Agenda item

Issues Raised by the Committee:

Responses Received:

The Committee requested that the presentations presented to the Board be embedded in the activity report going forward.

The Committee requested examples to demonstrate how the Corporate Safeguarding Board was on track with actions against the Safeguarding Regulatory Tracker.

The Head of Children’s Services answered that all services had to demonstrate that safeguarding was a priority and complete a safeguarding element of their self-assessment. That information was used to understand the overall placement of the Council.

This meant the requirements of safeguarding were embedded across the whole Council’s agenda and any problems identified would be fed back up to Board level where an action plan could be performed.

The Committee asked for more information regarding savings achieved by using AI for translation and how it was used for the Welsh Language.

What was the current spending on translation, the savings achieved and how had savings been reutilised to improve service provision and role efficiency going forward?

AI was used for language translation and had the potential to support communication between Children’s Services and Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking children amongst other things.

It was anticipated that savings would be achieved due to AI decreasing reliance upon paid translators.

The Portfolio Holder for Future Generations added that everything translated by AI still had to be proofread to ensure that it was accurate but there was great opportunity in the use of AI.

The Head of Children’s Services added that AI was part of the Social Care Digital Transformation Agenda. The Service was working with other local authorities on the use of AI and offered to bring a report to Committee to pick up on the financial part of the question.

The Head for Adults Services added that the Service had been working with Torfaen Borough Council to review how AI could assist with minute taking for safeguarding meetings.

Were other Services looking at incorporating AI and could a Members Development session be available on this?

The Head of Children’s Services answered that many services were looking at incorporating AI into their work and the idea of a Members Development Session could be taken back as a comment.

The Committee welcomed the reduced use of Bed & Breakfast accommodation and asked what further actions were needed to ensure this change was sustainable.

This was an ongoing challenge for the Housing Service in terms of having enough provision to manage homelessness in Powys.

If the Committee required more specific information, then the Housing Service would need to prepare a report for the Committee.

The Committee felt assured of this item only after it was accompanied by the presenting officer’s supporting narrative. It was recommended that the Cabinet receive more comprehensive reports to ensure confidence.

Cabinet Member for Future Generations answered that Cabinet Members sat on many Board meetings and had access to many reports, thus, knew a lot of background information, which resulted in reports being narrowed down when presented at Cabinet meetings.

It was noted that due to this, Cabinet documents could give the impression of being insufficient.

The Committee commented that the use of acronyms and lack of table headings made the report difficult to read. It was asked that the report was made more reader friendly and incorporated further details for members of the public.

These points were taken by the Head of Children’s Services and would be reported to the Director of Social Services.

Cabinet member and portfolio holder for Future Generations thanked the committee for bringing this to their attention and offered assurance that this would be looked into.

What were the associated cost savings around the reduced use of Bed & Breakfasts?

Could a narrative be provided explaining how this reduction resulted in increased safeguarding for young people?

The Committee requested further details around excluded learners, including why this had an impact on safeguarding.

The narrative provided for item 2.6 The CE strategy and implementation plan did not answer why it had an impact on safeguarding.

What was the impact of implementing that plan?

Would Cabinet members receive the embedded papers for the Cabinet Meeting?

Cabinet Member and Portfolio Holder for a Safer Powys answered that each member of the Cabinet was a member of the Safeguarding Board, so would receive the embedded papers with Safeguarding Board papers.

The Committee asked about the formality of procedures at Board Meetings.

The Head of Children’s Services answered that it was a formal Board with opportunity to stop, reflect and ask questions.

Cabinet Member and Portfolio Holder for a Caring Powys added that detailed reports were received before the board meeting.

Cabinet Member and Portfolio Holder for a Safer Powys added that this question was also posed by the Auditing Commissioner, and the report would be ready soon.

The Committee reiterated the importance of the ability to seek assurance from papers presented and that assurance of this paper was only received following the supporting presentation from the officer. This could not be achieved by members of the public by looking at the agenda.

The Committee asked Board members to consider how the robustness of meetings could be demonstrated to assure effectiveness to the public.