Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors F. Akhtar, S. Curry, A. Davies, D. Harries, J.P. Jenkins, G. Jones, T.J. Jones, D. Nicholas and A.D.T. Speake.

Sincere thanks were extended to staff in the Highways Department for their hard work in ensuring that the roads in the county were clear during the period of extreme weather last week.  Thanks were also extended to staff in the Environment Department for clearing the pavements on Friday to make sure that they were safe for people to walk.

Congratulations were extended to a number of young residents from the Kidwelly and Mynyddygarreg area who are excelling in their respective sports.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of Council held on the 14^th February 2018 be signed as a correct record.

[NOTE:  Councillors H. Davies, J. Gilasbey, A. James, A.C. Jones, K. Madge, E. Morgan and B.A.L. Roberts had earlier declared an interest in this item.]

The Chair welcomed to the meeting the following representatives from the Hywel Dda University Health Board who had been invited to give a presentation to Council on Transforming Clinical Services:-

Ms Bernardine Rees, Chair

Mr Steve Moore, Chief Executive

Dr. Phil Kloer, Executive Medical Director and Director of Clinical Strategy

Ms Sarah Jennings, Director of Partnerships and Corporate Services

Ms Libby Ryan-Davies, Transformation Director

Dr Meinir Jones, Clinical Director Transformation, Clinical Lead MIU at Prince

   Philip Hospital

Dr Eiry Edmunds, Consultant Cardiologist at Glangwili Hospital

Dr Goshal, Consultant Respiratory Physician & Hospital Director at Prince

   Philip Hospital

Mr Jeremy Williams, Consultant in Emergency Medicine and Clinical Director

   Unscheduled Care

Ms Lisa Davies, Principal Project Manager

Council was advised that there are many long-term strategic issues that need addressing.  Some of the key drivers for change include the following:-

-  inequalities and variation in care;

-  demography-driven demand;

-  recruitment and retention of staff;

-  performance pressures e.g. waiting times;

-  some outdate buildings and facilities/I.T./informatics/infrastructure;

-  remoteness and rurality – access to services.

The importance of a widespread, all-inclusive consultation process was acknowledged and to this end the Consultation Institute, who are world leaders in engagement and consultation, have been appointed to assist/advise on the consultation process.  A Big Conversation with staff, patients and service users, carers, partners and the public was held last summer.  This was the Discover Phase (listening and engagement) of the Transforming Clinical Services Programme.

The Programme is now firmly established following the sign-off of the Phase 1 Case For Change Output Report at the Public Health Board Meeting held on 21^st November, 2017.  The Programme has now entered the next stage, Phase 2 – Design and a public consultation on this stage will run for a 12 week period from 19^th April, 2018 to 12^th July, 2018.

The following are the key principles of the proposed new Health & Care Model:-

·       Encompasses the whole system of health and care, and beyond;

·       Population health approach that aims to meet local care needs and to support people to take control of their own health;

·       Underpinned by risk assessment of the entire population to ensure proactive interventions which maintain wellness, avoid illness, or avoid deterioration;

·       The core principle of the model is to advise, support and treat people in their own home or a community setting wherever possible;

·       Hospital admission only takes place when absolutely medically necessary;

·       Central to the new care model are the Community Networks supported by Community Hubs, where a number of integrated health and care services (including the 3^rd sector) can be provided from one location;

·       These hubs will also be the best settings for planning per-operative and follow-up care, as well as providing planned specialist services to people living with long term conditions;

·       Community Hubs won’t sit in isolation but will enhance and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

At 12.00 p.m. the meeting stood adjourned for a 5 minute break.

The meeting reconvened at 12.05 p.m.

The Chair advised that no public questions had been received.

“In the Plaid – independent budget for 2018/19 you announced an above inflation increase of 10p per meal for school dinners.

After I questioned the wisdom of this decision and the effects it would have on hard working Carmarthenshire families the executive board member for education stood up and made a u turn on what you said and I quote “We decided this year that there wasn’t to be an increase in school meals, but in discussions I’ve had with the director and officers, it was passed last year that there should have been a 10p increase. Well can I tell you that I am now striving with the officers so that we can maintain school meals at £2.50. I don’t think we will see an increase in school meals this year. That’s what we are working hard to achieve.”

Can you confirm to us and the residents of Carmarthenshire what price parents will have to pay in 2018/19 for their child’s meal or will you do a u turn on your u turn.

“In the Plaid-Independent budget for 2018/19 you announced an above inflation increase of 10p per meal for school dinners.  After I questioned the wisdom of this decision and the effects it would have on hard working Carmarthenshire families the executive board member for education stood up and made a u turn on what you said and I quote “We decided this year that there wasn’t to be an increase in school meals, but in discussions I’ve had with the director and officers, it was passed last year that there should have been a 10p increase.  Well can I tell you that I am now striving with the officers so that we can maintain school meals at £2.50.  I don’t think we will see an increase in school meals this year.  That’s what we are working hard to achieve.”  Can you confirm to us and the residents of Carmarthenshire what price parents will have to pay in 2018/19 for their child’s meal or will you do a u turn on your u turn?”

Response by Councillor David Jenkins, Executive Board Member for Resources:-

“In your question you state “In the Plaid–Independent budget for 2018/19 you announced an above inflation increase of 10p per meal for school dinners” and you questioned the wisdom of this decision. I would like to point out that in the first instance the increase you refer to was included as part of the budget setting process in 2016 when the budget for 2017/18 was being considered and set. In your speech you put great store in the fact that this was an above inflation increase of 10p per meal and mentioned the effects it would have on hard working Carmarthenshire families, I would ask you are these the same hard working Carmarthenshire families that lived in Carmarthenshire in 2015 when in March of that year the then Labour led Local Authority in setting the budget for 2015/16 and 2016/17 increased the price of the school meals by an inflation busting 10p per meal. It is also worth pointing out that in your response during the budget debate you proposed increasing Council Tax to 4.95% thereby introducing a further £400K burden on to the hard working Carmarthenshire families.  Back in March 2015 Councillor Jeff Edmunds was the Executive Board Portfolio Holder for Resources with responsibility for setting the budget before he became, in May of that year, the Leader of the Labour Group, who were then subsequently consigned on to the opposition benches. It would seem to me that members opposite are suffering with short term memory loss, don’t speak to each other or have developed convenient memories in respect of bygone events.  It was during the 2015 budget setting process that Plaid revealed that a sum of £20 million was floating around surplus to requirement within the Earmarked Capital Fund and that the then Labour led administration were seemingly unaware of its existence and had no ideas as to what use that money should be put.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.1

During the County Council meeting on 14^th February 2018 the Director of Community Services answered a number of questions on your behalf but was unable to say how much the council has so far paid to consultants for the project to set up Llesiant Delta Wellbeing Ltd. Could you now provide this information? The Director of Community Services informed the meeting that TUPE will only protect staff terms and conditions for the day of transfer. As the new company will be wholly owned by the council why can’t we ensure that any staff transferred will have their terms protected for the life of the company?

“During the County Council meeting on 14^th February, 2018 the Director of Community Services answered a number of questions on your behalf but was unable to say how much the council has so far paid to consultants for the project to set up Llesiant Delta Wellbeing Ltd.  Could you now provide this information?  The Director of Community Services informed the meeting that TUPE will only protect staff terms and conditions for the day of transfer.  As the new company will be wholly owned by the council why can’t we ensure that any staff transferred will have their terms protected for the life of the company?”

Response by Councillor Jane Tremlett, Executive Board Member for Social Care and Health:-

“The sum is £28,035 and for clarification what you state in your question is not what the Director of Communities said.  It is of great concern to me that your raising this issue again will cause unnecessary concern for staff.  I would remind members that these are real people whose anxieties are being raised for perceived political gain.  So, to repeat, I made it crystal clear, as did the Director, that this administration will continue as it always has done, to protect the staff’s terms and conditions after transfer and as the Council wholly owns the company and is the sole shareholder only the Council could ever change this position.  I hope this does answer your concerns.  I was heartened that the majority of councillors on all sides understand this and voted at the last Council meeting to protect this excellent service in changing times.  The alternative would see a valued Carmarthenshire service decline which none of us would wish to see.”

Councillor Thomas asked the following supplementary question:-

I disagree, my quote that TUPE is only relevant for the first day of transfer was stated by the Director.  I am pleased that you are giving this commitment.  As the business case makes clear the success of Careline has been delivered by staff who have served us well over the years and they have not sought to change their employer but are being transferred so that the County Council   through the new company can sell its services to potentially new customers.  So I hope that we are now saying that for the life of the company the staff will retain the same rights as though they hadn’t been transferred.”

Response by Councillor Jane Tremlett, Executive Board Member for Social Care & Health:-

“The webcam does support what I have said as far as what the Direcotr said at the last Council meeting.  As I just said, we do protect the terms and conditions of all staff, in particular in relation to TUPE.”

“That Carmarthenshire County Council:

·        Recognises the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign;

·        Acknowledges that may Carmarthenshire women, born in the 1950’s, now face remarkable challenges in making ends meet;

·        Appreciates that the WASPI women don’t want the state pension age lowered, but instead want a fair transitional state pension arrangements for all women affected by the state pension laws;

·        Resolves to support the WASPI campaign and make representations on behalf of Carmarthenshire women to the UK Government.

[NOTE:  Councillors S.M. Allen, A.C. Jones and M.J.A. Lewis and Ms L. Rees Jones, Head of Administration & Law, had earlier declared an interest in this item and left the Chamber prior to the consideration thereof.]

Council considered the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Carl Harris:-

“That Carmarthenshire County Council:

·       Recognises the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign;

·       Acknowledges that many Carmarthenshire women, born in the 1950’s, now face remarkable challenges in making ends meet;

·       Appreciates that the WASPI women don’t want the state pension age lowered, but instead want fair transitional state pension arrangements for all women affected by the state pension laws;

·       Resolves to support the WASPI campaign and make representations on behalf of Carmarthenshire women to the UK Government.

The Motion was duly seconded.

The proposer and seconder of the Motion were afforded the opportunity of speaking in support thereof and proceeded to outline the reasons for its submission, as set out in the Motion.

A number of statements were made both in support of the Motion.

Following a vote, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the Notice of Motion be supported.

suspenConsideration was given to the Director of Corporate Services’ report setting out the financial details relevant to the setting of the Council Tax for 2018/19, together with the Council Tax amounts in respect of the different Council Tax Valuation Bands, as applicable to each of the individual Community and Town Council areas.

It was noted that the recommendations contained within the report were based on the final settlement details received from the Welsh Government and the precepts notified to the County Council by the Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Commissioner and the Town and Community Councils.

RESOLVED that in order for the Council to comply with legislative requirements, the report and recommendations of the Director of Corporate Services on the setting of the Council Tax for the financial year 2018/19 be adopted.

At 1.00 p.m. the Committee’s attention was drawn to Standing Order 9 ‘Duration of Meeting’ and the fact that the meeting had been underway for 3 hours. It was therefore

RESOLVED to suspend Standing Orders to allow the remaining items on the agenda to be considered.

[NOTE:

1.       Councillors L. Bowen, C.A. Campbell, D.M. Cundy, C.A. Davies, J.A.           Davies, T.A.J. Davies, E. Dole, J.S. Edmunds, P.M. Edwards, D.C.           Evans, L.D. Evans, T. Higgins, R. James, B.W. Jones, D. Jones, K.           Lloyd, K. Madge, S. Matthews and A. Vaughan Owen had earlier           declared an interest in this item.

2.       All officers in attendance at the meeting, declared a personal interest in           this item and left the meeting prior to the consideration and           determination thereof, with the exception of the Assistant Chief           Executive (People Management & Performance) who remained in the           meeting to respond to any questions arising on the report, but left prior           to the vote being taken, the Principal Democratic Services Officer, who           remained in the meeting to take notes, and the Webcasting Officer]

Council was reminded that under the provisions of the Localism Act 2011 all Local Authorities are required to prepare a pay policy statement for the financial year 2018/19 and each subsequent financial year. 

The pay policy statement for a financial year requires the approval of full Council and cannot be delegated to the Authority’s Executive.  The policy must set out the Authority’s policies for the financial year relating to the remuneration of its Chief Officers, its lowest paid employees and the relationship between the remuneration of its Chief Officers and its employees who were not Chief Officers.

The politically balanced Pay Policy Advisory Panel is mandated to provide input into the formulation of the Pay Policy Statement and any recommendations emanating from that Panel have been incorporated into the final document for approval by County Council.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the Pay Policy Statement 2018/19 be approved in compliance with Section 38(1) of the Localism Act 2011.

Council was informed that the Executive Board, at its meeting held on the 26^th February, 2018, considered a report relating to Council Tax Discounts for Care Leavers (minute 11 refers) and had made a recommendation for consideration by Council.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the following recommendation of the Executive Board be adopted:-

“that it adopt a policy for waiving the Council Tax Liability of Care Leavers aged from 18 up to 25 years of age.