Agenda and draft minutes

Venue: Chamber - County Hall, Carmarthen. SA31 1JP. View directions

Items
No. Item

1.

TO APPOINT A CHAIR FOR THE MEETING.

Minutes:

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED to appoint Councillor Darren Price as Chair for the meeting.

2.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors G. Jones, G. Thomas and from Mrs G. Cornock-Evans (Parent Governor Member).

3.

DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTEREST.

Minutes:

Councillor/Member

Minute Number

Nature of Interest

 

D. Jones

 

6 – Draft Annual Report of the Statutory Director of Social Services

 

She has relatives who work in the Education Department.

 

B.A.L. Roberts

 

6 – Draft Annual Report of the Statutory Director of Social Services

 

 

Her daughter is a health visitor.

 

 

Mrs V. Kenny

 

 

6 – Draft Annual Report of the Statutory Director of Social Services

 

Her daughter works in Social Services

 

 

 

4.

DECLARATIONS OF PROHIBITED PARTY WHIPS.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of prohibited party whips.

 

5.

PUBLIC QUESTIONS (NONE RECEIVED).

Minutes:

The Chair advised that no public questions had been received.

 

6.

DRAFT ANNUAL REPORT OF THE STATUTORY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF SOCIAL CARE SERVICES IN CARMARTHENSHIRE 2017/18. pdf icon PDF 187 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

[NOTE:  Councillors D. Jones and B.A.L. Roberts and Mrs V. Kenny had earlier declared an interest in this item.]

 

The Committee considered the draft Annual Report of the Statutory Director of Social Services on the Performance of Social Care Services in Carmarthenshire 2017/18. Members were informed that there was a statutory requirement for the Director of Community Services of Social Services to report annually on delivery and performance, as well as plans for the improvement of the whole range of social services. 

 

The report detailed the progress made on areas identified for improvement in last year’s report and highlighted those areas to be developed in the current year.  It examined each service area within Social Care and showed how service strategies, actions, targets and service risks will be addressed and delivered operationally by the service this year, based on the approved budget.

 

The report outlined how the service performed in 2017/18 together with an assessment on the future, together with strategic priorities for 2018/19.  It linked closely with the Business Plans for the Directorates of Community Services and Education & Children’s Services.

 

Following publication of the report, Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) and the Welsh Government will complete their analysis and review of the report.  There will be a formal meeting with CIW in October to discuss their analysis and proposed plan.  This will be followed by an Annual Letter to Council in late November/early December, confirming their analysis and inspection plan.  The process will link in closely with the Wales Programme for Improvement and the Annual Letter from the Wales Audit Office.

 

Officers noted that it was a very positive report on the whole, however, officers were coming to the end of their ability to simply drive efficiencies and it was essential to look at how the demand is funded. 

 

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

 

·       Concern was expressed that at the end of the financial year there were 462 reviews outstanding in the Older Adults Division and reference was made to the huge pressure on staff and the need for more staff.  The Director of Community Services agreed that the number is high, however, it was the best the department has ever done.  A huge effort has been made by the service in this area and the vast majority of the outstanding reviews were only just outside the timescale.  He explained that the challenge for the service was to demonstrate that they are efficient and effective in undertaking reviews and if they are not able to continue that trajectory then either we have to accept a performance below what is desired or we have to add resources;

·       Reference was made to pooled budgets and regional partnership and officers were asked to expand on the challenges.  The Director of Community Services explained that the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 places a requirement on Local Authorities to utilise pool funding in a number of areas. The social care budget will be pooled across three Local Authorities and the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

 

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