Issue - meetings

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

Measure 1 – Percentage of households Successfully Prevented from Becoming Homeless

Members questioned the reason why the figures decreased at the start of 2024.

The Head of Housing and Communities reported an increase in the number of people prevented from becoming homeless over the past year. Local authorities have a statutory duty to help prevent homelessness within 56 days of a person becoming homeless. Due to a team restructure and new legislation requiring landlords to give six months' notice, authorities are now intervening earlier, preventing homelessness before a statutory duty is owed. This proactive approach has led to more effective prevention of homelessness.

Officers confirmed that there is a focus on early intervention work. A report was being developed and will be brought back to committee at a later date.

Measure 6 – Number of Children on the Child Protection Register

Measure 8 – Number of Re-registrations on the Child Protection Register

Members were concerned at the increase in emotional abuse; the data will assist members in monitoring this going forward.

Members asked for further information in relation to the decrease for January to March 2023. With reference to the table on page 104 of the report, there was one re registration on the child protection register for the same time period. Members enquired if the number of children on the child protection register were all new to social services.

The Director of Social Services, Health & Housing advised members that the children would not be new to Social Services, but they might be new on the child protection register.

Officers clarified that the re-registration data reflects those children that have previously been on the child protection register and have then had another period of registration.

Measure 2 - Average Number of Days to Deliver a Disabled Facilities Grant from First Point of Contact to Certification

Members asked for clarity concerning the term ‘first point of contact’.

Officers confirmed that the first point of contact was the point at which a member of the public contacted the authority.

Members commented that the figures had improved; previously there had been a three-year waiting list.

Members enquired if a priority system was in place for the most urgent cases.

Officers confirmed that the Occupational Therapists assessed cases and advised officers of priority need, and those cases took precedence. It was noted that many cases will be in a fairly urgent position. The Means Test has been brought back in and this should reduce the waiting list demand over the next twelve to eighteen months.

Measure 3 - Commissioning: The Number of Hours of External Domiciliary Care (18 +)

Members asked for more information in relation to the rise in the number of hours of external domiciliary care.

The Head of Adult Services confirmed that an in-house service is being used to right-size care packages before transferring people to the external market. The new re-ablement offer at Trem Y Glyn will soon be operational. As a result, the number of hours of domiciliary  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6