To receive reports from, and to put questions to, Cabinet Portfolio Holders:
a. Councillor Stephen Hayes – Cabinet Portfolio Holder: Adult Social Care
b. Councillor Rachel Powell – Cabinet Portfolio Holder: Children’s Services, Leisure Services and Libraries
Minutes:
Members welcomed the opportunity to receive reports from, and to put questions to, Cabinet Portfolio Holders.
Councillor Stephen Hayes – Cabinet Portfolio Holder: Adult Social Care
a. Inspection of Adult Social Care – there had been significant work to prepare for the forthcoming inspection of Adult Social Care to be undertaken by CSSIW. The inspection would review the experiences of those who had received support and the journey taken. The Portfolio Holder expects some issues to be highlighted for improvement but would be disappointed if significant failings in care are uncovered.
b. Delayed Transfers of Care (DTOCs) – there’s regular dialogue between the Local Authority and District General Hospitals/local hospitals to discuss DTOCs. There’s increased pressure during the winter months because of seasonal illnesses. The priority for the Local Authority would be to ensure care packages are in place in order for patients to be discharged and free hospital space
c. Budget – the Powys budget for Adult Social Care is in the region of £57 million per annum (2016/17). ASC also generates approximately 14% of the Council’s income. The Welsh Government had capped care contributions to £70 per week. The Welsh Government would be likely to increase the amount of capital which could be held without any impact on financial contributions to residential care. The service would be likely to need an additional £6million in the 2018-19 budget in order to meet increasing pressures
d. Care Homes (BUPA / HC1) – Powys owns 12 care homes which are run by BUPA under contract and have been since 1999. BUPA had announced that it would transfer operations to HC1. The Local Authority had expressed concern because there had been no engagement with the County Council. There are on-going discussions between the Authority’s legal team and BUPA regarding the position
e. Telecare/Home Support – there had been significant success in terms of using technology to support people in being safe at home. Members were reminded that officers are regularly present with a stall in the foyer of County Hall demonstrating telecare/home support solutions.
f. Learning Disability Services The service had been recommissioned about 18months ago, making significant savings. There are a relatively small number of people receiving support which is high cost. More and more of those receiving care are getting older
Councillor Rachel Powell – Cabinet Portfolio Holder: Children’s, Youth, Leisure and Library Services
a. Youth Service – there would be a new youth strategy shortly. Services would need to deliver in the spirit of the strategy
b. Youth Justice Service – the Portfolio Holder had visited the service and learnt a lot about workings and support provided. Members were encouraged to do the same
c. Youth Centres – the Portfolio Holder values member input in relation to proposals for local youth services. There would be a focus on working with communities to safeguarding existing provision where possible and where communities have an appetite to engage
d. Member Engagement – the Portfolio Holder would welcome members engaging with staff in order to better their understandings of services across all portfolio holder areas
e. Leisure Services – there are regular meetings and good engagement with Freedom Leisure. Freedom Leisure operate leisure sites under contact with the Local Authority
f. Sports Wales – the Portfolio Holder had met with representatives from Sports Wales. Child Sexual Exploitation is an area of focus. Body image and mental health are also recognised issues for young people. Local authorities would receive information from Sports Wales regarding how these issues could be tackled locally and within Wales
g. Mental Health – body image is a real issue for young people and there are programmes to help identify and support young people who display worrying behaviours
h. Local Communities – it would be important to work with communities to identify where there are local issues and need of support
i. Foster Carers – there continues to be a need for additional foster carers. Nine new carers had recently joined the Council. It’s recognised that it would be important for the Council to support its foster carers. Members could help in identifying potential carers. An offer for discounted use of leisure facilities would be available to foster carers. The Council would consider what benefits it could provide in order to attract and retain foster carers
j. CSSIW Inspection of Children’s Services – the Authority had responded well to the areas for improvement identified by CSSIW. The Portfolio Holder had been re-assured by actions taken. A number of vacant positions had been filled by agency staff. Member interest into local team functions would be welcome
k. Regional Safeguarding Board – a member expressed concern with regard to the issues found in need of improvement by CSSIW having not been identified by the regional safeguarding board. The Portfolio Holder explained that the working of safeguarding boards had been recognised as an area for local review
l. Bannau/Camlas – the Portfolio Holder attends the site every 4-6 weeks in order to offer advice and support. Members were invited to visit the site with the portfolio holder (those interested were encouraged to link with Rachel direct)
m. Corporate Parenting – members were urged to undertake activities to support them in their Corporate Parenting role. Training requirements in relation to domestic violence would need to be met (members were reminded that they had recently been e-mailed a link in order to complete a domestic violence training package)
n. Staylittle Outdoor Pursuits Centre - the Authority had engaged in a process to tender for the operation of the site and would favour an operator retaining the facility
o. Children’s Team (Newtown) – it is recognised that there are staffing issues with the team. Some relief social workers had expressed an interest to stay with Powys for the longer term. The staffing of positions would be monitored
Supporting documents: