Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of prohibited party whips.

The Chair advised that no public questions had been received.

RESOLVED that the list of forthcoming items to be considered at the next scheduled meeting to be held on Thursday, 17^th November, 2016 be noted.

[NOTE:  Councillors H.I. Jones, K. Madge, E. Morgan, B.A.L. Roberts and J. Williams had all earlier declared interests in this item.]

The Committee considered a report providing an update on the implementation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) legislation, the effect of developing case law and the action being taken to mitigate the associated risks.

DoLS form part of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and were in introduced in England and Wales in April 2009.  They were introduced in order to provide a legal framework for vulnerable people in care homes and hospitals who lack mental capacity.  The safeguards exist to provide a proper legal process and suitable protection in those circumstances were deprivation of liberty appears to be unavoidable, in a person’s own best interest.  The responsibility for DoLS is held within the Safeguarding Team and a database is held of all applications and authorisations.  A statistical return is submitted to the Welsh Government on an annual basis. 

The following issues were raised on the report:-

·       Concern was expressed over the fact that the Authority currently has 483 referrals in the red category and an assurance was sought that this figure will decrease.  The Head of Mental Health and Learning Disability explained that the number of front line staff has been increased and other proactive measure have been introduced to try to reduce the waiting list;

·       Concern was expressed regarding the small amount of money allocated to Local Authorities to undertake the requirements of this new legislation and officers were asked if it would be possible for Local Authorities to get together to lobby the Welsh Government in this regard.  The Head of Mental Health and Learning Disability informed the Committee that Local Authorities have provided feedback to the WG.  All Welsh Local Authorities are implementing the legislation in the same way and there is ongoing dialogue between Authorities with regard to the implementation of the legislation.

RESOLVED

6.1     that the report be received;

6.2     that the Committee receive an update report on DoLS in the new        year;

6.3     that the Executive Board Member for Social Care and Health be          requested to write to the Welsh Government expressing the     Committee’s concerns over the financial implications of the new   legislation and the insufficient funding provided;

6.4     that the Executive Board Member for Social Care and Health be          requested to raise the Committee’s concerns over the financial          implications of the new legislation and the insufficient funding         provided at the W.L.G.A. Social Services Policy Group.

[NOTE:  Councillors H.I. Jones, K. Madge, E. Morgan, B.A.L. Roberts and J. Williams had all earlier declared interests in this item.]

The Committee considered the 2016/17 Improvement Plan Performance Monitoring Report, which detailed progress made against the actions and measures contained therein relevant to the Committee’s remit, as at 30^th June, 2016 in respect of Quarter 1.

The following issues were raised on the report:-

·       Concern was expressed that a lack of carers was to blame for the problems being experienced with bed blocking.  The Service Leader for Occupational Therapy advised the Committee that a lot of work is being done with our providers looking at capacity issues.  She added that there are challenges, however, with the new framework in place, things are improving.  The Head of Mental Health and Learning Disability advised the Committee that there is a plan in place to look at the recruitment of carers, which she agreed to circulate to the Committee for information;

·       In response to a question as to whether the service is ready for the approaching winter season, the Committee was advised that winter pressures are already being discussed at weekly meetings.

RESOLVED that the report be received. 

The Committee considered the Revenue & Capital Budget Monitoring Report in relation to the Social Care & Health Service which provided an update on the latest budgetary position as at 30^th June, 2016, in respect of the 2016/17 financial year.

The Social Care & Health Service was projecting an overspend of £845k on the Revenue Budget and a net variance of -£2,360k against the 2016/17 approved Capital Budget. 

The following issues were raised on the report:-

·       Reference was made to the projected overspend and concern was expressed that winter pressures had yet to be taken into account.  Officers were asked how confident they are of being able to reduce the overspend by the end of the year.  The Group Accountant explained that work is ongoing in terms of trying to reduce the overspend.  With regard to the winter pressure he conceded that it was very difficult to gauge the demand;

·       Concern was expressed that the £230k underspend from the Ammanford Extra Care Scheme was used to purchase the Guildhall in Carmarthen and it was felt that, as this money was allocated for the Ammanford area, any slippage should have been spent on social care in the Ammanford area.  The Committee was advised that the money was not a general allocation for Social Care within the Ammanford area but a specific allocation for the Ty Dyffryn Extra Care Scheme within the Authority’s capital programme.  The scheme was completed within budget.  An element of contingency is built into such schemes to cover any unforeseen costs and it was from this contingency fund that the money was used;

·       Reference was made to the fact that Extra Care Schemes have been completed in Carmarthen and Ammanford and officers were asked for an update on the Llanelli scheme. 

RESOLVED

8.1     that the report be received;

8.2     that arrangements be made for the Committee to visit the Extra         Care Scheme in Ammanford;

8.3     that the Committee receive an update on the Arch project, including  the Extra Care Scheme in the Llanelli area, at the next meeting.

The Committee noted the reasons for the non-submission of four reports, which would be presented to the next meeting instead.

RESOLVED that the explanation for the non-submissions be noted.

The Committee received an Annual Report detailing its work during the 2015/16 municipal year.  The report had been prepared in accordance with Article 6.2 of the Council’s Constitution.

The report provided an overview of the Committee’s work programme and the key issues considered including those issues referred to/from the Executive Board and other Scrutiny Committees.  The report also provided details of development sessions and site visits arranged for the Committee as well as attendance data.

The following issues were raised on the report:-

·       Reference was made to page 66 and the use of the phrase “in-place” in relation to the Local Ageing Well Plans and it was felt that the phrase “at home and within their community” would be more appropriate.  Officers agreed to amend the wording accordingly;

·       Concern was expressed at the problems being experienced at the Cwm Aur Residential Home in Llanybydder.  The Committee was informed that regular meetings about Cwm Aur are being held between the Executive Board Member for Social Care & Health, the Local Member and officers and the Committee would receive an update at the earliest opportunity.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the Social Care & Health Scrutiny Committee’s Annual Report 2015/16 be endorsed.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Joint Education & Children and Social Care & Health Scrutiny Committee held on 23^rd May, 2016 be received.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 16^th May, 2016 be signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 15^th June 2016 be signed as a correct record.