Agenda item

The Committee considered the Communities Departmental Draft Business Plan 2018/19 – 2021 in relation to those services falling within its remit i.e. Care and Support, Mental Health Learning and Disability Safeguarding, Integrated Services, Commissioning Services, Business Support and Performance Analysis and Systems. It was noted that further work would be undertaken on the draft following comments and engagement by the Committee and Executive Board Members. Additionally, feedback from staff groups to date had indicated greater emphasis would be welcomed on integrated wellbeing actions through divisional plans together with ensuring the sustainability of services through different methods in the face of growing demand.

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

·        Clarification was sought on the level of risk identified within the report on the Authority (as a key partner) being liable for the repayment of significant amounts of grant funding to the Area Planning Board for Substance Misuse with no prospect of recovering those amounts from third parties.

The Head of Mental Health & Learning Disabilities reported that the funding of the service was met via a Welsh Government Grant which was then used to commission services from Drug Aid. The potential risk of any payback was considered to be low, with the only occasion when that would be envisaged being if a commissioned service were to become insolvent. As the providers of those services were required to submit quarterly performance reports, it would be unusual for them to become insolvent without the Authority being aware of any difficulties.

·        In response to a question on qualitative monitoring of substance misuse commissioned service providers, the Head of Mental Health & Learning Disabilities confirmed they were subject to quarterly reviews. The Department would also, in the New Year, be holding a workshop on commissioned services to examine qualitative outcomes. Arrangements could also be made for the committee to be provided with a report on substance misuse in the New Year

The Head of Mental Health & Learning Disabilities requested that if members had any concern on the level of service from the Council’s commissioned service providers they draw them to her attention.

·        In response to a question on the monitoring of the Department’s intent for staff to ‘have manageable workloads, effective and responsive systems and processes, the Head of Integrated Services confirmed the Authority, as an employer, had a duty of care to ensure staff had manageable workloads. Whilst demand for integrated services was increasing, she was confident the workload was being managed within her service.  Staff were also able to raise any workload concerns via regular appraisals and ‘one to ones’

The Head of Mental Health & Learning Disabilities advised that in relation to her service, an analysis was being undertaken on increasing service demand on workloads, especially in relation to the provisions of the Health and Well Being Act.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the Communities Departmental Business Plan 2018/19 – 2021 be received.