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There is no summary of this meeting yet. Summaries are written once the council publishes the minutes, which are its official record of what a meeting decided. They usually appear a few weeks after the meeting.
None.
Cllr David Hughes declared an interest in Item 5 and Item 6. Cllr Claire Jones declared a Personal interest in Agenda Item 6 - dispensation to remain in the meeting.
Minutes of 25th November 2025 were approved as accurate.
The Chair advised that there were 2 outstanding actions: · Recovery College – information to be emailed to Members after the meeting. · Palliative Care ward closure – verbal update provided at the meeting.
Cllr Louise Minett-Vokes introduced the report. In response to questions from the committee members, offices confirmed: · The Budget information reflects the expenditure at Month 6. · Bespoke placement costs (Residential Placements) fluctuate each year due to staffing/agency costs and the bespoke needs of the child, £847k is the predicted annual expenditure. · At Month 6 the budget for children’s residential services is not predicted to overspend. · Welsh Government allocates a fixed annual grant at the start of each year, there is no additional funding if the number of care packages increases. · Pathways of Care Grant has provided additionality, and the number of assessments has increased. · A review of current practices is being conducted with the aim of identifying efficiencies. · Adults are allocated a Care Co-Ordinator who is responsible for monitoring the care package after discharge from hospital. · The Tackling Poverty Steering Group no longer exists, this is now considered as part of the internal budget meetings. · RIF (regional funding) and the criteria for the grant is unlikely to be confirmed until after the Senedd Election in May 2026. · Bespoke therapeutic services are provided for children looked after (CLA) using the RIF funding, due to the uncertainty of the funding this will be delivered in house post 2026. · CLA residential placement costs are predicted to overspend significantly due to price increases, next year costs are expected to decrease with the establishment of The Flowers. · Members queried the figures in 5.1, 5.2 and 5.8 and requested clarification after the meeting on the underspend/overspend at the end of Month 6. · The Flowers had some challenges but is progressing, going forward 2 more residential homes will be opened. Members commented that staff have worked over and above and should be commended for all their hard work in delivering services in such an unpredictable area and asked that their thanks are passed onto the staff. Members agreed they had added value though their scrutiny and challenge today on the budget position at Month 6.
Cllr Louise Minett-Vokes introduced the report. In response to questions from the committee members, offices confirmed: · Some companies have indicated they will be converting to not for profit. · For residential homes staff recruitment is ongoing, free training is provided, and agency is used when required. · In relation to foster carers and eliminating profit, fees have Increased, council tax incentives have been introduced, however there is a concern that very few foster agencies have indicated they will transfer across. · Work continues to increase the number of foster carers, however, the 28-placement gap remains a concern and will continue to be a priority in phase 2 of the recruitment plan. · 2 new registrations for residential homes, CIW visits are booked in for early February 2026. · Notice of closure to end a placement would require a minimum of 28 days’ notice but this is likely to be longer due to processes such as termination of staff. · If elimination of profit did not happen there would be lots of changes to children’s placements and reduction of grant funding. Residential homes are now established and would continue to be utilised alongside the drive to increase foster placements. · There have been no applications for the foster to adopt scheme. · If we had unregulated providers (OWR placements) this would be managed in-house using agency staff and/or internal staff. · There are a few not-for-profit organisations operating but there are more organisations operating for profit. · The transition timeline was challenging because there were no residential homes in Merthyr prior to 2023. · We work closely with RSLs and housing to provide high quality pathways for care leavers. · A contingency plan will be developed later this year to address the risk of providers who may exit the system. · Annual Sufficiency Plan will be brought to scrutiny for consideration. Members praised staff for all the work that has been undertaken to move to not for profit, providing more stable local placements and better connections for our children. Members agreed they had added value though their scrutiny and challenge today on the progress made.
Lyndon Lewis introduced the report. In response to questions from the committee members, offices confirmed: · Members noted the progress made against the recommendations in the HMIP Inspection report. · Pupils’ that are not in full-time education has significantly reduced to 39%. · The number of people in custody has reduced due to early intervention, partnership work, improved processes, and lessons learned. · Support services and funding on substance misuse for young people are currently appropriately funded. · The latest Inspection was ‘good’ and compared well to other Youth Justice Services, considerable progress has been made in the past 12months, both strategically and operationally. · The progress against recommendations will be followed up by HMIP towards the end of the year. Members thanked Officers for the comprehensive report and added value by challenging the progress made against the recommendations.
The Chair outlined the latest version of the FWP and members noted/agreed the following: · Items/meetings for the remainder of this cycle. · To send any suggestions for the FWP for next cycle to the Chair. · Next meeting – 10th February 2026 at 4.00pm.
No scrutiny referrals received.
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