Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor A. Davies, A. McPherson, L. Roberts, E. Schiavone and E.G. Thomas.

There were no declarations of prohibited party whips.

The Chair advised that no public questions had been received.

The Chair welcomed to the meeting Ms Alison Harris, the Chief Executive Officer of Carers Trust, Crossroads Sir Gar who had been invited to attend the meeting for the consideration of this item.

The Committee received a report and presentation providing an overview of the activities and initiatives implemented to support the 48,000 unpaid carers in the region and the 24,000 unpaid carers in Carmarthenshire. The report covered a period of two years, since the previous report was presented to Committee in June 2016, and provided details of development both regional and country-wide and how we are taking the agenda forward.

Regional developments included the work of the West Wales Regional Carers Group and how it has progressed the work of the Carers Measure since it was repealed and subsumed within the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014.  Details were also provided of the West Wales Carers Delivery Plan 2018/19 and the evaluation report on the Carers Rights Day held on 24^th November, 2017.

The report demonstrated the high levels of recognition and support for Carers across the West Wales region and, in particular, the county of Carmarthenshire.  Compliance with legislation and commitment of resources form the foundation of support for Carers and has been recognised by the Care Inspectorate Wales.  Collaboration with health colleagues, neighbouring Local Authority colleagues and the third sector is prominent and highlights the positive approach to joint working around Carers that has developed in the region to align with the SSWBA.

Direct support for Carers can be illustrated by the amount of replacement care we provide that provides carers with a rest from caring or an opportunity to do other things that are important to them.  One indicator reflecting this is that Crossroads Carers Trust Sir Gar, a third sector provider, is the biggest branch in terms of turnover and employees, of the organisation in Wales.  Carmarthenshire is creative in the way that we address challenges with the Investors in Carers scheme and the Caring Boss Awards both recognised as good practice by the Welsh Government and Carers Wales will be emulated.

The Authority has been responsive to what it has been told by Carers, evidenced by the hugely successful outreach service commissioned after consultation with Carers for the Carers Measure, and continues to invest in a Carers Forum that offers carers space to express their issues and desires in a comfortable environment that provides an information conduit to and for service planners.  The Authority’s work in the future will build on these positives through a model of co-operation and co-production with Carers as we set about meeting the Welsh Government’s three priorities for Carers.

The following questions/observations were raised on the report:-

·       Concern was expressed that many unpaid carers are unaware of their right to claim PIP or DLA payments and officers were asked how this income avenue could be promoted.  The Committee was advised that Crossroads took over responsibility for the Catchup Welfare Advice Service on 1^st April, 2018 and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

[NOTE:  Councillor G. Thomas had earlier declared an interest in this item.]

The Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 reforms and integrates social services law and emphasises the improvement of wellbeing outcomes for people who need care and support, including carers.  It introduces a common set of processes to ensure that people receive the right support at the right time, strengthens collaboration and the integration of services and provides for an increased focus on prevention and early intervention.  The Act requires Local Authorities to have robust arrangements in place which encourage and promote genuine involvement with people, which shifts the focus of service delivery onto individual outcomes so that services are designed and led by those who need care and support and carers who need care and support.

The Act has fundamentally changed the way in which care and support services are delivered in Wales and is based on a number of principles:-

·       Voice and control – putting the individual and their needs at the centre of their care and giving them a voice and control over reaching the outcomes that help them achieve wellbeing;

·       Prevention and early intervention – increasing preventative service with the community to reduce the need for ongoing managed care;

·       Wellbeing – supporting people to achieve their own wellbeing and measuring the success of care and support;

·       Co-production – encouraging individuals to become more involved in the design and delivery of services.

The draft Learning Disability Strategy for Carmarthenshire embraces the principles of the Act and incorporate previous engagement undertaken with service users, carers/parents and others.  The draft strategy will be subject to formal consultation.

A Regional Learning Disabilities Programme Board has been established to address the issues identified within the Population Assessment, meet the national requirements outlined above and lead the transformation of learning disabilities service across health and social care.  The work of the Board is based on a shared vision to develop an integrated model of care for people with learning disabilities, their families and their carers right across the region.  It draws upon models being implemented through local Learning Disabilities strategies in each of the county areas.

The Carmarthenshire Strategy will ensure that, within the national and regional context, the local voice of people who use and need services is captured and the landscape of local services is developed to reflect this.

The following questions/observations were raised on the report:-

·       Reference was made to the point in the report that due to the rural nature of Carmarthenshire, transport remains a challenge and officers were asked if the Country Cars and Wales Ambulance Car services are used.  The Committee was advised that there are a number of transport initiatives across the region.  We need to focus our statutory obligations on those with the greatest need.  Support is offered with access to hospitals, however, the ambulance car service is not used often and officers agreed to feed the comments into the strategy;

·       Reference was made to independent living and officers were asked when  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Members considered sections of the draft new Corporate Strategy 2018-23 relevant to the remit of the Social Care & Health Scrutiny Committee.

The draft new Corporate Strategy will replace the current one published in 2015 and will consolidate the following plans into one document:-

-  the 2015-20 Corporate Strategy;

-  the Improvement Objectives, as required by the Local Government Measure

   2009;

-  The Wellbeing Objectives as required by the Wellbeing of Future

   Generations (Wales) Act 2015;

-  Carmarthenshire County Council’s Executive Board key projects and

   Programmes for the next 5 years, as set out in “Moving Forward in

   Carmarthenshire: the next 5 years”.

It was noted that our Wellbeing Objectives do not have to change every year, or be deliverable within one year and that it is perfectly legitimate to set objectives which span more than one year.

The following questions/observations were raised on the report:-

• With reference to Objective 2, it was pointed out that it would be useful to have the figures alongside the percentages under the ‘Why this should concern us’ section and the source of the figures. Officers confirmed that this would be addressed;

·       Concern was expressed over the fact that the meals on wheels service provided by the RVS will come to an end in October and the repercussions for those who depend on the service.  The Interim Head of Integrated Services informed the Committee that every person who receives meals on wheels has been contacted in order to assess their individual requirements.  He added that officers are looking at different options e.g. luncheon clubs, community hubs etc.

RESOLVED

7.1     To recommend to the Executive Board that the draft new           Corporate Strategy 2018-23 be endorsed;

7.2     That the Committee receive a report providing an update on the           situation regarding the provision of meals on wheels in the           county.

Members considered a report detailing progress against actions and measures in the 2017/18 Wellbeing Objectives delivery plan relevant to the Committee’s remit, as at 31^st December, 2017.

RESOLVED that the report be received.

The Committee noted the reasons for the non-submission of the following reports:-

-  Annual Safeguarding Report

-  Compliments & Complaints End of Year Report 2017/18

RESOLVED that the information be noted.

RESOLVED that the list of forthcoming items to be considered at the next scheduled meetings to be held on 21st May, 2018 be noted.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 5^th March, 2018 be signed as a correct record.