Issue - meetings

·        To select appropriate items from the Cabinet agenda for pre-decision scrutiny (cabinet reports enclosed for Scrutiny Members)

·        To select appropriate items from the Cabinet (Finance) Sub Committee agenda for pre-decision scrutiny (Cabinet Finance Sub - Committee reports enclosed for Scrutiny Members)

The committee scrutinised the following cabinet item:

Joint Response to the Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015

Members discussed the scope of the Act in relation to services and support offered locally. Men were just as able to access these services and support as women, and many men had already been helped in the local area.

A recently noted trend, was domestic abuse from children towards their parents. Help would also be offered to older people who had been the subject of emotional or financial abuse from their partners.

Partnership work was key, and local hairdressers had been briefed on where to signpost possible victims of domestic abuse/violence, as clients may open up or share information more readily with their hairdresser. This highlighted that different approaches were necessary to encourage different people to come forward.

Another operational example of partnership working was the Police sharing domestic violence reports information with schools. Pupils whose parents had been involved in domestic abuse over the weekend or school holidays could then be monitored and helped where necessary.

Following scrutiny, the committee was supportive of the proposals to be considered by cabinet.

·        To select appropriate items from the Cabinet agenda for pre-decision scrutiny (cabinet reports enclosed for Scrutiny Members)

·        To select appropriate items from the Cabinet (Finance) Sub Committee agenda for pre-decision scrutiny (Cabinet Finance Sub - Committee reports enclosed for Scrutiny Members)

The committee scrutinised the following cabinet items:

Valleys Action Plan – Progress Report

Members discussed the lack of transport currently servicing valleys communities. It was noted that the City Deal Joint Committee had recently established a shadow Transport Sub Committee, with the agreement of the Welsh Government, to address priorities going forward. Although a lot of work was needed in this area, the building blocks were being put in place to improve the current situation.

The high occupancy of small business units in valleys communities was discussed, and Members noted the additional allocation made in the regeneration capital programme to be able to take advantage of potential funding opportunities.

Examples of social enterprises were discussed, including the domiciliary care service going forward. The service would be more geographical going forward, providing local jobs for local people. The difference between the new home help service (low level personal care) and the domiciliary care service (higher level and some medical care) was discussed.

Following scrutiny, the committee was supportive of the proposals to be considered by cabinet.

Future Arrangements in Respect of Neath Port Talbot Council Shareholding in Baglan Bay Company Limited and Coed Darcy Limited.

In response to Member’s questions, officers clarified that the price of the shares held by the Council in respect of Coed Darcy Limited was £1.

Following scrutiny, the committee was supportive of the proposals to be considered by cabinet.