Venue: Committee Rooms A/B - Neath Civic Centre. View directions
Contact: Stacy Curran 01639 763194 Email: s.curran@npt.gov.uk
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Minutes of the Social Care, Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee (Budget) PDF 76 KB Minutes: Members
noted the minutes of the Social Care, Health and Wellbeing Budget (Special)
held on the 12 December 2018. Members asked that their concern in relation to
the withdrawal of the Welfare Rights Unit be emphasised further. The Unit has provided an excellent service in
assisting the people of Neath Port Talbot. |
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Forward Work Programme 2018/2019. PDF 155 KB Minutes: Discussion
took place on the impact of neurodiversity, particularly Autism and its
implications and whether there was merit in arranging a Task and Finish Group.
This would be looked at in further detail and what the implications were for
Education and whether this could be a joint piece of work between Education,
Skills and Culture and Social Care, Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee.
Scrutiny Officers to explore options and bring back to next meeting. |
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Pre-Scrutiny Minutes: The
Committee scrutinised the following items: Cabinet
Board Proposals 4.1 Housing Options Service The Committee received information in relation to
the Housing Options Service, as contained within the circulated report. Members queried the lack of affordable housing
available for vulnerable individuals. Officers explained that the service had
not seen an increase in numbers presenting, but the complexity of cases had
increased. In addition, this resulted in difficulty in accessing suitable and
affordable accommodation. Officers stated that some individuals with complex
needs were unable to manage their tenancy. In some instances, Gofal were able to provide support to individuals with
Mental Health needs. Officers added that the service was also looking at
recruiting a Mental Health Support Worker to assist with these cases. Assistance was also given to vulnerable
individuals to help manage their finances to prevent a problem with tenancies. Support is provided until the individual is confident
to manage their own finances. Members asked what health provision was available
to individuals with no fixed address. Officers informed the Committee there
were two General Practitioners available in the area who provided health
support. Members queried why there was still rough sleepers
if the introduction of the Housing Act 2014 had given more options for the
authority housing. Officers explained
the criteria was used fully to enable us to assist homeless
presentations but that in some instances
it was a life choice but support was still offered. Members queried the process that is in place for
emergency calls during non-working hours.
Officers explained that there was a 24 hour telephone duty service
provided by the Duty Team. Emergency Support
would be provided with a full assessment undertaken the following day. Funding has been received from Welsh
Government specifically to improve services for rough sleepers. As a result a night shelter has been opened 7
nights a week until the end of March.
This will be monitored to establish the need going forward. In addition,
during winter months the service provides winter provision for rough sleepers
from Bed and Breakfast accommodation to sleeping bags, hats and gloves
dependant on the preference of the person.
Third sector organisations also provide refreshments once a week. Members asked in relation to temporary
accommodation, would the tenants receive housing benefits immediately. Officers
explained an application form would be completed the day the tenant moved in
and the process would be exactly the same. Members queried whether there was any temporary
accommodation available outside the Neath area.
Officers explained that work was ongoing to develop a unit in Port
Talbot. Temporary accommodation was
available in Neath but when looking to move individuals to permanent
accommodation this would be in their home area. Members asked how do the individuals travel to
their allocated temporary accommodation if they are not in any of the town centres. Officers said that this would form part of
the assessment. Members asked what was the process for ensuring the safety of individuals being placed in temporary accommodation outside the Neath Port Talbot area. ... view the full minutes text for item 3. |
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Access to Meetings Minutes: Resolved: That pursuant to Section 100A (4) and
(5) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded for the following
items of business which involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as
defined in Paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the above Act. |
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Pre-Scrutiny Minutes: 5.1 The Regulated Service (Service Providers and Response
Individuals)(Wales) Regulations 2017. The Committee received information in relation to The
Regulated Service (Service Providers and Response Individuals) (Wales)
Regulations 2017, as contained within the private circulated report. Following scrutiny, it was agreed that the report
be noted. 5.2 The Manager’s Report on Hillside Secure
Children’s Home. The Committee received information in relation to The
Manager’s Report on Hillside Secure Children’s Home as contained within the
private circulated report. Discussion took place on the Responsible Individual role
within Hillside and the request made by CSIW as part of the Improvement Action
Plan to make Keri Warren, Head of Children’s Services the Responsible
Individual. This role was previously
undertaken by Andrew Jarrett as the Head of Children’s Services. Due to his
appointment to the Director of Social Services, Health and Housing and being
the Chair of the Safeguarding Board who have a responsibility for Hillside it
was felt inappropriate for him to continue being the Responsible Individual.
The Manager of Hillside is Alison Davies. Members requested clarity on the positions and personnel in
relation to Hillside. Officers informed the Committee of the relevant personnel
in the staff structure, the Principal Manager was Ali Davies, the registered
manager was Karen Wedmore and the Responsible Individual was Andrew Jarrett.
Officers confirmed this function would be taken over by Keri Warren under the
new regulations held in the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales)
Act 2016. Following scrutiny, it was agreed that the report
be noted. CHAIRPERSON |