Wrthi'n llwytho
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AGREED – That subject to the above, the work programme as attached at Appendix 1 to the report (COGC/17/25) be agreed.
AGREED: That the Committee thanks the Lead Members and Officers for their work in putting the report together and compliments them on the efforts made in the department to reduce costs.
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Claire Lovett and Rondo Roberts. Councillor Annette Davies was absent.
AGREED: That the minutes held on 12 February 2025 be signed as correct.
Members were reminded of their responsibility, under Paragraph 11 of the Members’ Code of Conduct, to declare any interests in relation to any of the business to be transacted at this meeting. The following declarations were made:- Item 5 – Adult social Care Contract Monitoring External Provider Market Strategy Services Councillor Brian Cameron– Personal and non-Prejudicial –.A family member partner worked for the Whitehouse Carehome. The Councillor remained in the meeting taking part in the discussion and voting thereon.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
AGREED – That subject to the above, the work programme as attached at Appendix 1 to the report (COGC/17/25) be agreed.
The Chief Officer for Governance and Customer submitted a report (COGC/17/25) asking Members to consider the draft work programme of the Safeguarding and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee attached at Appendix 1. The Scrutiny Facilitator provided the following updates: · The Library Services review has been rescheduled to June to allow for the completion of the consultation and the preparation of an interim report. · Links between Wrexham Council and HMP Berwyn has been scheduled for April, with representatives from HMP Berwyn attending in person. Committee members were encouraged to attend in person and a pre-meeting will be held that will cover the key questions and areas of interest. · Health and Social Care Winter Outcomes 2024/2025 will be scheduled for April, alongside the HMP Berwyn discussion. · The Core Transformational Projects Updates focusing on Children’s (Fostering Services) and Adult’s (Supported Living) will take place in May 2025. · The Work Programme Review will be scheduled for September 2025. · The Day & Employment Services Review will be considered in the 2025-26 Work Programme to allow time for service changes to take effect. · An overview of the improvements, activities, and challenges within Adult Services will be presented later in the year as part of the Transformational Project topic AGREED – That subject to the above, the work programme as attached at Appendix 1 to the report (COGC/17/25) be agreed.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
AGREED: That the Committee thanks the Lead Members and Officers for their work in putting the report together and compliments them on the efforts made in the department to reduce costs.
(Members declarations of interest in relation to this item are set out in Minute 49 above). The Chief Officer for Social Care submitted report (CSCO/05/25), providing Members with an overview of the range and volume of contracted statutory care and support services in Wrexham. The report also detailed the activities of the Contracts Team and the contract monitoring arrangements in place. The Lead Member for Adult and Social Care, Health, and Wellbeing introduced the report, emphasising its key points. Alison Reeve, Interim Chief Officer for Social Care, reiterated that the annual Contracts and Monitoring Report outlined the scope of care and support services, the Contracts Team’s workload, and monitoring processes. Additionally, she noted the recent integration of children's services into the Contracts and Commissioning Team. The following was discussed: • It was explained that the 1,536-hour rise since September 2023 did not include project support work, which was a separate area with smaller numbers. • A robust monitoring process was in place to ensure compliance with regulations concerning agency workers. • The issue of overseas workers and sponsorship schemes was being addressed through regional and national initiatives. · It was confirmed that project support work involved 15 individuals, receiving a total of 181 hours per week, primarily to support younger adults in community-based services. · Concerns were raised about agency workers in relation to recent tax avoidance reports, with questions on measures for fair treatment and regulatory compliance. Members were assured that due diligence processes were in place. · It was acknowledged that recruitment challenges, along with rising national insurance costs, have affected budgets. · Overseas worker sponsorships have helped maintain service levels. · A review of in-house domiciliary care was ongoing, with efforts to balance service provision. · Specialist care was outsourced based on individual needs or preferences. · Safeguards were in place regarding the Court of Protection, including collaboration with the Office of the Public Guardian, and a new in-house deputy has been appointed for individuals without a representative. · A Member requested further data on direct payments and personal assistants, with a commitment to provide follow-up information. • It was confirmed that the new procurement regulations, effective since February, applied only to new procurements, with existing ones following prior rules. • Members were assured that the council was supported by corporate procurement teams and regional partners. • The domiciliary care framework, retendered under the old system, will remain in place for at least five years. · Despite a reported £6 million overspend in children's services, compared to a smaller overspend in adult social care, it was explained that increased spending on domiciliary care was offset by savings in other areas of adult social care, balancing the overall budget. · Seasonal factors, such as winter pressures and hospital discharges, contributed to demand fluctuations. • Members were assured that although service hours increased at the time of reporting, they have since decreased. • It was explained that individuals receiving home care were financially assessed, with a £100 per week cap under Welsh Government policy and that Residential care costs varied by individual assessment. • A Member emphasised the need for transparency in council spending to help the public understand council tax allocation. • A Member noted a net loss of 63 registered care home beds and raised concerns about its impact. • It was explained that Wrexham relied on the independent market for older people’s care, as it lacked in-house provision. • This year, Wrexham aligned more closely with Denbighshire in setting fees, especially for shared services. • Local authorities tailor fee-setting to ensure sustainability while maintaining public accountability. • It was clarified that Care Cubed, purchased last year, evaluated high-cost placements and ensured fair fees for older people’s care homes. • The Care Cubed tool was widely used across North Wales to promote data sharing and ensure transparent fee negotiations. • Members were invited to attend a demonstration of the Care Cubed tool system. AGREED: That the Committee thanks the Lead Members and Officers for their work in putting the report together and compliments them on the efforts made in the department to reduce costs.
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.
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