Agenda and minutes

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Items
No. Item

1.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors A.L Fox, K. Madge and D.T. Williams.

2.

DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTERESTS INCLUDING ANY PARTY WHIPS ISSUED IN RELATION TO ANY AGENDA ITEM.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor

Minute No (s)

Nature of Interest

K. Lloyd

4. Revenue & Capital Budget Monitoring Report 2020/21.

6. Learning Disability Strategy 2020-2025

Close family member is a carer in the Shared Lives Scheme.

 

There were no declarations of prohibited party whips.

3.

PUBLIC QUESTIONS

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chair advised that no public questions had been received.

4.

REVENUE & CAPITAL BUDGET MONITORING REPORT 2020/21 pdf icon PDF 241 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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 31st December 2020 in respect of the 2020/21 financial year.

 

The Social Care & Health Service was projecting an overspend of £789K on the revenue budget and net variance of -£149K against the 2020/21 approved capital budget.

 

The following questions / observations were raised on the report:

 

·         It was asked if the overspend within Physical Disabilities and Mental Health areas would have occurred if the Covid pandemic hadn’t struck. The Executive Board Member for Resources advised that it was difficult to predict if it would have happened but provided assurance that the budget was in hand.

·         It was asked if the projected overspend had reduced since the report had been generated.  The Group Accountant advised that the accounts were still being finalised, however income was being received so it was hoped that some improvement would be seen.

 

RESOLVED that the report be received.

5.

DEPARTMENT FOR COMMUNITIES DEPARTMENTAL BUSINESS PLAN 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 247 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered the Communities Departmental Business Plan 2021/22 in relation to those services falling within its remit:

 

·         Commissioning and Business Support.

·         Integrated Services

·         Adult Social Care

·         Care Homes (part of Homes and Safer Communities)

 

It was noted that due to the COVID-19 pandemic this was an abbreviated plan.  Usually, it would include a review section but this had already been covered in the Service COVID-19 Impact Assessments previously submitted to the Committee in January and March.

 

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

 

·         An update was asked regarding the implementation of Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS).  The Head of Integrated Services advised that Government had delayed the implementation however as an Authority, preparations were continuing, and comprehensive plans being developed between the three Authorities and the Health Board.  Reassurance was given that the Authority was maintaining compliance with Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).

·         Concern was raised regarding the empty bed voids in Care Homes.  The Head of Homes and Safer Communities advised that the number of voids had reduced. 

·         Reference was made to the innovative investment programme for care homes and sheltered housing. The Head of Homes and Safer Communities advised that some of the care homes were outdated and in need of modernisation and that the intention was to use and secure funding through ICF and Swansea Bay City Deal for technology investment.

 

RESOLVED that the Department for Communities Departmental Business Plan 2021/22 be received.

6.

LEARNING DISABILITY STRATEGY 2020-2025 pdf icon PDF 245 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered the Learning Disability Strategy (2020- 2025). The Committee had previously considered the draft strategy at its meeting on the 19th April 2018.

 

It was noted that in developing the final strategy, a series of engagement events were held in 2019.  These were facilitated by both Mencap and Carmarthenshire People First, with support from Council officers. The strategy provided strong service user and parent/carer input into the direction of travel for learning disabilities in Carmarthenshire.

 

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

 

·         The predicted increase of the population with Learning Disabilities was queried.  The Head of Strategic Joint Commissioning advised that the predicted figures had been established using the demographic information from the StatsWales database which is used across Wales.

·         It was asked if the Authority had a plan in place for the increase in demand on the autism services.  It was advised that there was a Regional Strategy for autism and that the Head of Adult Social Care would be able to provide additional information.

·         In response to a comment regarding the gaps in the availability of services in the evenings and on weekends, the Head of Strategic Joint Commissioning advised that improvements had already been made.  During consultation and engagement, it was clear that support needed to be made available when it was most required. Work was on-going to address these needs and to make communities more inclusive.

·         Concern was expressed regarding the lack of transport provision.  It was acknowledged that unfortunately this was a re-occurring theme and that work was continuing in supporting people to access local services within the community.  Additionally, a transport champion had been appointed who was a user representative on the Regional Partnership Board.

·         Concern was raised regarding the lack of availability of the Country Cars service in some areas.  It was advised that perhaps the Committee could engage with the Royal Voluntary Service to discuss these concerns.

·         It was asked how the transfer of Direct Payments back to in-house was progressing.  The Committee was advised that the project had progressed well and that the feedback from the service users had been positive. 

 

RESOLVED that the Learning Disability Strategy (2020- 2025) be received.

7.

ADULT SOCIAL CARE COMPLAINTS & COMPLIMENTS REPORT 1ST APRIL 2020 TO 31ST DECEMBER 2020 pdf icon PDF 231 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report detailing the Adult Social Care complaints and compliments received for the 2020-21 financial year.  The report summarised the number of complaints and compliments received and provided information on the type of complaint and the service area relating to complaints and compliments.

 

The Executive Board Member for Health and Social Care highlighted that the number of compliments received had more than doubled during the reporting period and that the number of complaints had decreased.

 

It was stated that while complaints had reduced it was important to receive these so that lessons could be learnt.

 

RESOLVED that the report be received.

8.

FORTHCOMING ITEMS pdf icon PDF 123 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the list of forthcoming items to be considered at the next scheduled meeting on the 21st May, 2021 be noted.

9.

TO SIGN AS A CORRECT RECORD THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON THE 11TH MARCH 2021 pdf icon PDF 240 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

UNANAMOUSLY RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on the 11th March, 2021 be signed as a correct record.

 

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