Agenda item

[NOTE:  Councillors H.I. Jones, K. Madge, E. Morgan and J. Williams had earlier declared an interest in this item.]

The Committee considered a report and received a presentation providing an update on the work that is ongoing in the county to support unpaid carers.

There are 24,000 unpaid carers in Carmarthenshire with almost 10,000 of them caring for up to or over 50 hours every week.  The contribution to the local economy in the region is substantial.

A regional work stream developed under the Information and Consultation Strategy for Carers (commonly referred to as the Carers Measure) has been ongoing for three years with the strategy reaching its final term in 2016.  Ongoing funding to assist the transfer of the strategic initiatives to the new Social Services and Wellbeing Act has been provided by the Welsh Government for a further two years at a slightly reduced rate (5% less per annum).  This funding will be mostly utilised to deliver the ongoing work of the Investors in Carers Programme.

In line with the requirement to produce an annual report on the region’s progress and delivery of the Carers Measure, the Committee was requested to endorse the draft Carers Measure Annual Report for submission to the Welsh Government.

In Carmarthenshire a Carers Action Plan was launched in late 2014 which targets activity in relation to the National Carers Strategy.  Carers Health and Wellbeing, Carers and Employment, A Life Beyond Caring, young Carers and Young Adult Carers were themes therein and the Committee considered a monitoring report covering each activity stream.

The Committee also considered the Carmarthenshire Strategic Partnership Board for Cares Annual Report 2015/16. 

It was noted that not recognising or support unpaid carers could lead to the following outcomes:-

-         a decline in the numbers of carers/family members prepared to take on     a     caring role;

-   poor health outcomes for citizens with a caring role;

-   contravention the Human Rights and the Equalities Act.

These outcomes may result in increased costs to health and social care budgets.

The following issues were raised on the report:-

-   concern was expressed that the Welsh Government  needs to realise that     funding must continue and it was suggested that approaches be made to     Assembly Members in the Dyfed Powys area highlighting these concerns;

-   in response to a question asking what payment is available for unpaid   carers, the Committee was advised that Carers’ Allowance is the main        benefit payable, however, that stops beyond retirement age, which      unfortunately is when caring starts for some people.  The issue of payment for young carers was very difficult because you cannot legally start work    until you are 16 so officers were looking at time banking in that respect;

-   reference was made to the importance of linking this issue with housing as      a lot of elderly people live in accommodation which is unsuitable but as     adaptations are means tested they could be very expensive.  The need for     such suitable housing to have good transport links was also stressed.  The     Head of Integrated Services agreed that the Authority needs to be more     robust in supporting adults with housing and transport needs and officers     were in the process of preparing a report on these issues for consideration      by the Committee at a future date.

RESOLVED

6.1     that the report be received;

6.2     that the Carers Measure Annual Report be endorsed for submission to the Welsh Government;

6.3     that the Executive Board Member for Social Care and Health be          requested to contact all Assembly Members in the Dyfed Powys           area to voice the Committee’s concerns over funding and asking           them to put pressure on the Welsh Government regarding           payments for carers.