Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - County Hall. View directions

Contact: Lisa Richards  Email: lisa.richards@powys.gov.uk

Note: 01597 826371 

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

To receive apologies for absence.

2.

Declarations of Interest

To receive declarations of interest from Members.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

3.

Declarations 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 declarations of party whips.

4.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 67 KB

To authorise the Chair to sign the minutes of the meeting held on 29 May 2018 as a correct record.

Minutes:

Documents:

·         Minutes of meeting held on 29 May 2018

 

Outcome:

·         The Chair was authorised to sign the minutes of the meeting held on 29 May 2018 as a correct record.

5.

DRAFT Social Services Annual Report pdf icon PDF 320 KB

To consider the draft Social Services Annual Report. 

 

A briefing paper by the Scrutiny Manager and Head of Democratic Services is also attached.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Documents:

·         Draft Director of Social Service’s Annual Report

 

Discussion:

·         It was noted that the Director of Social Services had not been in post for the year covered by the report. 

·         The year had seen a significant period of challenge with CIW Inspection reports for both Adults’ and Children’s Social Services

·         Following the critical Children’s Services Report an Improvement Plan was developed, implementation of which will be monitored by the Improvement and Assurance Board.  The Board will also monitor the implementation of the Adults’ Services Improvement Plan.

·         The Service received significant support from corporate services and have had additional investment

·         Whilst significantly improved performance is being achieved there is more work to do

·         The report of the Director of Social Services is statutory and had originally been intended to report on what had been achieved and services provided.  However at that time, little guidance had been issued, allowing individual authorities to develop their own report format.  Under the Social Services and Wellbeing Act there is a requirement for a similar report to be produced but with a specific format.  The report is now required to focus on improvements and support this with both qualitative and quantitative data. Consideration had been given to reporting Children’s and Adults’ Services separately but this did not provide clarity.  Further consideration will be given to the report format for future years.

·         The Scrutiny Committee were asked to provide balance and challenge and to make suggestions as to what might make the report more readable:

·         Members suggestions:

o   The report needed to flow – there was too much ‘jumping’ around

o   Links to Performance Management were missing

o   Members questioned how they could test the viability of outcomes – ie quality of what we deliver and not just quantity?  The Interim Lead for Children’s Services informed the Committee that monitoring is undertaken by the Improvement and Assurance Board and that the minutes of that should be widely available.  More transparency is required.  There is also a need to build in more robust quality assurance in order to give Scrutiny more assurance. The Portfolio Holder confirmed the need to look beyond figures to assess quality and whether the right services were being provided.  The Head of Transformation said that the actions matched those detailed within the Improvement Plan and monitoring will take place against that Plan.

o   It was essential that managers manage.  It was acknowledged that the service had been through a challenging period, but managers must carry out the full extent of their duties.  The Interim Lead, Children’s Services indicated that a number of things needed to be put in place – firstly the workforce needed to be stabilized.  Extra staff have been brought in to ensure the safety of children.  A permanent and stable workforce was not yet in place but the service was working towards this.  HR have developed a package to attract more staff.  It is acknowledged that agency workers are more expensive.  Secondly, placements need to be addressed.  More foster carers have  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Work Programme

The work programme is being reviewed but it is expected to be finalised imminently and will be circulated to Members as soon as possible.

Minutes:

The work programme was still under review following the changes to the committee structure.  It would be circulated to Members as soon as practicable.

 

Members asked if additional training would be provided.  The Scrutiny Manager confirmed that he was developing a training programme to cover the remaining term of the Council.  One of the first topics to be addressed would be relationship issues between the Cabinet, Scrutiny and Officers.

7.

Correspondence

To consider any items of correspondence which, in the opinion of the Chair, are of sufficient urgency to warrant consideration.

Minutes:

There were no items of correspondence.