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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 (a) That the changes made to the approved Forward Work Programme, as set out in the report, be noted, subject to the following addition: (i) Special Guardianship Policy to be reviewed at the June 2026 meeting during the Recruitment of Foster Carers item. (b) That a Forward Work Programme session be arranged every six months. (c) That a referral be made to the Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee for them to consider an item on Homelessness. (d) That the referral from the Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee relating to recruitment and retention of social workers be noted and referred to the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee for consideration. [The webcast was paused at 10:22 due to a technical issue. It then resumed at 10:30]
RESOLVED That the report and presentation on the work taking place to date and the ongoing priorities and work programme of Citizens Advice Pembrokeshire (CAP) be noted.
RESOLVED (a) That the work of the Region to meet the obligations of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (SSWBA) with regards to the delivery of advocacy services in West Wales be noted. (b) That the role which advocacy has in assisting people to express their views and make informed choices, thereby ensuring they have access to relevant services, be noted.
RESOLVED That the current position and progress being made in relation to the provision of Foster Care across Pembrokeshire be noted.
RESOLVED That the Quarter 3 Budget Position and the 2025/26 Budget Saving progress within Social Care be noted.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Aaron Carey, Phil Kidney and Councillor Iwan Ward, who was substituted by Councillor Huw Murphy.
The following declaration was made: Item 7 – Citizens Advice Pembrokeshire Councillor Mike James declared a personal interest by virtue of being a trustee for Citizens Advice Ceredigion.
Moved by Councillor David Bryan; 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 29 January 2026 be approved as a correct record. Councillor Huw Murphy abstained from voting due to not attending the 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 presented the report, proceeding through the list of actions and discussing their status of completion. The Chair highlighted that one of the outstanding actions was a visit to Hillside in Fishguard. In response, the Head of Adult Care advised that the invitation for the Members to visit the site was open and would take place following the Senedd Pre-Election period. Moved by Councillor Claire George; Seconded by Councillor David Bryan. 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 (a) That the changes made to the approved Forward Work Programme, as set out in the report, be noted, subject to the following addition: (i) Special Guardianship Policy to be reviewed at the June 2026 meeting during the Recruitment of Foster Carers item. (b) That a Forward Work Programme session be arranged every six months. (c) That a referral be made to the Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee for them to consider an item on Homelessness. (d) That the referral from the Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee relating to recruitment and retention of social workers be noted and referred to the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee for consideration. [The webcast was paused at 10:22 due to a technical issue. It then resumed at 10:30]
The Committee considered the Forward Work Programme for the next and forthcoming meetings and noted the changes that have been made. The Chair advised that several amendments to the Forward Work Programme had been identified following discussion at a recent forward planning session. He emphasised the need for the Committee to redirect matters outside its remit, particularly issues relating to staff and internal mental health support, to the appropriate committees, noting that the Committee’s role is to consider mental?health provision within the third sector. An update from LLAIS, originally scheduled for the March meeting, was not available as regional directors were currently unable to provide a report or attend. The Democratic Services Officer would seek an alternative contact to present the update at the next suitable meeting. Councillor David Bryan expressed concern regarding the update from LLAIS being deferred “until further notice,” noting the potential length of such a delay and seeking clarification on the reason for this wording. The Democratic Services Officer advised that the delay arose from recruitment difficulties within the organisation, including a vacant deputy post and associated workload and health pressures within the team, and therefore no firm attendance date could be offered. The Chair emphasised the importance of receiving regular updates from LLAIS, noting their role in representing public experience of health services and highlighting the Committee’s expectation of feedback on the work undertaken at the Argyle Street surgery, which had not yet been received. The Chair advised that the update on support and funding for palliative care, previously scheduled for the March meeting, could not be presented as representatives had not responded to the Democratic Services Officer. It was noted that the matter would be pursued further, with support from the Director, and brought to the next available meeting. The Chair advised that the homelessness item, previously identified for the March agenda, did not fall within the Committee’s remit following review at the Forward Work Programme session. He suggested that the matter be referred to the Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee should Members be minded to do so. The Committee agreed to refer the item accordingly and the Chair requested that an email be issued to progress the referral. The Chair advised that the mental health item was removed from the March agenda during the Forward Work Programme session, as more specific objectives were required for Committee consideration. It was agreed that future focus would centre on support within the county delivered through third?sector grants administered or shared by the Council. The Chair reported a referral from the Policy and Pre?decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee requesting scrutiny of the recruitment and retention of social workers, including whether pay levels were a contributing factor. The Head of Adult Care advised that there were no vacancies for Social Workers within Adult Social Care, with pressures instead centred on mental health services due to a national shortage of Approved Mental Health Practitioners. She outlined ongoing recruitment efforts, training challenges, and mitigations in place, while assuring Members of the high skill level of the existing workforce. The Chair concluded that, while the Committee could note the position, the pay?related elements of the referral fell outside its remit and would be passed to the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee for consideration. The Chair outlined the Forward Work Programme for June, noting that the agenda would include items on care for vulnerable young adults and post?16 support for children in care, an update on unpaid carers, recruitment of foster carers, the Annual Report 2025–26, Service Level Agreements with the Health Board, the Most Significant Change approach, and Service Improvement Plans. He highlighted that the June agenda was already substantial, with September, November and January meetings likewise fully populated, and invited Members to indicate if any further items were required. Councillor Huw Murphy referred to the Cabinet decision of July 2023 on the Special Guardianship Order (SGO) Policy, noting its anticipated impact on reducing the number of children in care and expressing concern that no reference to SGOs appeared in the current reports. He requested that the Committee receive information on current SGO numbers, comparative data from three years prior, and an assessment of whether the policy has been successful. The Chair agreed that the matter would be incorporated into the scheduled item on foster carer recruitment in June’s meeting, noting that wider discussion would take place when the relevant statistics are presented. Moved by Councillor Huw Murphy; Seconded by Councillor Billy Shaw. The votes, undertaken by way of a show of hands, were carried. RESOLVED (a) That the changes made to the approved Forward Work Programme, as set out in the report, be noted, subject to the following addition: (i) Special Guardianship Policy to be reviewed at the June 2026 meeting during the Recruitment of Foster Carers item. (b) That a Forward Work Programme session be arranged every six months. (c) That a referral be made to the Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee for them to consider an item on Homelessness. (d) That the referral from the Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee relating to recruitment and retention of social workers be noted and referred to the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee for consideration. [The webcast was paused at 10:22 due to a technical issue. It then resumed at 10:30]
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the report and presentation on the work taking place to date and the ongoing priorities and work programme of Citizens Advice Pembrokeshire (CAP) be noted.
The Committee received a presentation by the Community Safety, Poverty and Regeneration Manager, the Chief Executive and the Service Delivery Manager of Citizens Advice Pembrokeshire on the work taking place of Citizens Advice Pembrokeshire. The Chair welcomed the Community Safety, Poverty and Regeneration Manager, who presented the annual report and highlighted that this was the third consecutive update, enabling clear comparison of year?on?year trends. She advised that Pembrokeshire Citizens Advice delivers the commissioned specialist financial advice and income?maximisation service, alongside wider community?based work, with a short update also provided this year on the service delivered by Citizens Advice in Ceredigion. She outlined that Citizens Advice Pembrokeshire provides a free, impartial and confidential advice service accessible county?wide, operating both reactively in crisis situations and proactively to prevent escalation of financial difficulties. The Community Safety, Poverty and Regeneration Manager reported continuing high demand due to increased living costs, with rising complexity in debt cases and growing levels of poverty, including hidden rural poverty and in?work poverty. Headline figures for 2024-25 included support to 2,887 clients, 15,627 issues addressed, 24,168 activities undertaken, £2.8m in income gains and £318k of debt written off. Updates were also provided on the People Power Project and the Money Cares Project, both of which had secured significant income gains for residents. She confirmed that this was the final report under the current contract and advised that re?tendering had commenced, with market engagement completed and a public tender expected to go live in September. She emphasised the strength of the partnership with Citizens Advice and recommended that annual reporting continue under the new contract. The Chief Executive of Citizens Advice Pembrokeshire introduced the presentation alongside the Service Delivery Manager, noting her recent appointment in November and outlining that a short overview had been prepared to highlight key client issues, outcomes and progress against current strategic priorities, as well as priorities for the year ahead. She confirmed that Citizens Advice Pembrokeshire, as an independent charity, provides free, impartial and confidential advice across a wide range of matters including housing, debt, income maximisation, employment and consumer issues. During the year, nearly 3,000 unique clients were supported, rising to almost 4,000 when repeat contacts are included, with over 15,000 issues addressed, and 95% of clients reporting that they would not have been able to resolve their concerns without assistance. She advised that while the volume of welfare benefits and Universal Credit issues remained consistent with the previous year, cases relating to debt and financial capability had more than doubled, and issues linked to disability benefits had also increased significantly. She added that referrals for food parcels and fuel vouchers remained at similar levels, and that the proportion of clients with disabilities or long?term health conditions was unchanged. She then invited her colleague to present further detail on client outcomes and case complexity. The Service Delivery Manager reported that client outcomes for the current year to date were highly positive, with income?maximisation gains approaching £3 million and £335,000 of debt written off. He advised, however, that increasing case complexity, particularly priority debts such as rent, council tax and energy arrears combined with negative household budgets, left limited scope for sustainable debt?resolution options, often requiring negotiation with creditors rather than formal solutions such as bankruptcy or debt?relief orders. He outlined trends in presenting issues, noting significant rises in debt?related demand following increased living costs, particularly food prices, and highlighted corresponding increases in food bank usage across the county. He also detailed efforts to expand accessibility, including broader use of email, telephone and referral routes, an increased number of outreach locations, approximately 150 home visits annually, and the use of interpretation services and AI?supported tools to assist clients who cannot access services during office hours or who require support in other languages. The Chief Executive reported that Citizens Advice Pembrokeshire continues to prioritise improving advice access for vulnerable groups through partnership projects, including Partners for the Journey, the Pembrokeshire Welfare Rights work, the Money Cares Project for unpaid carers, and the Food Bank partnership, which has secured further funding for two years. She also highlighted investment in staff and volunteers through the Real Living Wage uplift, ongoing remuneration review, and strong volunteer engagement. The Service Delivery Manager added that the organisation works proactively to address systemic issues by feeding local evidence into national Citizens Advice campaigns, engaging regularly with elected representatives, and supporting wider third?sector collaboration through the Words to Action project. The Chief Executive concluded by outlining the organisation’s strategic priority to maintain a financially robust and sustainable service. She reported that key funding streams had been secured for the coming year, including the Welsh Government Single Advice Fund (year one of a three?plus?three?year programme delivered regionally), continued Regional Integration Fund (RIF) funding for Partners for the Journey, and multi?year continuation funding for the Beyond the Food Bank project. She noted that forecast income for 2026-27 was approximately £800,000, with 47% derived from the Single Advice Fund, 37% from Pembrokeshire County Council, and the remainder from RIF, food bank projects and other income. Priorities for 2026-27 include securing ongoing funding for Partners for the Journey, bidding for the Council’s specialist advice contract, strengthening relationships with newly elected Members, concluding the remuneration review and staff consultation, expanding volunteer recruitment, continuing the Words to Action community of practice, and exploring further partnership opportunities to improve access for vulnerable groups, including Gypsy and Traveller communities, the farming community and foster carers. The Committee then debated the contents of the report with the key points highlighted as follows: Councillor David Bryan queried the lack of regular engagement with Senedd Members. The Service Delivery Manager explained that most issues raised, such as benefits and debt, are non?devolved and are requiring escalation to Westminster MPs rather than the Senedd. He noted that communication with MPs had strengthened since the 2024 Westminster election and confirmed that a similar proactive approach would be taken following the Senedd elections, although many matters will continue to require Westminster involvement. Councillor Claire George expressed strong support for the work of Citizens Advice and queried whether the rise in housing?related issues stemmed primarily from the private rented sector or was equally evident among registered social landlords. The Service Delivery Manager advised that problems were evident across both private and social housing, including issues of fitness for human habitation such as damp and mould following strengthened enforcement powers under the Welsh Housing Act. He noted that the most significant challenge was the scarcity of affordable accommodation, with increasing homelessness and waiting lists for temporary housing. Rising rents over recent years were identified as the main driver, with affordability barriers such as rent in advance and tenancy bonds mitigated where possible through partnership pathways and discretionary funds. He added that while instances of unscrupulous landlords existed, they were not as prevalent as in larger urban areas. Councillor Claire George asked what further actions the Authority could take to support the agenda around housing quality and homelessness, noting the Council’s responsibilities as a registered social landlord, and also sought reflections on client engagement channels given the lower?than?expected level of in?person contact. The Service Delivery Manager explained that while face?to?face access and drop?in services remain in high demand, capacity constraints, particularly the loss of experienced advisers during and after the pandemic and the lengthy training period required for new staff and volunteers, limit the ability to expand these offers. He advised that the service continues to prioritise accessibility through a mix of telephone, outreach and digital channels, and highlighted ambitions to increase drop?in provision and extend outreach, particularly in the north of the county, as resources allow. Councillor Claire George asked whether Citizens Advice staff undertake a specific accredited qualification as part of their training. The Service Delivery Manager explained that generalist advisers complete an extensive internal training and accreditation programme set by National Citizens Advice, covering benefits, debt, housing, employment and consumer matters, with ongoing quality checks and policy assurance. He noted that specialist debt work is additionally regulated through Financial Conduct Authority accreditation and that organisational accreditation is held under the AQS (Advice Quality Standard). He was not aware of any external National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)?level qualification in general advice services but undertook to explore this further and report back. The Head of Adult Care thanked Citizens Advice for a valuable and insightful presentation and confirmed that the Authority continues to work closely with the service, particularly through recent work at the adult social care front door, where Citizens Advice has participated in multi?agency discussions to support those presenting with complex needs. She advised that the Directorate could assist further by offering access to available social enterprise space in Crymych and invited Citizens Advice colleagues to discuss this support outside the meeting. Councillor Alec Cormack thanked Citizens Advice for the presentation and, referring to the data within the report, queried whether the high number of benefit?related issues per client indicated that individuals were waiting too long before seeking support, and whether the predominance of clients aged 60-64 reflected people delaying contact until their circumstances became unsustainable. The Service Delivery Manager explained that the increase in multiple benefit issues was largely due to the national migration from legacy benefits to Universal Credit, which required detailed checks and income?maximisation work to ensure clients were protected through transitional arrangements. He noted that the higher proportion of clients aged 60-64 was consistent with rising health?related needs in that age group, often linked to reduced capacity to continue in long?term employment. In response to a further query, he confirmed that Personal Independence Payment (PIP) decisions continued to generate a high volume of appeals, with historically around 70% of tribunal outcomes in favour of the claimant, contributing to significant national backlogs and delays. Councillor David Bryan asked whether Citizens Advice could face legal action if incorrect advice were provided to a client. The Service Delivery Manager confirmed that the organisation is covered by professional indemnity insurance, noting that while complaints about advice do arise, these typically relate to clients being informed of options they may not wish to hear. He advised that, to his knowledge, Citizens Advice Pembrokeshire has not faced any claims, although such cases may have occurred elsewhere in the wider network. Councillor Huw Murphy thanked Citizens Advice for their work and raised concerns regarding the high number of older people seeking advice, noting the challenges posed by priority debt and escalating council tax enforcement. He asked how the service supports individuals presenting with significant debt. The Service Delivery Manager explained that advisers begin with a full financial statement to assess income, expenditure and disposable income, enabling appropriate arrangements such as token payments, structured repayment plans or, where eligible, debt relief orders. He highlighted the increasing number of clients with negative budgets, limiting available options, but confirmed that Citizens Advice works closely with the Council’s Revenues team to reinstate manageable Council tax payment plans where necessary. Councillor Murphy further queried support available for off?grid households facing rising oil costs and raised concerns about hidden rural poverty. The Service Delivery Manager advised that assistance is available through the Welsh Government’s Discretionary Assistance Fund, which currently provides up to £750 per application and £1,500 per rolling year towards oil deliveries, and noted recent engagement with local and national representatives to ensure awareness of available support. The Chief Executive added that improving reach into rural North Pembrokeshire, including Welsh?language provision, is a priority for the coming year, with plans to identify additional resources to strengthen engagement with rural and isolated communities. Councillor Mike James highlighted the importance of Citizens Advice provision in North Pembrokeshire and its partnership with Ceredigion Citizens Advice, noting that weekly drop?in sessions in Cardigan serve a significant number of Pembrokeshire residents. He reported that 90% of those attending the Cardigan drop?in, 199 individuals, were Pembrokeshire residents, generating substantial income?maximisation outcomes and debt?relief support for the area. He emphasised that the service draws clients from communities including Llandygwydd, Cilgerran, Eglwyswrw, Pontgarreg, Manordeifi, Goodwick and Newport, and stressed the value of ensuring Welsh?language capacity at sessions. He expressed gratitude for the County Council’s financial support, underscoring the importance of this cross?county partnership in delivering accessible advice services for North Pembrokeshire. The Chair noted ongoing concerns from constituents regarding delayed responses from the Valuation Office in relation to council tax queries, particularly second?home assessments, with some cases awaiting action for more than six months. He emphasised that such delays caused significant anxiety for residents facing financial pressures. The Chair also welcomed Citizens Advice’s intention to strengthen provision in North and East Pembrokeshire, observing that communities north and east of the A40 are often overlooked, and expressed support for the organisation’s plans to expand its reach in those areas. Councillor Claire George sought observations on social tariffs and the prevalence of loan?shark activity. The Service Delivery Manager advised that doorstep lending appeared to have declined compared with previous years, with far fewer cases reported to debt advisers. He noted, however, a marked increase in issues linked to “buy now, pay later” arrangements, with some clients now relying on such services for essential items, including food. Regarding social tariffs, he confirmed that water and telecoms providers offer a range of schemes and that Citizens Advice ensures clients are made aware of these. He explained that energy?related social tariffs are more limited and subject to varying eligibility rules and availability, and he undertook to gather further detail and report back to the Committee. Moved by Councillor Billy Shaw; Seconded by Councillor Claire George. The votes, undertaken by way of a show of hands, were carried. RESOLVED That the report and presentation on the work taking place to date and the ongoing priorities and work programme of Citizens Advice Pembrokeshire (CAP) be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED (a) That the work of the Region to meet the obligations of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (SSWBA) with regards to the delivery of advocacy services in West Wales be noted. (b) That the role which advocacy has in assisting people to express their views and make informed choices, thereby ensuring they have access to relevant services, be noted.
The Committee received a presentation on the Regional Advocacy Action Plan including the Regional Independent Professional Advocacy (IPA) contract and the Regional Advocacy Strategy Implementation Plan. The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Councillor Tessa Hodgson, briefly introduced the item, noting that under the Social Services and Well?being (Wales) Act the Authority is required to commission independent professional advocacy services. She highlighted the importance of advocacy in promoting the voice and control of individuals, drawing Members’ attention to the case studies and quotations within the report, which clearly demonstrated the significant impact and value of advocacy support. The Chair welcomed the Commissioning Manager, Dr Kevin Pett, the Programme and Change Manager from the Regional Partnership Board as well as Sarah Mackintosh from Carmarthenshire People First to the meeting to present the report. The Commissioning Manager advised that she holds responsibility for the adult advocacy contract in Pembrokeshire and confirmed that the Authority commissions a collaborative partnership of five independent professional advocacy providers, collectively known as 3CiPA (Three?County Independent Professional Advocacy), in conjunction with regional partners in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion. She referred Members to the report outlining the Council’s statutory duties to ensure access to advocacy under the Social Services and Well?being (Wales) Act and summarised the update provided on current service delivery and outcomes. She stated that Sarah McIntosh, Manager of one of the partner services, and Dr Kevin Pett of the Regional Partnership Board would present key information on adult advocacy provision and progress against the regional advocacy strategy, with an opportunity for questions to follow. The Programme and Change Manager outlined the regional advocacy strategy, noting that it forms part of a wider programme of jointly commissioned activity spanning children’s services, working?age adults and older adults. He highlighted ongoing regional work on complex needs, children’s placements, transitions for working?age adults and pre?placement arrangements and quality assurance for older people. He introduced the presentation’s focus on the purpose and benefits of advocacy, the development of the regional Independent Professional Advocacy (IPA) model and its implementation across West Wales. The Manager of Carmarthenshire People First then described the core principles of advocacy, ensuring individuals receive information in a way they can understand and enabling voice, choice and control, together with the range of advocacy types offered through the 3CiPA partnership. She explained the role of independent professional advocates in supporting informed decision?making, safeguarding rights and strengthening self?advocacy, and outlined the breadth of support provided across mental health, physical health, learning disability, neurodiversity, carers and older people. The Committee received an overview of statutory duties under the Social Services and Well?being (Wales) Act, progress made through the regional strategy since 2022, associated challenges around funding and workforce, and examples of the positive impact of advocacy on individuals. The Chair thanked the officers for the presentation and then invited questions, and the following key points were noted. Councillor Claire George thanked officers for the presentation and emphasised the importance of advocacy in supporting individuals who may not understand public?sector processes or be able to express their views independently. She highlighted the value of advocacy and asked for further detail on how the impact of advocacy was being measured, including the outcomes being monitored and how the Authority could be assured that the service was making a meaningful difference to people’s lives. The Commissioning Manager explained that when the service was recommissioned, significant work was undertaken to define a much more robust contract?monitoring framework. Prior to 2022, data collection across advocacy services had been minimal, but providers now contribute to a comprehensive information?gathering process reviewed quarterly. This includes monitoring presenting needs, outcomes for individuals, increasing case complexity and the use of self?advocacy. She noted that the system continues to develop as partners refine the detail required to understand demand and emerging issues. Councillor George sought further clarity on whether themed intelligence, similar to that presented by Citizens Advice, was being captured, and whether waiting lists, escalation of need and operational pressures were fully understood. She asked what detail could be drawn from the new monitoring system to ensure the Committee is sighted on key pressures in the advocacy pathway. The Commissioning Manager advised that data on reasons for referral, presenting issues and service outcomes is being strengthened, with client voice forming an important part of that feedback. She confirmed that further refinement is underway to ensure that commissioners have a clear picture of service pressures and trends. The Manager of Carmarthenshire People First provided further insight into operational processes, explaining that referrals enter through a single point of contact, enabling triage and allocation to the most appropriate specialist agency. She outlined the use of a secure shared database which allows advocates to record case activity and progress consistently across the region. She noted that work is underway to break down broad categories such as “social care” into more detailed sub?themes, such as tribunal issues, review delays or accommodation concerns, to improve the quality of data available to commissioners. Councillor George asked how insights from advocacy, particularly around frustrations in care pathways, are fed back into the redesign work in Adult and Children’s Social Care. She emphasised the importance of ensuring that the wider system learns from advocacy feedback and that any identified barriers are fed into service improvement processes. The Head of Adult Services welcomed the point and confirmed that she had already contacted colleagues in response to the discussion, inviting advocacy representatives to attend the next Adult Services Practitioner Forum. She acknowledged that regular feedback loops are currently limited and agreed that improving the flow of information from advocacy into workforce and service?redesign discussions would be highly beneficial. The Manager of Carmarthenshire People First added that in Carmarthenshire, her organisation maintains close working links with learning disability teams and transition groups, ensuring that operational issues are fed into local working arrangements. She confirmed she would take the discussion back to regional colleagues to strengthen similar connections within Pembrokeshire, including increasing training and awareness among local practitioners. Moved by Councillor Claire George; Seconded by Councillor Billy Shaw. The votes, undertaken by way of a show of hands, were carried. RESOLVED (a) That the work of the Region to meet the obligations of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (SSWBA) with regards to the delivery of advocacy services in West Wales be noted. (b) That the role which advocacy has in assisting people to express their views and make informed choices, thereby ensuring they have access to relevant services, be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the current position and progress being made in relation to the provision of Foster Care across Pembrokeshire be noted.
The Committee considered an update report by the Head of Children’s Services on the demand, sufficiency and strategic response regarding Foster Care in Pembrokeshire. Councillor Marc Tierney, Cabinet Member for Young People, Community, Well-being and Future Generations, introduced the item, expressing his strong support for the report and emphasising the importance of fostering in Pembrokeshire. He highlighted the national context in which foster carers are ageing and numbers have reduced since the pandemic, while locally the number of looked?after children has increased, resulting in higher residential care costs and occasions where young people could not be placed within the county. He outlined the Authority’s commitment to improving retention and recruitment, recognising the existing skills and social capital within the fostering community, and noted the recently agreed discretionary council tax discount as an important tool to support carers. He referred to the encouraging rise in fostering enquiries, the positive outcomes associated with step?up and step?down arrangements, and the continued focus on strengthening relationships with families to promote better outcomes and prevent children entering care where possible. He also stressed the importance of respite provision and clear communication about available support, including assistance with home?heating costs. Councillor Tierney concluded by acknowledging the dedication of staff working with children and families, noting their vital frontline role, and confirmed he would take questions following the operational update from the Head of Children’s Services. The Chair welcomed Chris Frey-Davies, Head of Children’s Services to the meeting to present the report. The Committee received an update which highlighted three key areas of progress set out in the report. Firstly, the Head of Children’s Services advised that the fostering workforce was being rebuilt, with eight new approvals since the last report to Committee and eleven approvals achieved this year to date, alongside seven prospective foster carers currently undergoing assessment. He noted that inquiries had increased significantly, supported by strengthened marketing activity and more impactful, locally focused messaging. Secondly, he outlined the measures being taken to support and retain existing carers, including increased foster care allowances, the introduction of council tax discounts, enhanced training, improved peer support networks and investment in the core structure of the service to ensure carers feel valued and connected. Thirdly, he reported ongoing work to prevent the need for children to enter care through the Step?Up/Step?Down programme, which is helping families remain together safely, and through expanding support for disabled children via refreshed short?breaks provision. He concluded that these actions form part of a wider shift toward a more relational, preventative system, noting that while pressures remain significant, the progress to date is meaningful and the continued focus on recruitment, retention and prevention is central to building a strong, community?based fostering landscape where children can remain close to home. The Chair then invited questions, and the following key points were noted. Councillor Huw Murphy opened the discussion by expressing appreciation for the vital and challenging role foster carers play, noting the significant contribution they make to children, families and wider society. He also acknowledged the demanding work undertaken by social workers. Councillor Murphy sought clarification on several matters, beginning with Special Guardianship Orders (SGOs). He referred to earlier Cabinet discussions in 2023 and asked for updated data on how many SGOs were currently in place, how widely they were being used and whether the arrangements were proving successful. He also raised the issue of financial neutrality for families moving onto SGOs, as referenced in the report. Councillor Murphy further queried the balance between registrations and de-registrations over the past 12 months, noting the three fostering panels referenced in the report. He asked whether the service was experiencing a net gain or net loss of foster carers and highlighted that while financial incentives alone would not attract new carers, the recently agreed council tax discount was an important way of recognising and valuing existing foster carers. The Head of Children’s Services welcomed the acknowledgement of the contribution foster carers make and confirmed that the 4% figure referenced in the report reflected the Wales?wide position provided by Foster Wales. He reported that Pembrokeshire currently had 119 special guardianship households, with the number of children subject to SGOs increasing from 16 to 18 since 2023. He emphasised that decisions regarding SGOs were carefully assessed against the child’s best interests and were often consistent with the wishes of families. He highlighted the comparative benefits of SGOs, including reduced state intrusion and the preservation of children’s family connections, contrasting this with adoption where legal ties are severed. Addressing registrations and de-registrations, the Head of Children’s Services confirmed there had been 11 approvals in the current year, with eight since the last report to the Committee. He advised that deregistration data was more complex to interpret as kinship carers often deregister once court proceedings conclude and children return safely to their parents. He noted that mainstream de-registrations were largely attributable to retirement among a long?serving and experienced foster carer cohort. He added that further work would be undertaken to refine deregistration data to provide greater clarity in future reporting. Councillor Huw Murphy observed that, as previously highlighted, the fostering workforce is ageing, and he questioned what more could be done to encourage younger families to become foster carers. He emphasised the significant cost difference between fostering and residential care and expressed concern that insufficient investment in foster carer payments ultimately leads to higher financial and social costs when children must be placed out of county. He stressed that local placements support better outcomes through continuity in family life, education and friendships, and suggested that both central and local government should recognise the wider societal benefits of increasing financial support for foster carers. Councillor Claire George sought information on the conversion rate from initial fostering enquiries to formal registrations, querying why some prospective carers did not progress beyond the early stages. The Head of Children’s Services explained that following an initial enquiry, an Initial Visit is undertaken to outline expectations and the commitment involved, and that this naturally reduces numbers. He reported that while the national trend is approximately one in ten enquiries progressing to assessment, Pembrokeshire’s rate is closer to one in five. He attributed this to strengthened early engagement, including Initial Visits now being led by the recruitment and marketing officer, whose involvement had significantly improved conversion. Councillor George also asked about the demand for a Welsh?language fostering service, noting that online engagement appeared evenly split between Welsh and English pages. The Head of Children’s Services advised that Welsh?speaking assessors were available and undertook to return to the Committee with a more detailed breakdown of Welsh?language demand and provision. Councillor Huw Murphy reiterated concerns regarding the ageing profile of the fostering workforce, observing that recruitment challenges were particularly acute among Welsh?speaking households and other minority backgrounds, making it difficult to place children in linguistically or culturally appropriate settings. He noted that many prospective foster carers withdraw once they fully understand the demands of the role and asked whether the Authority continued to lose foster carers to the independent sector due to higher remuneration. The Head of Children’s Services acknowledged that competition from independent providers remained an issue, though recent increases to foster care allowances would, over the next two years, help to gauge whether more carers might be attracted back into the local authority service. Councillor Murphy welcomed measures such as the council tax discount, noting that while financial incentives alone do not retain carers, feeling valued and supported is critical. He also praised the success of West Lodge and noted the importance of expanding local residential options to maintain strong community connections and improve long?term outcomes. Councillor Alec Cormack echoed these remarks, highlighting the positive impact of the current recruitment campaign and the importance of sustaining this activity to maintain inquiry levels and strengthen the fostering pipeline. Councillor Huw Murphy stressed the importance of a collaborative approach between fostering services and social care, noting that all stakeholders ultimately share the goal of securing positive outcomes for children and, where relevant, older residents. He questioned the resilience of the fostering service, asking whether workforce capacity within the social work team was sufficient to manage assessment processes, particularly given national recruitment challenges and the difficulty of attracting practitioners to Pembrokeshire. The Head of Children’s Services responded that the Fostering team was highly skilled, experienced and one of the most stable within Children’s Services; however, he acknowledged that increasing assessment activity, alongside their responsibilities for connected persons and special guardianship assessments, would place additional pressure on the team. He confirmed that workforce planning discussions were underway to ensure capacity keeps pace with growing demand. The Cabinet Member for Young People, Community, Well-being and Future Generations welcomed the discussion and reiterated his ambition for the service, highlighting his intention to maintain direct engagement with foster carers to draw on their experience and goodwill. He emphasised the importance of maximising interest?to?approval conversion rates, promoting the positive aspects of fostering, and making full use of opportunities such as the council tax discretionary scheme to increase the number of in?house foster carers. He noted that positive case studies could play a greater role in recruitment and committed to taking this suggestion forward following the Committee’s discussion. Moved by Councillor Huw Murphy; Seconded by Councillor Billy Shaw. The votes, undertaken by way of a show of hands, were carried. RESOLVED That the current position and progress being made in relation to the provision of Foster Care across Pembrokeshire be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the Quarter 3 Budget Position and the 2025/26 Budget Saving progress within Social Care be noted.
The Committee received an update report from the Finance Manager on the current 2025/26 budget position (Quarter 3). The Finance Manager reported that the 2025/26 Quarter 3 position for Social Care showed a projected underspend of £0.287m, equating to 0.2%. He advised that Children’s Services were forecasting an underspend of £0.688m against a rolling budget of £41.853m (1.6%), while Adult Social Care was projecting an overspend of £0.550m against a rolling budget of £89.385m (0.6%). He referred Members to Appendix A of the report for a detailed breakdown of both service areas’ Quarter 3 positions and invited questions. He further reported that £6.134m of budget savings had been identified for 2025/26. The Quarter 3 review indicated projected savings of £4.542m rated Green, £1.388m rated Amber and £0.205m rated Red. He confirmed that Appendix B provided a detailed summary of these savings. The Chair then invited questions, and the following key points were noted. Councillor Claire George queried why the funding and income pressures within Supported Living were presenting as an in?year pressure rather than a projected one, asking what had changed during the year to affect the position. The Finance Manager explained that the pressure was driven by higher?than?anticipated demand, particularly within learning disability and mental health services, where increased numbers of clients had entered Supported Living arrangements. He advised that this had been partially offset by work within Adult Services to transition individuals from higher?cost residential placements into Supported Living, which is both more cost?effective and supports greater independence for working?age adults. He added that revised modelling had informed the projections for 2026-27, drawing on trend data from previous years to improve forecasting within the Medium-Term Financial Plan. Councillor Alec Cormack welcomed the improved financial position and sought clarification on the potential magnitude of costs associated with the patient flow Service Level Agreement referenced on page 84 of Appendix A, asking whether this posed a significant future risk within the Medium?Term Financial Plan. The Finance Manager advised that the matter was currently subject to legal review and that he did not yet have full details of the financial implications. He confirmed, however, that he would collate the relevant information and provide it to the Committee and the Chair once available. Councillor Huw Murphy noted the projected £2.159 million saving referenced on page 86 of the report and commented that, if realised, this would represent a significant financial benefit for the Directorate. He emphasised that such savings would not be released corporately but reinvested within Social Care to enhance services for those supported by the Authority. He acknowledged the uncertainty inherent in forecasting but highlighted the positive implications should the projection be achieved. Councillor Huw Murphy raised concerns regarding the availability of domiciliary care in rural areas, noting that individuals who are medically fit for discharge can face delays where private providers are unable to deliver care packages in more remote communities. The Head of Adult Services acknowledged these challenges and explained that investment in the in?house domiciliary care service had enabled the Authority to pick up packages in hard?to?reach areas, supported further by significant Welsh Government funding for rural provision and expanded rehabilitation services. She highlighted successful examples of individuals being supported at home from hospital or residential care because of this investment. The Director of Social Care and Housing added that, although domiciliary capacity pressures exist, only a very small proportion of people awaiting care are delayed in acute hospital beds for this reason, and that joint work with the Health Board remains focused on preventing hospital admissions and mitigating deconditioning. He noted that enhanced reablement capacity, delivered through both in?reach ward work and step?down provision such as Martello House, supports timely discharge, with 80-90% of individuals requiring no long?term care after reablement. The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care welcomed recognition of the importance of a mixed economy of provision, including the Authority’s in?house service acting as a provider of last resort. Councillor Murphy concluded by emphasising the value of facilities such as Martello House and telehealth in maintaining independence and expressed concern about previous local closures that had reduced capacity, noting the importance of developing Haverfordia as an additional step?up/step?down resource. Moved by Councillor Claire George; Seconded by Councillor Huw Murphy. The votes, undertaken by way of a show of hands, were carried. RESOLVED That the Quarter 3 Budget Position and the 2025/26 Budget Saving progress within Social Care be noted.
In closing the meeting, the Chair advised that the next meeting would be held in the Council Chamber at County Hall with simultaneous translation available. He informed Members that this would be his final meeting as Chair of the Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee, due to a likely change in his role from May, and that Councillor Huw Murphy would take over as Chair. He expressed his sincere thanks to officers, Members, Democratic Services staff. He reflected on the progress made within Social Care during his tenure and commended the dedication of the teams involved. Councillor Huw Murphy echoed these sentiments, paying tribute to the outgoing Chair’s effective leadership and the high standards he had set, emphasising the importance of scrutiny in the Council’s core statutory areas of education and social care.
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