Venue: Teams
Contact: Lisa Richards
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Apologies To receive apologies for absence. |
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Declarations of Interest To receive declarations of interest from Members. Minutes: There were no declarations of interest. |
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Disclosure of Party Whips To receive disclosures of prohibited party whips which a Member has been given in relation to the meeting in accordance with Section 78(3) of the Local Government Measure 2011.
(NB: Members are reminded that, under Section 78, Members having been given a prohibited party whip cannot vote on a matter before the Committee.) Minutes: There were no disclosures of party whips. |
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To authorise the Chair to sign the minutes of the last meeting as a correct record. Minutes: Documents: · Minutes of the last meeting held on 28 January 2021
Outcomes: · The minutes were amended to reflect that when options for alternatives to the Welshpool Day Centre are developed, these should be considered by scrutiny |
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Access to Information The Monitoring Officer has determined that category 3 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules applies to the following items. His view on the public interest test (having taken account of the provisions of Rule 14.8 of the Council's Access to Information Rules) was that to make this information public would disclose information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). These factors in his view outweigh the public interest in disclosing this information. Members are asked to consider these factors when determining the public interest test, which they must decide when considering excluding the public from this part of the meeting.
Minutes: RESOLVED to exclude the public for the following item of business on the grounds that there would be disclosure to them of exempt information under category 3 of The Local Authorities (Access to Information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007).
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Valuing Residential Care To consider the report of the Portfolio Holder for Adult Services. Minutes: Documents: · Report of the Portfolio Holder for Adult Services
Discussion: · The Portfolio Holder explained the need for the review and the aim to achieve a stable care market · There were fewer earlier admissions to residential care but those being admitted were older or had more complex needs · Powys had received negative media reports last year as paying the lowest for places in residential care homes across Wales · The proposals would drive quality and ensure appropriate recompense · It will also emphasise that a career in care is valued which complements other initiatives such as the Powys Health Academy · The Head of Commissioning provided a detailed presentation on the methodology used to assess care home costs and the results obtained · The review had applied to 18 homes in the private sector but not to those homes subject to a separate contract with Shaw · Uplifts had not been provided in recent years and whilst value for money had been obtained, the value of care had not been recognised · The Authority has worked on the basis of 95% occupancy in the past but, in line with Welsh Government requirements, will now work on the basis of 90% occupancy through the remainder of the pandemic until reverting to 95% occupancy when business as usual resumes. · Actual occupancy through the pandemic has been between 70% and 80% with the Welsh Government Hardship Fund providing financial support to bridge the gap · The Committee asked if occupancy rates were likely to fall further after the pandemic – the Welsh Government is predicting a slow increase in demand for care homes. Providers are already concerned about their sustainability in the short term. The Welsh Government Hardship Fund has been extended for a further 6 months – this contributes £50 per resident per week to a home. If there is lower than 90% occupancy compared to the levels for 2019/20, the Welsh Government is paying for those voids. In the longer term with increased use of technology and extra care housing, there may not be the demand for residential care homes. Ideally that funding could be used to support people within their own communities. There is concern that there could be unplanned closures but there is a recognition that there may not be the demand for as many care homes. · Gold and Silver standards will be created which will encourage homes to invest over the longer term in improving accommodation. Officers said that a premium would be continued for those who can provide a gold standard · Members asked how the changes mean we now compare to other authorities and officers confirmed we will sit above average. · Self-funders and those from out of county are subject to separate arrangements with individual homes · The homes have been advised of the outcome of the review and have welcomed the proposals · The Head of Commissioning was asked which was more cost effective, caring for someone at home or in residential care. Caring for someone at home would be cheaper but the Welsh Government have ... view the full minutes text for item 6. |
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Work Programme To note that the Chair and Vice Chair will meet with the Corporate Director to discuss a future work programme as and when business returns to usual. In the meantime, the following items have been programmed and other items will be added when known:
· 14 April – Service Risk Registers · 23 July – Q1 Finance report · 24 September – joint working with the Health Board Minutes: The proposed work programme was noted. |