Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of personal interest.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Executive Board held on the 16^th March, 2020 be signed as a correct record subject to the letter ‘o’ in resolution 9.3 [Homes as Power Stations] being replaced with the word ‘and’.

The Chair advised that no public questions had been received.

The Chair advised that no questions on notice had been submitted by members.

The Leader, in introducing this item and on behalf of the Executive Board, paid tribute to all staff for the work they had undertaken, often beyond the call of duty, to ensure the Authority’s services had, in the main, been able to function as efficiently and as normally as was possible under the current circumstances.

The Executive Board considered a report detailing urgent decisions taken by Officers to date during the current coronavirus pandemic and following the suspension of most democratic meetings as a precaution. Under the Scheme of Delegation to Officers in the Authority’s Constitution “determination of any urgent matter in the purview of the Council, the Executive Board or any Committee is vested in the Chief Executive and all Directors where it is impractical to convene a meeting of those bodies to consider the matters in hand.” Meetings had been suspended due to factors such as lockdown, social distancing requirements and the number of members self-isolating.

The Board was advised that since the report had been written arrangements were now in hand to revert to the formal democratic decision-making processes and meetings would be recommenced albeit at least partially on a remote attendance basis.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED That the urgent decisions taken by officers be noted.

The Executive Board considered a report which reflected the position of key Social Services in Carmarthenshire during the National Emergency caused by Covid 19 and action taken. The report did not include all areas of activity as these would be covered in the Director of Social Services’ annual report later in the year or by any further notes of advice deemed necessary to report.

It was considered that overall the response by the council had been effective in maintaining social care services in extraordinarily difficult circumstances. Significant support financially and direct intervention and support by the Leader of the council, the Executive Board Member for Social Care and Health and the Chief Executive had contributed to the maintenance of most core provision to a good standard despite facing unprecedented challenges. The impact of the virus on residents in care homes remained a serious and ongoing concern in Carmarthenshire as it was across much of Wales. It was emphasised that throughout this emergency the thoughts of all were with those residents, care staff and families who had been impacted on so tragically by this virus.

The Executive Board Member for Social Care and Health paid tribute to the work being undertaken by staff in the social care and health sector under the present circumstances.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED to note the position detailed in the report and confirm the actions taken.

The Chair advised that there were no items of urgent business.