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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 Committee note the Update report from the West Wales Partnership Board report.
RESOLVED That the Action Log be noted.
RESOLVED a) That the Forward Work Programme be noted. b) That the Referral from the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee regarding the Social Care overspend be noted and is dealt with as a standing item at each meeting.
RESOLVED That the Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee have a clearer understanding of the Quarter 2 Budget Position and 2024/25 Budget Saving progress within Social Care and that the Members build on the understanding of the financial pressures Social Care Services and the Local Authority are facing across 2024/25 and the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP). [The meeting adjourned for a short break at this juncture.]
RESOLVED That the Committee note the report and the progress, which continues to be made, on the improvement of the delivery of Social Services during 2023/24.
RESOLVED That the Committee notes the work that is underway to review the current service for transitions, and to manage current transitions situations ahead of the development of an improvement programme.
RESOLVED That the Committee note the report and the excellent work being undertaken at Clynfyw Care Farm.
There were no Declarations of Interest made.
The Committee agreed to a change to the order of business to allow the Officers from Hywel Dda UHB to present their item.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the Committee note the Update report from the West Wales Partnership Board report.
The Chair welcomed Joanne Cornish and Linda Jones from the Integrated Transformation Team from Hywel Dda University Health Board to the meeting to give a presentation on the West Wales Partnership Board. They advised that the presentation contained the reports given to the Welsh Government twice a year which was the evaluation of the Regional Integration Fund projects. They further clarified that the Regional Integration Fund (RIF) was part of the work of the Regional Partnership Board (RPB). They further advised that it was a five-year fund designed to develop integrated services in the community grouped around six priorities. The Integrated Transformation Team advised Members that they were halfway through the five-year fund and that they were meeting with Welsh Government every two months to review the project following this time. In response to a question from Councillor Alec Cormack regarding projects that no longer fit within the portfolio, the Integrated Transformation Team advised that new projects could join part way through and were added providing there were funds available. In response to a comment from Councillor Mike James, as Carers Champion, regarding the Carers Recognition Card; the Integrated Transformation Team agreed that the card had been very well received and provided an important service. The Team further informed the Committee that the Authority had been recognised as one of the best Authorities in the support they provided for Carers. The Head of Children’s Services noted that they undertook five or six young carers assessments consistently every month. In response to a question from Councillor James regarding pathways to employment, the Integrated Transformation Team advised that there was a Regional Improving Lives Partnership to support young carers. In response to a further comment from Councillor James, the Integrated Transformation Team advised that Milford Haven School had obtained the Gold Investors in Carers award. In response to a question from Councillor Alec Cormack regarding the support for micro enterprises, the Integrated Transformation Team advised that there was a Micro-Enterprise Officer who provided support for those interested in developing a micro enterprise. They noted that this was a service available throughout Pembrokeshire and that whilst it had been initiated in Pembrokeshire, the Officer was now a mentor for other Authorities. The Integrated Transformation Team advised the Committee that the S16 Grant could be administered for both social and micro enterprises. In response to a question from the Chair regarding promotion of the work that the Integrated Transformation Team were undertaking, the Team advised that the nature of Welsh Government criteria suggested that the work remains match funded and that they were developing the service to continue as Business as Usual. The team were focussing on developing the service to keep people well at home and avoid presentation at Accident and Emergency Departments. The Head of Adult Services highlighted that the work was fully integrated and that reablement in the Authority was being supported through the fund. This had been identified as one of the biggest success stories of the RIF funded opportunity. Moved by Councillor David Bryan; Seconded by Councillor Danny Young The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the Committee note the Update report from the West Wales Partnership Board report.
Moved by Councillor Steve Alderman; Seconded by Councillor Anji Tinley The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the Minutes of the meetings held on 23 September 2024 and 3 October 2024 be approved subject to the following amendment: That Councillor David Bryan had sent his apologies to the meeting held on 23 September 2024
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the Action Log be noted.
The Chair presented the Action Log to the Committee and updated the report as appropriate. Moved by Councillor Alderman; Seconded by Councillor Alec Cormack The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the Action Log be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED a) That the Forward Work Programme be noted. b) That the Referral from the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee regarding the Social Care overspend be noted and is dealt with as a standing item at each meeting.
The Chair presented the Forward Work Programme to the Committee noting the changes that had taken place. The Chair presented the Referral that had been received from the Corporate overview and Scrutiny Committee regarding the Social Care overspend noting that immediate action would mean not providing care to those already identified and that we have a duty of care. He highlighted that the Members had already committed to reviewing the Social Care budget as a standing item at each meeting and Members agreed that this addressed the Referral. Moved by Councillor David Bryan; Seconded by Councillor Danny Young The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED a) That the Forward Work Programme be noted. b) That the Referral from the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee regarding the Social Care overspend be noted and is dealt with as a standing item at each meeting.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee have a clearer understanding of the Quarter 2 Budget Position and 2024/25 Budget Saving progress within Social Care and that the Members build on the understanding of the financial pressures Social Care Services and the Local Authority are facing across 2024/25 and the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP). [The meeting adjourned for a short break at this juncture.]
The Chair welcomed the Deputy Chief Finance Officer to the meeting. The Chair noted that the Performance Measures and Risks would be presented at the January meeting of the Committee and highlighted the referral received from the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The Director of Social Care, Housing and Public Protection then presented the Budgetary report to the Committee highlighting the progress that had been made towards efficiencies and an update on various projects. The Committee then debated the contents of the report, and the key points were noted as follows: In response to a question from Councillor Alec Cormack regarding the referral from the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Director explained they need to do things differently. He advised that there were preventative levers including the need to increase the number of Foster Carers and the work on the Parent and Families Allies network undertaken in Neath Port Talbot which could be replicated. The Head of Children’s Services advised the Committee of an approximately £5M projected pressure on the Authority due to unaccompanied Asylum seekers. In response to a concern from the Chair regarding the challenging financial position, the Head of Children’s Services advised that a comprehensive letter had been sent to Welsh Government and Central Government setting out the lack of fairness on how the funding was allocated particularly noting the geographical challenges in the Authority. Whilst no immediate relief or reassurance had been given, some medium-term reassurance regarding a review of the funding arrangements within Wales was given. The Head of Adult Services advised the Committee that there had been a huge transformation over the last 12 months in Adult Services with collaborative work being undertaken with the Health Board and the Third Sector around doing things differently. She highlighted that keeping people at home longer prevents the expensive packages of care on leaving hospital. In response to a concern raised by Councillor Steve Alderman regarding unaccompanied Asylum seekers, the Head of Children’s Services clarified that if the Asylum seekers have been in care for the qualifying period of time, the Authority is required to give support up to the age of 21. A Personal Advisor is assigned at age 16 and the support continues. He further noted that the cohort will continue to grow as support is available up to the age of 25 years. In response to concerns raised by Councillors Alderman, Cormack and Harries regarding the success rate and the savings measures, the Head of Children’s Services advised that the last 12 months had been very different to previous years and commended the work of colleagues in finance for the great support to provide the detail required. Moved by Councillor Alec Cormack; Seconded by Councillor Steve Alderman The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee have a clearer understanding of the Quarter 2 Budget Position and 2024/25 Budget Saving progress within Social Care and that the Members build on the understanding of the financial pressures Social Care Services and the Local Authority are facing across 2024/25 and the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP). [The meeting adjourned for a short break at this juncture.]
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the Committee note the report and the progress, which continues to be made, on the improvement of the delivery of Social Services during 2023/24.
The Chair welcomed the Director of Social Services, Housing and Public Protection who presented his Annual Director’s Report for the period 2023-24. The Committee then debated the contents of the report noting that it looked back over the last year. In response to a question from Councillor Maureen Bowen regarding a safe room as a prevention tool, the Director committed to reviewing that and reporting back to the Committee. In response to a concern raised by the Chair regarding declined calls, the Director advised that not all plans could be implemented in one financial year and that all plans formed an ongoing transformative journey. In response to a request from Councillor Alec Cormack regarding the information being available to the public, the Director advised that the report was accessible and available online. The Cabinet Member for Social Care and Safeguarding advised that the report was a statutory requirement. Moved by Councillor Danny Young; Seconded by Councillor Steve Alderman The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the Committee note the report and the progress, which continues to be made, on the improvement of the delivery of Social Services during 2023/24.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the Committee notes the work that is underway to review the current service for transitions, and to manage current transitions situations ahead of the development of an improvement programme.
The Chair welcomed the Head of Children’s Care to present the report on transitioning to new Adult and Child Services in the Authority highlighting the need to move towards a 0-25 years’ service. He noted that a review would be presented towards the end of March. Moved by Councillor David Bryan; Seconded by Councillor Steve Alderman The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the Committee notes the work that is underway to review the current service for transitions, and to manage current transitions situations ahead of the development of an improvement programme.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the Committee note the report and the excellent work being undertaken at Clynfyw Care Farm.
The Chair presented the report on the Committee’s visit to Clynfyw Care Farm on 21 November 2024. He commended the excellent attendance at the Care Farm as part of Carers week. Councillor Alderman agreed that this had been a wonderful opportunity to see the third sector at their best. The Chair highlighted that this was a flagship of what can be achieved and confirmed that a letter of thanks had been sent to the team. Moved by Councillor Steve Alderman; Seconded by Councillor Anji Tinley The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the Committee note the report and the excellent work being undertaken at Clynfyw Care Farm.
There were no items of public submissions or correspondence received.
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