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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
AGREED: i. That the proposed changes to the work programme attached at Appendix 1 be agreed ii. That the question relating to Planning Applications be put to the representative from BCUHB for their response prior to the July Committee
AGREED – i. That the Safeguarding & Well-being Scrutiny Committee thank the Officers and the Lead Member for this report, we note the work that has been undertaken ii. The Committee requested that information provided in the next report, particularly comparison data, could be in a clear format, covering a number of core indicators over set periods.
AGREED – i. That the Safeguarding, Communities & Well-being Scrutiny Committee thank the Officers and the Lead Member for the report ii. The Committee suggest the item be added to the agenda next month for further consideration of the general principles and to explore the setting up of a task and finish group.
Nominations were requested for the appointment of a Chair of the Scrutiny Committee for the ensuing year. Councillors Derek Wright and Marc Jones were both proposed and duly seconded and upon being put to the vote it was – AGREED – That Councillor Marc Jones be appointed Chair of the Safeguarding, Communities and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee for the ensuing year. (Councillor Marc Jones in the Chair)
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Malcolm King and Rondo Roberts
AGREED - That the Minutes held on 8 May, 2024 be signed as a correct record.
Members were reminded of their responsibility, under Paragraph 11 of the Members’ Code of Conduct, to declare any interests in relation to any of the business to be transacted at this meeting. The following declarations were made:- Item 7 – Childhood Poverty in Wrexham Councillor Marc Jones – Personal and non-Prejudicial – The Councillor was a member of the Cost of Living Crisis Working Group The Councillor remained in the meeting taking part in the discussion and voting thereon Item 7 – Childhood Poverty in Wrexham Councillor Claire Lovett – Personal – The Councillor was a member of the Cost of Living Crisis Working Group The Councillor remained in the meeting taking part in the discussion and voting thereon Item 7 – Childhood Poverty in Wrexham Councillor Jeremy Newton – Personal – The Councillor was a member of the Cost of Living Crisis Working Group The Councillor remained in the meeting taking part in the discussion and voting thereon
Decision as recorded
AGREED: i. That the proposed changes to the work programme attached at Appendix 1 be agreed ii. That the question relating to Planning Applications be put to the representative from BCUHB for their response prior to the July Committee
The Chief Officer for Governance and Customer submitted a report (COGC/46/24) asking Members to consider the draft work programme of the Safeguarding, Communities and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee attached at Appendix 1. The Scrutiny Facilitator presented the work programme and highlighted the following: · Child Poverty and Unpaid Carer Reports to be scheduled for June 2024 · Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) and Welsh Ambulance Service Trust (WAST) to be reported in July 2024 A member of the committee raised concerns relating to the increased demand on Health Care Services in Wrexham, that the BCUHB Representative would be asked in advance of the July SCWSC meeting to comment on the lack of comments and responses on Planning Applications for large housing developments. AGREED: i. That the proposed changes to the work programme attached at Appendix 1 be agreed ii. That the question relating to Planning Applications be put to the representative from BCUHB for their response prior to the July Committee
Decision as recorded
AGREED – i. That the Safeguarding & Well-being Scrutiny Committee thank the Officers and the Lead Member for this report, we note the work that has been undertaken ii. The Committee requested that information provided in the next report, particularly comparison data, could be in a clear format, covering a number of core indicators over set periods.
Councillor John Pritchard Lead Member for Adult Social Services introduced the report which was to provide an update on the adult unpaid carers’ provision and the young carers’ provision in Wrexham. North East Wales Carers Information service (NEWCIS) were awarded a contract to support unpaid carers in Wrexham in August 2018. The contract term was an initial 5 years and an exemption was sought and agreed to further extend the contract by 12 months giving a current contract end date of 31 July 2024, the tender exercise had not progressed as hoped and so a further period of working with the current provider would continue pending a further exercise. The Chief Officer Social Care spoke in relation to the report which detailed the support that was in place for Adult Carers and Children’s Carers, in doing so he expressed the importance of unpaid carers and the role that they play in sustaining people in their own homes, supporting the service and maintaining services. He also informed members of the following points: · Recognition of the invaluable contribution of the services to the wider community and the need to ensure services to individuals and families are provided. · Emphasis on the importance of support that was available to young carers and how important it was to support young people to be young people which can be challenging and difficult on occasions · Credu (WCD Young Carers) service which would remain in place for a number of years was essential to young carers, the service enabled young carers to be children · A robust consultation with unpaid carers took place during the year to help to shape services going forward The Chair acknowledged the challenges faced by the department and thanked officers for the work that had been done. A discussion ensued and the following points were made: · Acknowledgement of the importance of respite for carers, particularly young carers · Clarity was sought on what type of respite had been provided for young carers and what the uptake was for the respite · Assurances were given that there were a number of options for respite care available to young carers. These included: i. Groups for young carers, which are held weekly ii. Trips and days out iii. Work based and volunteer opportunities iv. Cross county peer to peer support for young carers who may have like-minded interests · Assurances were also given that the uptake of the services was very good although some young cares may not want to attend some of the events, although all were inclusive · Clarification sought on the publicity and promotion of events/support groups for young carers, whilst recognising that the roadshows raised awareness, what had been done to capture the young carers who may not have been aware of the support that was available. · Confirmation given that the aim of the unpaid carer roadshows was to reach as many people as possible in Wrexham promoting the services that NEWCIS and WCD offer to unpaid carers as well as highlighting the information, support and advice that is available. · During the visits to various venues across the county borough, information was given out to 147 different unpaid carers. The roadshows also resulted in 49 new registrations with our adult unpaid carer service, NEWCIS. · The unpaid carer development officer also undertook engagement and consultation with unpaid carers at the roadshow · Confirmation that there were plans to re-launch the young carers I.D cards. This should increase the engagement with young carers in areas such as schools and other areas that they may be accessing outside of school and assist with how to identify a young carer and what support could be put in place to support them. · The theme of the networking event which was scheduled to take place in June, 2024 was Young Carers. · Work and training had been undertaken with the frontline staff across the council, Community Agents, staff in Libraries and Community Resource Centres with a view to capturing Adult Cares who may require our services. AGREED – i. That the Safeguarding & Well-being Scrutiny Committee thank the Officers and the Lead Member for this report, we note the work that has been undertaken ii. The Committee requested that information provided in the next report, particularly comparison data, could be in a clear format, covering a number of core indicators over set periods.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – i. That the Safeguarding, Communities & Well-being Scrutiny Committee thank the Officers and the Lead Member for the report ii. The Committee suggest the item be added to the agenda next month for further consideration of the general principles and to explore the setting up of a task and finish group.
The report which had been produced in response to a Topic Request Form submitted to the Safeguarding, Communities and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee was introduced by the Lead Member for Children’s Social Services Councillor Rob Walsh with support from Councillor Derek Wright. In introducing the report the Lead Member thanked those members involved in bringing the report to the Committee through a topic request form, he also thanked the Interim Business Information Officer – Social Care for her key role in producing the information report. He acknowledged that there was further work to be done, particularly at a time of increased costs and reduced budgets/grants, making current and future provision unsustainable. Despite these factors the aim is to ensure the best deal for children & families, particularly for the most vulnerable children. Councillor Wright informed committee members that the item had arisen from a Topic Request Form instigated by a number of Councillors including Councillor Malcolm King. Whilst it was recognised that a number of groups had been formed to look at poverty in its broadest sense, it was felt that there was a place for poverty to be looked at from a child’s perspective, particularly in a social care context. The report gave background information regarding the level of Childhood Poverty in the UK and subsequently, the likely levels and impact of Childhood Poverty in Wrexham. · information regarding the negative consequences on children of being brought up in poverty and the expense of key interventions · context as to the link that exists between children in care and poverty and the future departmental plans to target the roughly 8,000 children living below the poverty line in Wrexham, who for example may have less access to basic hygiene and have lower educational attainment levels. · Indication of some of the ongoing work in Wrexham to support children and families who are affected by Childhood Poverty and how we support them. · Outline of further work planned in Wrexham to support families and children worst affected by poverty. The Chief Officer Social Care informed committee members that a number of departments throughout the authority work together with the aim of supporting children and families living in poverty. A number of officers were introduced to committee members, the Interim Business Information Officer – Social Care, the Regeneration and Business Investment Lead, Head of Service for Prevention and Support (Education), and two Housing Officers all of whom contribute to the aim of tackling childhood poverty in Wrexham. A discussion ensued and the following points were made: · Clarification sought on the breakdown by entitlement for free school meals. How accurate was the information and how did we capture the data? · Recognition that the introduction of free school meals in primary schools had made the collection of data easier and that the data was from secondary schools was supplied by the schools. · Concerns that the minimum wage is lower for the under 20‘s and that Universal Credit is lower for the under 25’s, this could create a difficult cycle of poverty which could be difficult to get out of. · A member requested that elected members were informed and updated on information in their ward relating to deprivation and poverty. · Assurances were given that officers would, where privacy rights permitted, update members with the information as requested. · Clarification was given by the Chief Officer that, whilst there may be a link, those families/individuals who were linked to social care are not by definition poor or in poverty. The work of the department involves working with people across the whole social spectrum. · Clarity was sought on the Looked after Children figures, particularly the placement types of those children who had not been placed in residential care. · Children not placed in residential care may have: v Placement with parents - would involve specific regulations v Foster care - Connected carers - usually a relative or close friend of the family that foster v Placed for adoption · Reference was made to the Tackling Poverty Strategy report (COEP/7/23) that went to the Employment Business and Investment Scrutiny Committee in November, 2023. The strategy is due to be updated and the authority is in possession of recommendations from Audit wales, to which a response is required. The response will require the whole authority coming together to arrive at the interventions that will make a difference. · Recognition and thanks to Cllr Derek Wright for his commitment and hard work during the period that he was Chair of the Committee. · Suggestion was made of setting up a task & finish group to consider this topic in more detail. AGREED – i. That the Safeguarding, Communities & Well-being Scrutiny Committee thank the Officers and the Lead Member for the report ii. The Committee suggest the item be added to the agenda next month for further consideration of the general principles and to explore the setting up of a task and finish group.
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