Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors I.W. Davies, D.J.R. Llewellyn and E.G. Thomas.

The Chair highlighted that David Eldred, Group Accountant, was retiring and he was attending his last meeting of the Committee. The Chair thanked him for all his work and wished him well for the future on behalf of the Committee.

The Chair welcomed Lesley Roberts, the Area Manager for the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW), who was observing the meeting.

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 Wednesday, 25^th January, 2017 be noted.

The Committee considered the Revenue Budget Strategy Consultation for 2017/18 to 2019/20 and the proposals for the delivery of efficiency savings for the service areas under the purview of the Committee and the charging digests. It was noted that seminars had been held for Members on the main budget proposals.

Officers explained that departments had been asked to deliver savings that would have a significant impact on services. It was explained that the provisional settlement from Welsh Government received in October had been more positive than expected, as it had been cash neutral. However, it would still have an impact due to inflationary pressures, demographic changes and demands for services. The specific proposals for Social Care were outlined to the Committee and it was recognised that the majority of increased pressures tended to be in Social Services. The Committee noted that the budget proposals were aspirational and it may be difficult for some service areas to remain within the budgetary constraints. It was highlighted that more pressures were being put on Social Services and it was felt that this was not being recognised by national government.

Members asked about the effect of the Well-being and Future Generations Act (2015) and what was expected from the Council in making decisions. The Director of Corporate Services explained that the intention was for the Council to try to ensure that their decisions would not have a detrimental impact on the future. The Head of Integrated Services expanded on this and highlighted that it could not be viewed in isolation from the Social Care and Well-being Act 2016, which provided the framework for short term changes that would be able to help deliver the objectives of the Well-being and Future Generations Act in the longer term.

Concerns were expressed over the efficiency savings identified for reducing the existing double handled care packages and ensuring that the health and safety requirements of both staff and service users were met. The Head of Integrated Services explained that the proportion of double handled care packages was high in Carmarthenshire and the initiatives proposed would be undertaken safely. The proposals had been evidence based and there had been no challenge from service users.

The Committee highlighted the proposal for domiciliary care and to reduce the number of care packages of less than 5 hours and requested more information on how this would be delivered. The Head of Integrated Services highlighted that the proposals were based on an audit that had been undertaken on packages of care. It was explained that the service wanted to ensure that packages allowed re-ablement and officers would challenge partners so there were innovative options available. The Committee was reassured that packages were considered on a case by case basis and service users were not put at risk. It was agreed that the audit information would be presented to the Committee at a future meeting.

Members queried the efficiency savings in relation to Learning Disabilities and supported accommodation and concerns were raised that people  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The Committee received the Five Year Capital Programme 2017/18 – 21/22 as part of the budget consultation and considered the projects relating to its service areas. It was noted that feedback from the consultation process would inform the final budget report to be presented to Members in February, 2017.

The Director of Corporate Services highlighted that one of the main projects was the Llanelli Area Review and that £7m was still earmarked for this project. The Committee requested more information of progress on this project and in particular when the new care home would be built. The Head of Integrated Services explained that no definite proposals had been agreed and further information had been requested at the next meeting of the Committee as part of the ARCH project update.

Concern was expressed about existing residential homes in the Llanelli area that were declining and required investment to modernise them and it was asked if this was going to be addressed. The Director of Corporate Services explained that there was £3m allocated to a priority fund and maintenance was captured within this fund. However, the Council did not want to duplicate work that would be part of the ARCH project and prioritises would be determined by the forthcoming proposals. The Executive Board Member for Social Care and Health also informed the Committee that there was a review underway of residential homes to identify what investment was required and a report on the review would be brought to a future meeting.

The Committee noted that the report proposed funding for Llanelli Leisure Centre and officers explained that this was also dependent on the progression of the Llanelli Area Review. Clarification was also provided regarding the new site development for Ysgol Dewi Sant and the Committee was informed that consultation was ongoing regarding the preferred site.

Members queried whether recipients of the Disabled Facility Grants, particularly those in rural areas, could use their own builders to undertake the required work rather than having a builder allocated by the Council. It was agreed that the question would be referred to the Housing Department.

RESOLVED that the report be unanimously received.

The Committee received the Communities Departmental Summary Business Plan 2017-20 and the update on the progress made against the priorities set out in last year’s business plan. It was noted that the full business plan would be presented to the Committee in April 2017.

The Committee noted that the Service User satisfaction survey questionnaires were on hold for the foreseeable future and asked why this was the case. The Performance, Analysis and Systems Manager explained that this information was incorrect and that a survey had been undertaken as part of the requirements of the Social Services and Well-being Act 2014. The results would be reported back to a future meeting of the Committee.

The Committee requested more information on the Community Inclusion element of the Plan and developing a model to replace Real Opportunities aligned to other local developments, including the Families First programme and Youth Service developments. It was noted that Members felt that the Youth Service did not target young people at a young enough age. The Performance, Analysis and Systems Manager highlighted that there was additional funding secured through the Cynnydd project that would assist with the earlier targeting of young people at risk of becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training).

It was queried what the purpose was of increasing citizen directed co-operatives opposed to utilising other partners. The Head of Mental Health and Learning Disabilities explained that it was linked to the changes in delivery of the Welsh Independent Local Grant and opportunities to use the grant in different ways.

RESOLVED that the report be unanimously received.

The Committee considered the Annual Report on Adult Safeguarding (2015-16), which related to the last financial year and summarised the national policy context and the implications of the Social Services and Well Being (Wales) Act 2014.

The Head of Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Services introduced the new Senior Safeguarding Manager and thanked the Senior Manager for Mental Health and Learning Disability Services, for covering the role in the interim.

The key issues in the report were highlighted to Members and it was explained that this was the last report from the Carmarthenshire Safeguarding Adults Board, as the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act established a Regional Board. It was noted that the Regional Board was currently chaired by the Director of Powys County Council and the lead partner for Adult Safeguarding was Carmarthenshire County Council. The financial year 2015/16 had been a transitional year for the implementation of the new Act and development of the regional structure. It was highlighted that it would be useful for Members to receive further information on the Act and it was suggested for an all Members Seminar to be held to consider the Act one year on and what progress had been made. The Committee agreed that this would be beneficial after the local elections in May 2017 so that new Members would also be able to receive this information and requested that it be held in June 2017.

The Senior Manager for Mental Health and Learning Disability Services highlighted the main areas for the safeguarding of particular groups, such as older people in care homes. The Committee was informed of the Flynn Report “In Search of Accountability” following a Ministerial commissioned review into Operation Jasmine (an investigation into alleged abuse in care homes of older people). As a result the Regional Board was requested to develop a position statement and an action plan and progress against the Plan.

The Committee was provided with information on operational arrangements and case studies of how referrals were dealt with by the Safeguarding Team. The performance information indicated that the main client category for adult protection referrals was people over the age of 65 and the most likely place where alleged abuse occurred was in care homes. In regards to type of abuse the main category was neglect. It was noted that it was easier to identify issues in care homes than in people’s own homes, as there were visits from professionals and families. It was highlighted that 152 referrals had led to investigations in 2015/16 and there was a trend of increasing number every year. This trend and the lowering of the threshold for adult safeguarding had resulted in more referrals to the Team. The Committee expressed concerns that there was a small safeguarding team to deal with referrals and asked whether this team would be increased. Officers confirmed that it had challenged the Council to consider increasing the pool of investigating officers and it was highlighted that safeguarding was everyone’s business. The Committee noted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.