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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 Action Log be noted.
RESOLVED That the changes made to the approved Forward Work Programme, as set out in the report, be noted, subject to the following additions: a) GP and Pharmacy Support be removed from the Forward Work Programme while the Chair and Vice-Chair meet with the Chief Executive of Hywel Dda University Health Board to discuss the subject further and to suggest a Members’ seminar following that. b) The inclusion of an update on the LIFT (Low Income Family Tracker) project within the Poverty report due to be presented to the January meeting. c) The Support and Funding for Palliative Care item be presented to the March meeting following a discussion between the Chair, Vice-Chair and the Chief Executive of Hywel Dda Health Board. d) The impact of initiatives to recruit more foster carers discussion be presented in both March and June’s meetings e) That an invitation to the team at The Wallich, Welsh Homelessness charity, be invited to provide a consultation to the Committee in the March meeting under the Homelessness item. f) A report on Service Level Agreements with the Health Board be added to the January meeting.
RESOLVED That the work carried out to date by the West Wales Regional Partnership Board be noted. [Councillor Iwan Ward left the meeting at this juncture.]
RESOLVED That the report be noted.
RESOLVED That the ongoing academic review of Children’s services practice thresholds be noted; and that the ongoing findings will inform a wider programme of change within the service be noted.
RESOLVED That the Social Care Capital Programme, the governance arrangements established and the progress to date in bringing capital schemes forward be noted. [Councillor Nicola Gwynn left the meeting at this juncture.]
RESOLVED That the Annual Report of the Statutory Director of Social Services, Pembrokeshire County Council for 2024/25 be noted.
RESOLVED (a) That the improvement check report from Care Inspectorate Wales be acknowledged. (b) That a further update relating to the action plan be received in six months’ time.
There were no apologies for absence received.
There were no declarations of interest made.
Moved by Councillor Alec Cormack; Seconded by Councillor Claire George. The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 11 September 2025 be approved as a correct record. [Councillor Michele Wiggins abstained from the vote as she did not attend the previous meeting.]
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the Action Log be noted.
The Committee considered a report by the Democratic and Scrutiny Services Officer on the actions arising from the last meeting. The Chair and the Head of Democratic Services presented the report, proceeding through the list of actions and discussing their status of completion. It was noted that two responses regarding Mental Health Issues are still needed from the Service Delivery Manager in relation to actions one and two in the log and that an email reminder was sent on the 21 October 2025. The Director of Social Care and the Head of Children’s Services provided an update regarding action 3, Foster Carer deregistration in relation to the Corporate Risk Register and Corporate Score Card item at the previous meeting. They advised that foster carers deregister for various reasons, including retirement, special guardianship orders, or children returning home. Pembrokeshire currently has 57 kinship carers supporting 81 children and 43 mainstream carers supporting 88 children. Many de-registrations reflect positive outcomes for children achieving permanence. The Chair noted that visits to the Intermediate Care Team at the hospital, Hillside, and the VC Centre remain outstanding. The VC Centre visit was previously cancelled due to low attendance and arrangements are being made to reschedule all visits. Moved by Councillor Claire George; Seconded by Councillor Alec Cormack. The votes, undertaken by way of a show of hands, were carried. RESOLVED That the Action Log be noted.
There were no public submissions received.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the changes made to the approved Forward Work Programme, as set out in the report, be noted, subject to the following additions: a) GP and Pharmacy Support be removed from the Forward Work Programme while the Chair and Vice-Chair meet with the Chief Executive of Hywel Dda University Health Board to discuss the subject further and to suggest a Members’ seminar following that. b) The inclusion of an update on the LIFT (Low Income Family Tracker) project within the Poverty report due to be presented to the January meeting. c) The Support and Funding for Palliative Care item be presented to the March meeting following a discussion between the Chair, Vice-Chair and the Chief Executive of Hywel Dda Health Board. d) The impact of initiatives to recruit more foster carers discussion be presented in both March and June’s meetings e) That an invitation to the team at The Wallich, Welsh Homelessness charity, be invited to provide a consultation to the Committee in the March meeting under the Homelessness item. f) A report on Service Level Agreements with the Health Board be added to the January meeting.
The Committee considered the Forward Work Programme for the next meeting and noted the changes that have been made. The Chair highlighted upcoming items for January 2026 including: · Poverty · Residential placements for children · An update from LLAIS. Previously, Members had expressed an interest in hearing about work with GP surgeries, particularly Argyle Street, Pembroke Dock, and how pharmacy use can be promoted. The Chair suggested arranging a meeting with the Chief Executive of Hywel Dda University Health Board to raise Members’ concerns and explore solutions, with a possible Member seminar in the longer term. Councillor Claire George asked the Director whether an update on the LIFT (Low Income Family Tracker) project would be included within the Poverty item at the January meeting, which the Director confirmed that it would. The Chair then highlighted the upcoming items for March 2026 including: · Citizens Advice Bureau · Mental Health Issues · Advocacy · Joint Working with Young Cares and Adult Carers · Homelessness The Chair referred to the question raised at Full Council on 9 October regarding the closure of Shalom House Hospice in St Davids by Councillor Joshua Beynon and confirmed that an item titled Support and Funding for Palliative Care would be added to the Forward Work Programme. Following discussion with the Director, it was agreed that the scope of the item will include engagement with Hywel Dda University Health Board as the primary commissioner of palliative care, with a report scheduled for the March meeting. The Committee also agreed that the item on the impact of initiatives to recruit more foster carers, including recent Cabinet decisions on improved terms and conditions and Council Tax exemption, would be scheduled for both the March and June meetings to allow further scrutiny and discussion. Councillor Michele Wiggins reported attending The Wallich Open Day in Haverfordwest and highlighted the organisation’s role in outreach and homelessness prevention. She suggested inviting representatives of The Wallich to provide a consultation for Members to raise awareness of their work. The Chair agreed to explore this proposal. Moved by Councillor David Bryan; Seconded by Councillor Claire George. The votes, undertaken by way of a show of hands, were carried. RESOLVED That the changes made to the approved Forward Work Programme, as set out in the report, be noted, subject to the following additions: a) GP and Pharmacy Support be removed from the Forward Work Programme while the Chair and Vice-Chair meet with the Chief Executive of Hywel Dda University Health Board to discuss the subject further and to suggest a Members’ seminar following that. b) The inclusion of an update on the LIFT (Low Income Family Tracker) project within the Poverty report due to be presented to the January meeting. c) The Support and Funding for Palliative Care item be presented to the March meeting following a discussion between the Chair, Vice-Chair and the Chief Executive of Hywel Dda Health Board. d) The impact of initiatives to recruit more foster carers discussion be presented in both March and June’s meetings e) That an invitation to the team at The Wallich, Welsh Homelessness charity, be invited to provide a consultation to the Committee in the March meeting under the Homelessness item. f) A report on Service Level Agreements with the Health Board be added to the January meeting.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the work carried out to date by the West Wales Regional Partnership Board be noted. [Councillor Iwan Ward left the meeting at this juncture.]
The Committee received a presentation on the West Wales Regional Partnership Board (RPB) and a brief overview of the RPB’s direction and current priorities and challenges. The Chair welcomed Linda Jones, Regional Partnership Board Programme Manager to the meeting to present the report. The RPB Manager provided the Committee with context of the objective and purpose of the RPB and gave further information specifically an update on Part 9 Regulations, which aims to transform partnership working from a statutory obligation into a dynamic, collaborative and citizen-focussed system requiring Partnership Bodies to be more proactive, driving transformation through strategic integration. The presentation also outlined the Integrated Community Care Systems (ICCS) noting that future funding from Welsh Government will be linked to this priority for the development of ICCS across population groups. The Committee received an update on the Regional Integration Fund (RIF), a five-year funding stream of over £18m per annum supporting more than 40 projects and 363 Full-Time Equivalent staff for the whole of West Wales, due to end in 2027. A robust governance process is in place to manage risks and plan for future funding, including gateway reviews and exit strategies where required. A new benefits realisation methodology is being applied to evidence outcomes and value. Early analysis of the Pembrokeshire Edge of Care team showed 41.8 placements avoided over six months, equating to £972,498 in cost avoidance and a return on investment of 2.86.1. Similar work is underway for other projects, including the joint equipment store and Home First service. The Chair thanked the RPB Manager for the presentation and then invited questions, and the following key points were noted. Councillor Claire George asked for reflections on the drivers behind changes to Part 9 and clarification of partner roles. The RPB Manager explained that the changes aim to provide clearer accountability and scrutiny, define the responsibilities of partnership bodies, and make the Regional Partnership Board more dynamic and collaborative. Updated guidance now sets out in detail who should be part of the Board and their roles. A briefing on the Part 9 update is available and can be shared with Members. Councillor Mike James asked whether rurality affects budgets and access to services. The RPB Manager advised that RIF funding is allocated on a population basis and does not account for rural challenges. However, issues such as transport and accessibility are regularly raised and require strong links with Public Service Boards and local clusters. She added that work is ongoing to strengthen collaboration in these areas. Councillor Alec Cormack noted the shift from passporting funds to local authorities towards challenge funds and joint projects and asked about other priority areas like dementia. The RPB Manager confirmed that refreshed population needs assessments and market stability reports highlight key challenges including dementia, children and young people, and mental health, with a focus on prevention and early intervention. Each Board meeting will consider which areas the RPB is best placed to address, with input welcomed from partners including PSBs and local clusters. Councillor Maureen Bowen emphasised the importance of prevention as an ongoing theme in the Committee’s work, particularly in relation to dementia. The RPB Manager confirmed that prevention is a core driver for the Regional Partnership Board, which brings together resources and intelligence to support early intervention. A workshop on this approach has been delivered elsewhere and could be offered to the Committee. The Chair further contributed to the discussion and asked about third sector involvement, citing projects such as Paul Sartori’s dementia work and the DPJ Foundation’s farming community initiative. The RPB Manager confirmed that the third sector is an integral partner on the Board and outlined plans to map funding streams and projects to avoid duplication and address gaps. Strengthening links with digital programmes was also noted as part of this work. The Director highlighted the role of the Healthier Pembrokeshire Strategic Group, which reports into the RPB and is co-chaired by the Director, a senior Health Board leader, and the Chief Executive of Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services (PAVS). The group focuses on partnership objectives that can only be achieved collaboratively. A live example is work on a co-located front door for adult services, bringing together statutory staff and third sector practitioners to ensure timely “what matters” conversations and divert demand from unnecessary statutory provision. Moved by Councillor Claire George; Seconded by Councillor Alec Cormack. The votes, undertaken by way of a show of hands, were carried. RESOLVED That the work carried out to date by the West Wales Regional Partnership Board be noted. [Councillor Iwan Ward left the meeting at this juncture.]
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the report be noted.
The Committee considered a report by the Head of Adult Care on the development of a 0–25-year-old service that meets the needs of vulnerable younger adults and children in care post 16. The Head of Adult Care highlighted significant challenges in supporting young people moving from children to adult services, noting that complexity does not end at 18. Current resources are insufficient, leading to delays, confusion for families, and costly crisis placements. An independent review by the Institute of Public Care (IPC) recommended a phased approach, starting with a joint team for ages 0–25 to reduce duplication and improve early intervention. Cultural differences between services and staff burnout were identified as barriers. Phase two would involve a fully integrated model with health, education, and third sector partners. A business plan is being developed, and engagement with families and carers will be central to shaping the service. The Chair then invited questions, and the following key points were noted. Councillor Alec Cormack expressed support for the proposed transition service and asked about financial implications and timelines. The Head of Adult Care advised that a business plan will be developed within six months, with early planning focused on reducing high-cost care packages through timely intervention. Examples were given of significant cost reductions achieved when planning starts at age 16. The importance of integrated working with partners to manage complex behavioural needs was emphasised. Councillor Claire George stressed the importance of early expectation-setting for young people and families and asked about additional resources and approaches to prevent individuals moving into statutory responsibility. The Head of Adult Care confirmed that the proposed service will require additional social workers and personal advisors, alongside existing teams, with an estimated pump-priming cost of £300,000 expected to be offset by reductions in care packages. Detailed resource plans are being developed. Councillor Mike James asked about funding for young people attending schools or colleges across county borders. The Head of Adult Care confirmed that Carmarthenshire already operates a 0–25 service and discussions have taken place with Ceredigion to share good practices with the aim to ensure consistency across West Wales. Councillor Alec Cormack requested regular updates on the development of the transition service. The Head of Adult Care confirmed that reports can be brought back as required. The Chair proposed revisiting the item in six months and that it would be added to the Forward Work Programme. The Cabinet Member for Young People, Community, Well-being and Future Generations emphasised the importance of engaging with young people and ensuring advocacy shapes service design. He highlighted the need to maximise resources to deliver efficient, high-quality support and noted that aligning portfolios for young people and future generations strengthens the focus on smoothing transitions through the 0–25 agenda. Moved by Councillor Mike James; Seconded by Councillor David Bryan. The votes, undertaken by way of a show of hands, were carried. RESOLVED That the report be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the ongoing academic review of Children’s services practice thresholds be noted; and that the ongoing findings will inform a wider programme of change within the service be noted.
The Committee considered an update report by the Head of Children’s Services on the review of Children’s Services practice thresholds and the work which has been carried out to date. The Chair welcomed Chris Frey-Davies to Pembrokeshire County Council as the new Head of Children’s Services and expressed confidence that his experience will benefit the Authority, before inviting him to present the report. The Head of Children’s Services reported that an academic review of practice thresholds is underway to inform a wider programme of change. Early improvements include more considered decision-making, stronger multi-agency working, and fewer children requiring placement on the child protection register. The Committee noted the positive progress and collaborative approach. The Chair then invited questions, and the following key points were noted. Councillor Alec Cormack noted the importance of the item and asked about plans for a whole-system event and performance data. The Head of Children’s Services confirmed that Pembrokeshire remains an outlier with 52 children per 10,000 on the child protection register compared to around 20 elsewhere and highlighted the need to reduce unnecessary Section 47 inquiries through cultural change and “what matters” conversations. A whole-system approach will involve multi-agency training and stakeholder engagement, with Committee Members welcome to participate. The Chair suggested that practice thresholds be revisited in six-months’ time to monitor progress. Councillor Claire George queried the rationale for slowing down decision-making processes. The Head of Children’s Services explained that while urgent cases are addressed immediately, most reports allow for more considered responses. Slowing decisions enables better analysis, multi-agency engagement, and cultural change, reducing unnecessary interventions and promoting early, proportionate support. Plans include streamlining IT systems and exploring co-location with partners to improve collaboration. In response to Councillor Maureen Bowen seeking clarification on how many staff vacancies are currently within the Department, the Head of Children’s Services said that it was something he had already requested a report on and that the information would be provided to the Committee once he had the information. The Director added that due to the intricacies of the information, the Committee could consider adding it to the Forward Work Programme. Moved by Councillor Alec Cormack; Seconded by Councillor Claire George. The votes, undertaken by way of a show of hands, were carried. RESOLVED That the ongoing academic review of Children’s services practice thresholds be noted; and that the ongoing findings will inform a wider programme of change within the service be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the Social Care Capital Programme, the governance arrangements established and the progress to date in bringing capital schemes forward be noted. [Councillor Nicola Gwynn left the meeting at this juncture.]
The Committee considered an update report by the Strategic Joint Commissioning Officers on the current position of social care services. The Chair welcomed Chris Harrison, Head of Strategic Joint Commissioning and Ian Randell, Strategic Commissioning Manager to the meeting to present the report. The Committee received a presentation on the 10-year Strategic Commissioning Plan for social care, approved by Cabinet in June. The plan sets out commissioning priorities, including capital investment, to address rising demand, demographic pressures, and market challenges, supported by a new Social Services Capital Programme Board. Delivery will draw on national and regional funds, with match funding likely required, and early progress includes new children’s residential homes and supported accommodation projects. Key risks identified include workforce shortages, limited project management capacity, environmental compliance requirements, uncertainty over future capital funding, competition for grants, and affordability pressures, with mitigation planning underway. The Chair thanked the Strategic Commissioning Manager for the comprehensive update, welcomed the progress being made, and emphasised the Committee’s commitment to supporting timely delivery and addressing any barriers within the Authority. The Chair then invited questions, and the following key points were noted. Councillor David Bryan welcomed confirmation that development at Haverfordia House will commence in January. He queried the impact of an ageing population and increasing single-person households on the Council’s tax base and asked about potential sites for care centres in Haverfordwest. The Strategic Commissioning Manager acknowledged the revenue implications, confirming these will be addressed through business case processes, and advised that site options remain under review pending partner strategies and asset mapping. The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care emphasised the important role of the Committee in providing oversight and scrutiny of the Social Services Capital Programme Board. She noted the competing priorities for capital budgets across the Authority and welcomed the Committee’s input in ensuring social care remains a focus. It was confirmed that each project will be subject to a business case and Cabinet approval before proceeding. Councillor Claire George asked about engagement with communities on future care planning, integration with housing investment, project prioritisation, and the meaning of feasibility. The Strategic Commissioning Manager confirmed that local engagement is ongoing, housing colleagues are fully involved in governance, prioritisation is informed by need assessments and local context, and feasibility studies assess site options, revenue implications, and cost-benefit analysis. The Head of Adult Care endorsed Councillor George’s points and assured Members that community engagement is central to service planning. Councillor Alec Cormack queried the £28.25m allocation for working-age adults and asked what additional capacity this would provide. The Strategic Commissioning Manager explained that the figure reflects an ambition to expand supported accommodation as an alternative to residential care for adults with disabilities. While specific projects are not yet defined, the allocation signals the scale of need and will be reviewed regularly to ensure provision meets demand. The Chair then invited the Head of Strategic Joint Commissioning to respond to previous points raised. She highlighted market risks, noting that around 50% of older people’s care providers were uncertain about remaining in the market over the next 5–10 years. She stressed the need for strategic planning to mitigate cost pressures and confirmed ongoing work to support a shift toward not-for-profit models, including engagement with PAVS and Compass. It was noted that the Commissioning Plan, now in the public domain, sets out clear strategic intent and will be refined in response to market feedback. Moved by Councillor David Bryan; Seconded by Councillor Steve Alderman. The votes, undertaken by way of a show of hands, were carried. RESOLVED That the Social Care Capital Programme, the governance arrangements established and the progress to date in bringing capital schemes forward be noted. [Councillor Nicola Gwynn left the meeting at this juncture.]
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the Annual Report of the Statutory Director of Social Services, Pembrokeshire County Council for 2024/25 be noted.
The Chair welcomed the Director of Social Care and Housing who presented his Annual Director’s Report for the period 2024 – 2025, covering a look at the performances of Social Services over the previous financial year. The Chair then invited questions, and the following key points were noted. Councillor Alec Cormack asked the Director to reflect on the most significant progress made since the previous report. The Director highlighted improvements in Adult Services through multi-agency working and demand management at the front door, supported by the Vanguard methodology. In Children’s Services, investment in preventative activity and plans for co-location at the front door were noted. He also emphasised the adoption of a strengths-based practice model and collaborative communication training across Social Services, Housing, Health, and the voluntary sector, which has strengthened professional relationships and improved engagement with residents. The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care thanked the Director for presenting the report and encouraged Members to read it as a useful reference on the breadth of Social Sare services and partnership working. She highlighted improvements in adult safeguarding following recent reconfiguration, noting that this will be reflected in the forthcoming Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) letter. The Chair drew the Committee’s attention to the compliments featured within the report, noting how appreciated the service is and he pointed out that feedback for the frontline staff needs to be acknowledged. Moved by Councillor Claire George; Seconded by Councillor Alec Cormack. The votes, undertaken by way of a show of hands, were carried. RESOLVED That the Annual Report of the Statutory Director of Social Services, Pembrokeshire County Council for 2024/25 be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED (a) That the improvement check report from Care Inspectorate Wales be acknowledged. (b) That a further update relating to the action plan be received in six months’ time.
The Committee considered a report by the Head of Adult Care on the Care Inspectorate Wales’ (CIW) improvement check undertaken between 8 and 9 July 2025. The Head of Adult Care reported on the recent Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) review, noting significant improvements since the April 2024 visit. Outstanding case reviews have reduced from over 1,400 to 299, and pending assessments are now under 100. Cultural changes within Adult Services and strengthened safeguarding arrangements were highlighted, alongside continued commitment to the Improvement Plan, which is monitored monthly. While further work remains, she added that the service is in its most positive position to date. The Chair welcomed the positive findings in the CIW report and congratulated the Head of Adult Care and her team on the significant improvements achieved. He noted that while further action is required, this represents progress rather than a negative and highlighted the dramatic reduction in waiting figures as an important achievement. The Chair then invited questions, and the following key points were noted. Councillor Alec Cormack echoed thanks for the improvements and asked about staff morale and references to DATIX forms for unsafe hospital discharges. The Head of Adult Care advised that investment has been made in training, trauma supervision, and support for staff, alongside work with Social Care Wales on case allocation and supervision standards. Staff feedback is being sought to inform further improvements. On DATIX, she explained that unsafe discharge reports are now shared with Social Care and reviewed by safeguarding teams, with joint work underway with the Health Board to address risks and improve discharge processes. Councillor Claire George asked for clarification on actions marked as ‘not started’ in the Improvement Plan. The Head of Adult Care explained that these were included for transparency, and some depend on external organisations. She assured Members that the plan is reviewed regularly and confirmed confidence in meeting the scheduled dates, with a completed action plan to be brought back once all work is finalised. The Director of Social Care and Housing provided assurance that morale concerns relate to a small part of the service facing high demand and complexity, rather than Adult Services as a whole. He outlined plans for internal support on case recording, supervision, and allocation, alongside feedback loops to address issues promptly. The Collaborative Communication Programme and mentor network were highlighted as key initiatives to strengthen practice and provide ongoing staff support. Moved by Councillor Claire George; Seconded by Councillor Aaron Carey. The votes, undertaken by way of a show of hands, were carried. RESOLVED (a) That the improvement check report from Care Inspectorate Wales be acknowledged. (b) That a further update relating to the action plan be received in six months’ time.
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