Agenda and minutes

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

Items
No. Item

1.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors A. Davies and A. McPherson.

2.

DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTERESTS

Minutes:

There were no declarations of personal interest.

3.

DECLARATION OF PROHIBITED PARTY WHIPS

Minutes:

There were no declarations of prohibited party whips.

 

4.

PUBLIC QUESTIONS (NONE RECEIVED)

Minutes:

The Chair advised that no public questions had been received.

5.

DRAFT REGIONAL STRATEGY "SAFER LIVES, HEALTHIER FAMILIES" TACKLING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN, DOMESTIC ABUSE AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITIES 2018-2022. pdf icon PDF 189 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered the draft regional strategy “Safer Lives, Healthier Families” which was Mid and West Wales’ first joint strategy to tackle violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence.  The strategy outlined how the region will support victims and survivors, tackle perpetrators, ensure professionals have the tools and knowledge to act, increase awareness of the issues and help children and young people to understand inequality in relationships and that abuse behaviour is always wrong.

 

The strategy aimed to embed violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence as “everyone’s business” and a cross cutting theme that requires all areas of public policy to address and to shape and improve the delivery of services for those affected.

 

The Committee’s views were being sought as part of the strategy consultation which will inform the submission to the Welsh Government and publication of the final strategy.

 

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

 

·       The importance was stressed of officers reporting back so that the Committee can see if any improvements have been made;

·       Officers were asked if they had considered providing children with a type of flexicard listing useful helpline numbers, or perhaps an app could be created which provided help and advice.  The Head of Mental Health & Learning Disabilities welcomed the suggestions as it is very important that we do all we can to encourage children to come forward;

·       Reference was made to the fact that the Welsh Government is going to fund on a regional basis from next year.  The Committee was advised that £330k is available for the region and that money will be used to train frontline staff and for advocacy.  Welsh Government is funding regionally in order to encourage regional collaboration;

·       Concern was expressed that the funding in North Wales is much higher than in Dyfed Powys.  The Head of Mental Health and Learning Disabilities explained that this was one reason for the introduction of regional pots as this will allow a more fair and equitable distribution of money;

·       The importance was stressed of the Committee participating in the consultation process, which was available online.

 

RESOLVED that the report be received.

 

6.

ANNUAL REPORT ON ADULT SAFEGUARDING (2016-2018). pdf icon PDF 134 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered the Authority’s Annual Report on Adult Safeguarding, which provided information on the role, functions and activities undertaken by the Authority with regard to Adult Safeguarding.  As the lead organisation responsible for adult safeguarding, the Authority is required to have effective arrangements in place to ensure vulnerable adults are protected from harm.  The Authority undertakes its role in close partnership with Dyfed Powys Police, the Hywel Dda University Health Board and local advocacy organisations. 

 

The report related to the last financial year and summarised the national policy context of Adult Safeguarding at that time, including the implications of the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 and provided a variety of information including:-

 

·       regional strategic position

·       operational arrangements

·       key achievements and significant events

·       key challenges and issues

·       quality assurance

·       partnership reports

·       performance and activity information

 

The Regional Safeguarding Adults Board was now well established.  This Board, chaired by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Director of Social Services, is the lead body responsible for setting strategic direction and governance arrangements for adult safeguarding in the county.  The Board benefits from good strategic leadership and strong partnership arrangements.  The Board has a zero tolerance approach to abuse.  Every person has the right to live a life free from abuse and neglect and it is everyone’s business to ensure that we work together as a community to support and safeguard the most vulnerable in society. 

 

With the implementation of the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act in April 2016 safeguarding adults has been placed on a statutory footing for the first time.  With well established governance and scrutiny arrangements, Carmarthenshire was well placed to implement the duties and principles of the Act. 

 

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

 

·       Reference was made to the corporate parenting training received by some members and officers were asked if it would be possible to roll out this training to all members as they are they eyes and ears of their communities and it was important that they are able to identify neglect;

·       Reference was made to the fact that the MCA/DoLS Manager post has been vacant for almost a year and the fact that the post is being redesigned and officers were asked if too much was being asked of one individual to be responsible for safeguarding too when DoLS is such a big responsibility.  The Senior Safeguarding Manager explained that she will still be the strategic manager and added that we are fortunate in Carmarthenshire as any statutory responsibility does not fall to just one person;

·       Reference was made to the percentage of adult at risk enquiries completed within 7 days increasing from 75.3% in 2016/17 to 92.48% in 2017/18 and officers were asked how such a substantial jump was achieved.  The Committee was advised that there were two reasons for this progress, firstly officers had received clarity over what the duty entails exactly and secondly, there is now a dedicated officers whose  role is to deal with such enquiries;

·       Officers were sked  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

ADULT SOCIAL CARE COMPLAINTS AND COMPLIMENTS REPORT 01/04/17-31/03/18. pdf icon PDF 176 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report detailing the Adult Social Care complaints and compliments received for the 2017/18 financial year.  The report summarised the number of complaints and compliments received and provided information on the type of complaint and the relevant service area.

 

RESOLVED that the report be received.

8.

SOCIAL CARE & HEALTH SCRUTINY COMMITTEE TASK & FINISH GROUP 2018/19 - PLANNING AND SCOPING DOCUMENT. pdf icon PDF 132 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chair reminded the Committee that, following a request for suggestions from members for potential Task & Finish projects, the Committee had considered a number of suggestions and had agreed to undertake a review into Loneliness in Carmarthenshire.

 

The Committee’s discussions relating to the key aims and objectives for the Task and Finish review were captured and developed into a draft planning and scoping document, which included the aims and scope of the review, and was being presented to Committee for consideration and endorsement. 

 

The Committee was also required to agree which members should sit on the Task & Finish Group, which should consist of up to 6 members on a politically balanced basis.

 

It was noted that the first meeting of the Task & Finish Group would be held on 14th June, 2018 when a Chair and Vice-Chair would be appointed from the membership of the Group.  Officers from the Communities Department and Democratic Services Unit will support the work of the Task & Finish Group.

 

RESOLVED

 

8.1     that the Task and Finish Scoping Document be received;

 

8.2     that the aims and scope of the work of the Task and Finish Group     be endorsed;

 

8.3     that the membership of the Task and Finish Group be as follows:-

 

·       Councillor Ieuan Wyn Davies

·       Councillor Ken Lloyd

·       Councillor Louvain Roberts

·       Councillor Emlyn Schiavone

·       Councillor Gwyneth Thomas

·       Councillor Dorian Williams

 

9.

SOCIAL CARE & HEALTH SCRUTINY COMMITTEE ACTIONS & REFERRALS UPDATE. pdf icon PDF 140 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received a report detailing the progress achieved in relation to actions, requests or referrals emerging from previous meetings.  

 

RESOLVED that the report be received.


 

10.

SOCIAL CARE & HEALTH SCRUTINY COMMITTEE FORWARD WORK PROGRAMME 2018/19. pdf icon PDF 150 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered its Forward Work Programme for 2018/19, which had been prepared in accordance with the Council’s Constitution which required Scrutiny Committees to develop and publish annual forward work programmes identifying issues and reports to be considered at meetings during the course of the municipal year.

 

RESOLVED that the Forward Work Programme for the Social Care & Health Scrutiny Committee for 2018/19 be confirmed.

11.

TO SIGN AS A CORRECT RECORD THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE HELD ON 19TH APRIL, 2018. pdf icon PDF 216 KB

Minutes:

 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 19th April, 2018 be signed as a correct record.

 

 

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