Loading
The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED to: 1. Undertake pre scrutiny on the report (attached at Appendix A), thus providing Scrutiny with an opportunity to contribute to this matter; and 2. Authorise The Director of Democratic Services and Communications to feedback to Cabinet the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
RESOLVED to continue the meeting in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 8, to allow consideration of the remaining agenda items and continuation of Committee business.
RESOLVED: 1. Members undertake pre scrutiny on the report (attached at Appendix A), thus providing Scrutiny with an opportunity to contribute to this matter; and 2. To authorise the Director of Democratic Services and Communications to provide feedback to Cabinet on behalf of the Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee
The Chair welcomed Members, Non Committee Members and Officers to the meeting and thanked them for attending.
In accordance with the Council’s regulations, Councillor B Stephens declared a personal interest as follows: “I am the Chairman of the National Association of pensioners”
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to: 1. Undertake pre scrutiny on the report (attached at Appendix A), thus providing Scrutiny with an opportunity to contribute to this matter; and 2. Authorise The Director of Democratic Services and Communications to feedback to Cabinet the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
The Director of Democratic Services and Communications presented the report to the Committee and outlined that the purpose of the report, which was to pre scrutinise residential care homes for older people prior the Cabinet meeting on the 22nd January 2025. Members were reminded of the previous consideration on the item by the Committee. The Director of Adult Services and the Director of Social Services then provided further detail on the report to Members, which was attached as an Appendix to the report. Members were advised of the public consultation undertaken in respect of the residential care proposals, in respect of the future provision of accommodation for older people at Ferndale House and Caeglas care homes. Members were reminded of the rationale for the proposals, the details of the consultation and the risks associated with decommissioning. Following the report presentation, the Chair then provided the opportunity for public speakers and other non Committee Members to address the Committee and their views and objections to the proposals were presented for Members consideration. The Chair advised that the Alzheimer’s Society had submitted 2 questions in relation to the proposals and it was advised that the response to these questions would be shared with all Committee Members. The Directors of Social Services and Adult Services responded to the comments highlighted by the public speakers, and also spoke highly of the dedicated work force within the area. The Director of Social Services spoke positively of the quality of care in the private sector and referenced the monitoring arrangements in relation to these standards. In relation to the reference to ‘Bed Blocking’ it was also explained that this related more to nursing provision rather than residential care provision. The Chair opened up comments to Committee Members, who scrutinised the report before them in detail. The Chair referred to the report and questioned the current position with Linc Cymru in respect of the new alternative accommodation in the Rhondda Fach, also highlighted paragraph 6.10.4 of the February 2023 Cabinet report in respect of the commitment provided to the alternative accommodation facility. Reference was made to capacity within care homes in both the private and public sector and the Chair questioned whether enough had been done secure more than 95% capacity rate within Care homes. The chair also queried aspects of the report in relation to Staffing, respite care and Transport, also referencing the market assessment undertaken in 2020 that the Rhondda Fach area did not have any alternative provision in a 5 mile radius unlike other areas of the County Borough, The Director of Social Services explained that there were 3 independent care homes within a 5 mile radius of Ferndale, but no in-house Council homes and that in terms of the Taff Ely area, there is no in-house Council care homes and within the 5 mile radius of Caeglasbut independent provision available to meet. It was also pointed out that the rationale does rest in the ability of the market to meet demands and that there was an oversupply of beds. Officers provided context with the alternative accommodation and the delay with Linc Cymru. Members acknowledged the case for change and the need for the Council to review its adult social care provision to ensure that it continues to meet the changing needs of the County Borough and delivers a care model that is fit for purpose. Members noted that the needs of older residents were changing. In the context of both homes, Members commented upon the financial circumstances surrounding the proposals, including reference to redundancy costs and clarity was sought in respect of the savings and rational for proposing Ferndale House & Cae Glas. A Member commented that it would be sensible to keep Ferndale house open until the new facility is available to allow for a more seamless transition for residents and staff. Many other Members voiced their agreement to this proposal. Another Member queried that if the private sector is of a good standard and the public sector is of a good standard for everybody, why are we relying on the public sector. The Director of Adult Services noted that we can have both and both are good enough to provide care for residents in RCT. There would not be capacity to meet demand without the help of the private sector and that the service area will continue to look at options based on demand and capacity. A member queried if the Committee could have the costs of opening the additional floor in Ferndale to keep residents in and also in respect of bed blocking, the Member queried if there had been discussions with the Health Board to move these patients to Ferndale House to keep it open for a short time. The Director of Adult Services noted that the issue around costs and capacity and opening the extra floor and extra beds would actually cost the Authority more. In terms of delays in hospital transfer, there is a need to follow processes and to see if every individual home can meet peoples needs alongside consideration to the persons choice . A Member commented that things can be improved in Caeglas and that there is a desperate need for beds in the Taf area. The Member commented that as an Authority we should be working with the Welsh Government to make a better model locally and that no resident should be refused entry to these care homes. Another Member further commented that an RCT wide approach should be taken and that each geographical area will have different needs. The Director of Adult Services noted that the costing in respect of redundancy is not available yet. The Director of Social Services noted that there was a need to consider things at an RCT wide level rather than a local level in order to determine how we meet the demands of the population. A majority of committee members noted that the severity of the budget pressures upon the local authority had reduced, in the context of the provisional Local Government Settlement. In respect of both homes, a Member noted disagreement with the closures and recommended further investment and improvement of them. Following questions from Members on the closure of Caeglas and that it is a dementia friendly home, the Director noted that if Cabinet were to agree to the proposals tomorrow then the service would sit down with each individual family and go through the options with them. The Director of Adult Services also referred to the maps within the report pack and referenced that this providedetail on the categories of care that is provided in each care home. Members were reassured that if the proposals were to be agreed by Cabinet the Council would follow the RCT “Care Home Closure” Protocol, which is based on good practice and developed in partnership with the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Regional Safeguarding Board to help mitigate the risks to vulnerable residents caused by a transfer to another care home. Members were advised that the choice, comfort and safety of residents would be a priority for the Council and the home closure protocol would be followed by staff to ensure the best interests of residents are upheld if the proposals proceeded. A Member acknowledged the quality, compassion, dedication, loyalty and commitment from the staff at both care homes listed within the proposals and emphasised the importance keeping this quality of care. A Member raised concerns that the provision of ‘respite care’ would not be as accessible for service users if the proposals to decommission the care homes proceeded, commenting that respite provision wasn’t as accessible within the private sector. The Director confirmed that respite care was not as well supported in the private sector and noted the outcome of the respite review had identified inconsistencies in access as set out in the report, and therefore there is also a commitment made to undertake more detailed engagement with unpaid carers to ensure the respite services available reflect the differing needs and requirements of our population. To be completed during 2025/2026. Members sought reassurance of the private sector care provision in comparison to inhouse care provision. The Director confirmed the quality of care in all care settings, commenting on the positive feedback received across the County Borough. Members raised concerns in respect of any transport implications and geographical spread in relation to the provision of care homes if the proposals were taken forward, giving consideration to any developments within the Local Development Plan and potential future demands of provision. A Member queried whether the Council had taken into account the LDP in respect of the potential closure of Caeglas and Members was reassured that this has been considered. Members were reassured that if the proposals were to be agreed by Cabinet the Council would follow the RCT “Care Home Closure” Protocol, which is based on good practice and developed in partnership with the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Regional Safeguarding Board to help mitigate any risks to vulnerable residents. Members were advised that the choice, comfort and safety of residents would be a priority for the Council and home closure protocols would be followed by staff to ensure the best interests of residents if the proposals proceeded. In respect to Caeglas, Members noted from the report that lower levels of demand for general residential care are expected to continue with higher demand for other care need categories, such as dementia. A number of Members advocated for the continuation of Cae Glas home due to the specialist dementia provision within the home and members sought clarity on the provision of dementia care should the proposal to decommission the home be agreed by Cabinet. A Member requested that further support and guidance is sought from the Alzheimer’s Society in relation to the potential impact the proposal could have on service users. A Member also referred to a previous closure of a care home in her ward and praised officers for the care and support given to residents and confirmed that when residents did make the transition to a new home that they were indeed settled and happy there. The Chair thanked all Members for their comments. The Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee requested that thanks of the committee be extended to Cabinet and the Senior Leadership Team for enabling pre-scrutiny. The Director of Democratic Services & Communications reminded Members that comments captured in today’s Committee meeting would be passed along to Cabinet ahead of their meeting tomorrow. Following discussion, Members RESOLVED to: 1. Undertake pre scrutiny on the report (attached at Appendix A), thus providing Scrutiny with an opportunity to contribute to this matter; and 2. Authorise The Director of Democratic Services and Communications to feedback to Cabinet the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to continue the meeting in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 8, to allow consideration of the remaining agenda items and continuation of Committee business.
It was RESOLVED to continue the meeting in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 8, to allow consideration of the remaining agenda items and continuation of Committee business.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: 1. Members undertake pre scrutiny on the report (attached at Appendix A), thus providing Scrutiny with an opportunity to contribute to this matter; and 2. To authorise the Director of Democratic Services and Communications to provide feedback to Cabinet on behalf of the Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee
The Director of Democratic Services and Communications presented his report to Members. The purpose of the report was for Members to pre scrutinise the overview of the 2024 Eisteddfod in RCT, particularly in relation to its overall success, community engagement, fundraising and infrastructure. Discussions ensued and Members welcomed the positive report and congratulated all involved in the intense planning and delivery of the National Eisteddfod, which all Members agreed was a resounding success, to which all should be proud. Members commented on the inclusivity of the event for all and recommended a positive change of terminology to move away from use of the term ‘non welsh speaker’ in favour of recognising that the majority have some s ability to understand, use and converse in the language and this recognition will encourage and promote the use of the Welsh language by all regardless of capabilities. A number of Members queried whether all opportunities had been exhausted with promoting the success of the event through the Council’s social media platforms and further queried how the Council could continue to display the art work that was created for the Eisteddfod, with particular reference to the YEPs mural project. One Member noted the Community Services Scrutiny Committee report of December 2024, in respect of the ‘Children’s Services Residential Transformation Strategy’ which stated that ‘the Eisteddfod activity bump led to 26 additional new (Foster Care) enquiries’. Members commented on this positive increase and the Member queried whether there were any other service areas that had benefitted from the Eisteddfod. Members took the opportunity to congratulate the RCT Highways, Traffic, Transportation and the Communications Team for their huge efforts in managing the Park and Ride provision to deal with thousands of visitors to the area, which had set a high standard of delivery for other Eisteddfod hosts to follow. A Member noted the increased footfall in Pontypridd during the Eisteddfod itself, and queried whether there was any evidence to show that visitors and local residents alike were returning to Pontypridd since the Eisteddfod. Members referenced the positive community volunteer take-up during the event and queried Officers to the continued contact, if any, with those that registered to volunteer at the Eisteddfod especially as 264 (52%) were RCT residents. Members recommended that following the success of the event in Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, further events are looked to be hosted in the Park, as it has proven itself to be a successful location in the centre of the County Borough. The Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee requested that thanks of the committee be extended to Cabinet and the Senior Leadership Team for enabling pre-scrutiny. Following discussions, Members RESOLVED: 1. Members undertake pre scrutiny on the report (attached at Appendix A), thus providing Scrutiny with an opportunity to contribute to this matter; and 2. To authorise the Director of Democratic Services and Communications to provide feedback to Cabinet on behalf of the Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee
There was no urgent business.
The Chair thanked Members, Officers and non committee Members for their attendance today and for their active participation.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.
Lists the council's current councillors only. Co-opted members, officers and former councillors aren't shown.