery total by the end of March 2025 is anticipated to be approximately 306 units. Committee questioning and discussion primarily focussed on how well the Council is working with developers and looking at opportunities to increase affordable housing as well as our own house building programme. There was discussion around the progress and benefits in regard to availability of land, transfer of risk and the training and development of the apprentices. The Chair thanked the Cabinet Member for Service Transformation and Officers for their informative presentation. Resolved that: 1) The Chair of the Scrutiny Programme Committee write to the Cabinet Member for Service Transformation reflecting the discussion and sharing the views of the Committee.
The Cabinet Member for Service Transformation assisted by the Head of Digital & Customer Services presented the Annual Complaints & Compliments Report 2023-2024. This included three reports at appendices A, B and C which detailed performance on the operation of the Corporate Complaints Policy and Social Services Complaints Policy between 1st April 2023 and 31st March 2024. Appendix C contained the annual letter for Swansea Council from the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales). The report outlined processes, provided some overall complaints figures and a breakdown by service area, including compliments, as well as complaints that were referred to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW). The report concluded that no significant systemic issues were identified, and most complaints were resolved without the need for escalation to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales. The Committee noted that the Social Services Annual Report was being considered by the Social Services Scrutiny Performance Panels on 11 December. Committee questioning and discussions focussed on the following: · Circulation of the report to Departments – it was noted that details of complaints and compliments were circulated to appropriate departments, although there was some discussion ensuring officers across the Council were aware of the contents of the Annual Report. · Sample of departmental complaints – the Officer reported that future reports would include a sample of departmental complaints in order to get a flavour of the sort of complaints the Council received. · Complaint Categories – the Officer stated that the Council complaint categories (breakdown by service) shown in the Corporate Complaints report would also mirror the ombudsman categories (subject areas) shown in the PSOW letter, in future years. The Chair thanked the Cabinet Member for Service Transformation and the Head of Digital & Customer Services for their input. Resolved that the Chair write to the Cabinet Member Service Transformation and the Head of Digital & Customer Services reflecting discussion and sharing the views of the Committee.
Rhan o fater a ddilynwyd ar draws 2 cyfarfod
The Chair reported that Councillor Sue Jones had provided the Committee with a progress report on the work / activities of the Adult Services Scrutiny Performance Panel. Resolved that the Progress Report on the Adult Services Scrutiny Panel be noted.
There were no changes to report.
The Chair introduced the agreed Work Programme to facilitate the Committee’s monitoring of all Scrutiny activity. Various information was provided to ensure progress could be reviewed with the agreed Programme. The items scheduled for the next meeting were: 1) Q & A with Leader of the Council / Cabinet Member for Economy, Finance & Strategy. 2) Oracle Fusion Project Post-Implementation Review Update.
Scrutiny Letters were reported reflecting on recent Scrutiny activity: 1) Committee - Streetscene Improvements: Cleansing Operations – 15 October 2024 - Letter to / from Cabinet Member for Community (Services).
The date and time of upcoming Panel/Working Group/Regional Scrutiny Meetings was provided “For information”.
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.