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Contact: Stacy Curran 01639 763194 Email: s.curran@npt.gov.uk
No. | Item |
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Declarations of interest from Members Minutes: The
following Member made a declaration of interest at the commencement of the
meeting: Cllr S
Freeguard: Report of the Director
of Social Services, Health and Housing re: Mental Health Services Strategic
Delivery Plan 2018-19 as she is a Member of the ABMU Community Health Council. |
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Minutes of the Social Care, Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee held on 8th March 2018 PDF 82 KB Minutes: The
Committee considered the minutes of the meeting held on 8th March
2018. In
relation to the item on the Western Bay Area Plan for Care and Support Needs
2018-23 the Committee noted that where concern had been raised ‘…for those
people that may need to move away from their communities’ they stated that this
concern had been in relation to those people who had to move away from their
communities in order to access residential care and requested that this be
included in the Minutes for that item. With
the above amendments the Committee noted the minutes. |
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To receive the Scrutiny Forward Work Programme 2017/18. PDF 80 KB Minutes: The
Committee noted the Forward Work Programme. |
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Additional documents: Minutes: Members
received information in relation to the policies and procedures available for
staff to report concerns about safeguarding or other employment matters as
contained within the circulated report. Members
noted that there was an emphasis on resolving complaints and issues early and
informally where possible. Members
asked when the policies referenced had been reviewed and were informed that the
Dignity at Work and the Whistleblowing Policies had been reviewed in August
2015, and that the Grievance Policy was reviewed in 2013 and will be due for
further review this year. The
Committee asked for further information in relation to the involvement of Trade
Unions in policy development and review. It was explained that consultation is
carried out fully when new policies are under development and suggested updates
at review stage are taken through Joint Working Groups. Members
asked for further information on the Conflict Resolution Officers (CRO’s) who
are recruited from within the Council and trained to assist in the resolution
of conflicts arising from dignity at work complaints. It was explained that
CROs are employees who have volunteered for the role, and have been selected
and trained to support staff. They are a
mixed group by age, gender and profession across Directorates but do not
replace the support offered to employees by their Trade Union representatives. Members
queried if the library of policies is easily and readily available to staff.
They were informed that for those staff who have online access the policies are
easily accessible via the Council’s intranet site. Members were notified that
work is ongoing to develop the Employee Portal to further enhance the
information available to those employees without direct work online access. The
Committee noted Appendix E of the Employee Code of Conduct which specifically
deals with the relationship between elected Councillors and employees and that
should an employee have a grievance about their employment a direct approach to
Councillors by staff is not permitted. The Committee were informed that if they
are approached directly by a member of staff they should refer them back to
their line manager and signposted to the appropriate policy. The Committee recognised
the existing mechanisms whereby there is Councillor involvement; such as Staffing
Appeals Committee and the recruitment and dismissal of Chief Officers. Following
scrutiny it was agreed that the report be noted. |
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PRE-SCRUTINY Minutes: The
Committee scrutinised the following matters: Cabinet
Board Proposals 5.1 Residential and Non-Residential Care
Charging Policy The Committee received information in relation to
the Residential and Non- Residential Care Charging Policy as contained within
the circulated report. Members asked if the funding received from Welsh
Government was sufficient and were informed that the additional funding levels
received are closely monitored to ensure that appropriate amounts are received. The Committee noted that for cases where
residential care stays exceed 8 weeks but are less than 52 weeks Residential
Charging Assessments are carried out on a temporary (Extended Care) basis and
property is only taken into account when long term placements are required but
will be disregarded in certain circumstances i.e. where a spouse is still
living at the address. Members were concerned about the potential
situation of charging higher fees to private residents in order to subsidise
Council placements. Officers explained that a framework exists and that this
situation is closely monitored with regular meetings being held with
providers. It was noted that on-costs are not included in the
fee amounts stated in the circulated report. Members were reminded that the Council had entered
into a 25 year contract with Pobl Group. The Committee asked for a list of Care Homes that
provide a service with no ‘top up’ fees and were informed that the nature of
the ‘top up’ is continually monitored. Members raised concern at the levels of poverty
among service users and were assured that affordability
is considered and close working links are fostered with colleagues in agencies
such as Welfare Rights, POVA (Protection of Vulnerable Adults) and South Wales
Police. The Committee discussed why service users do not
share their financial information and noted that they are continually
encouraged to do so but that it remains a personal choice. Members were reminded that the Pobl
Group could be invited to participate in a scrutiny session and the Committee
looked forward to this session being arranged Following scrutiny the Committee were supportive of
the proposals to be considered at Cabinet Board. 5.2 Mental Health Services Strategic Delivery
Plan The Committee received information in relation to
the Mental Health Services Strategic Delivery Plan as contained within the
circulated report. Members asked officers if they were confident that
progress against the Mental Health action plan could be undertaken in a timely
manner. Officers explained that progress has been slow at times, as working
with other partner agencies can sometimes present challenges with regards to
timescales but that continual feedback on progress would be provided to
Members. The Committee discussed issues that service users
face when living in supported living accommodation and were encouraged to hear
about the ongoing work with colleagues in the Environment Directorate to
consider all issues such as parking and the street-scene environment. Members discussed the emphasis of caring for people in their own homes but were concerned about the services that lay outside of the Council’s control. Members recognised the importance of a joined up strategic ... view the full minutes text for item 5. |