Agenda item

[NOTE:  Councillors K. Madge had earlier declared interests in this item.]

The Committee considered the Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring Report in relation to the Social Care and Health Service which provided an update on the latest budgetary position as at 31^st December, 2016, in respect of the 2016/17 financial year.

The Social Care and Health Service was projecting an overspend of £392k on the Revenue Budget and a net variance of -£1,990k against the 2016/17 approved Capital Budget. 

Concern was expressed about staff vacancies and the pressure it was putting on services. It was queried if posts were being held to make efficiency savings. The Head of Mental Health and Learning Disability Services explained that they were not choosing to hold posts and there were difficulties in recruiting into some social worker posts. It was noted that the Service was working with universities to address this issue. The Committee was supportive of this approach and queried whether further connections could be made with schools to encourage people to consider social work as a profession from an earlier age. Officers highlighted that there was some work already undertaken in schools, for example working with Social Care A’ Level students and work experience placements, and the Service would continue to build these links. Members noted that they received requests from young people completing the Duke of Edinburgh qualifications to undertake volunteer work and it was suggested that schemes such as sheltered housing could benefit from this volunteer work. It was agreed that this suggestion would be raised with Housing Services.

It was noted that the recruitment of social workers was a national issue and the department was considering incentives to encourage social workers to work in the area. Members requested information on the number of social worker vacancies and the Head of Mental Health and Learning Disability Services agreed to circulate a Care Council for Wales report concerning the Profile of Social Workers in Wales. Members asked where students trained to be social workers and whether the qualifications were offered locally. Officers explained that social workers had to complete a degree and there were numerous programmes in Wales. There were also options for people to complete the course through the Open University with support from the workplace and consideration was being given to the Council ‘growing their own’ through this process. It was agreed that the Head of Mental Health and Learning Disability Services would establish if there was information available on which local authorities social workers were returning to when qualified and to provide more information on local authorities that were growing their own.

It was highlighted that some councils had changed their notice period to three months, which caused delays in the recruitment process. Carmarthenshire Council was considering a similar approach. Members noted that there was also a delay between notice period being served and the advertising of posts and it was felt that a shadowing period would be beneficial.

It was clarified that the abbreviation SSMSS stood for Social Services Management and Support Services. The Group Accountant explained that it was a Welsh Government term and referred to departmental management and business support. Members queried what the holding account for transport was for and it was noted that it was for the distribution of transport costs for departments that make use of the services.

Members asked for an update on the progress of the Extra Care Scheme and ARCH Project in Llanelli. The Modernisation Programme Manager informed them that the Project Team was meeting regularly and an update report would be requested. It was noted that an update on the ARCH Project had been provided to Council as part of the City Deal presentation.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the report be received.