Agenda and minutes

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Contact: Stacy Curran 01639 763194 Email: s.curran@npt.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

1.

Minutes of Previous Meetings pdf icon PDF 97 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

That the minutes of the previous meetings held on 10 January and 7 February 2019 be approved. Members asked in relation to 4.1 (10 January) if warden posts had been withdrawn from sheltered housing accommodation.    Officers to clarify and confirm would Members prior to the next meeting of the Scrutiny Committee.

2.

Forward Work Programme 2018/2019. pdf icon PDF 74 KB

Minutes:

The Committee noted the Forward Work Programme for 2018/19. 

 

Members noted that the date for the presentation of the Autism Strategy would be confirmed by Officers prior to the next meeting. 

3.

Pre-Scrutiny

Minutes:

The Committee scrutinised the following matters:

 

Cabinet Board Proposals

 

3.1    Revised Adult Services Assisted Transport Policy

 

          The Committee received an overview of the Revised Adult Services Assisted Transport Policy, as detailed in the circulated report.

 

          Discussion took place on the need for Policies to be written in a way that is clear and understandable by all, especially when they were subject to consultation.  Officers agreed that in future all policies for consultation would be accompanied by an easy read version and where appropriate to include case studies as examples.

 

          Confirmation was given that the proposed policy would affect existing and new service users. 

 

          Clarification was sought by Members that service users in receipt of mobility allowance would not be disadvantaged if they used the allowance to fund mobility transport aids rather than purchasing a car via the mobility scheme.  Officers agreed that the wording within the policy would be amended to allow for further explanation of criteria as not all recipients of mobility allowance would be prevented from receiving transport it would be dependent on the individual’s needs.

 

          The Committee asked what was the intention of revising the assisted transport policy was it to realise savings as part of the Forward Financial Plan.  Officers confirmed that the aim was not to achieve savings but to update the policy in line with the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.  It was possible that some savings would be generated but this was not the purpose of the update.

 

          Members queried whether, as part of the monitoring arrangements, comparative data be made available to ascertain the impact of the changes.  Officers explained that as part of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 at the point of any changes or on an annual basis care plans would be reviewed.

 

          Members asked that the post consultation report be brought back to the Social Care, Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee for consideration.

 

          It was queried why the Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) stated that there was no Workforce Impacts, if the Council was withdrawing transport for some service users, would it impact on the transport section?  Officers explained that it applied to external companies.

 

          Further queries were raised in regard to the EIA and why only two groups, age and disability were affected under protected characteristics.  Officers explained that this was the data collected by the Council but that this would be revised after the consultation period.

 

          Member asked why there was a positive impact on protected characteristics of these two groups by proposing they access transport via family/friends rather than transport being provided by the Council.  This would be a negative impact due to reducing independence.  Officers explained that the provision of transport would be based on individual need so there would be no negative impact.

 

          Following scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of the proposals to be considered by Cabinet Board, subject to the following proposals:

 

1.   That an easy read version be developed; to include case studies where appropriate;

 

2.   That the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

Access to Meetings to resolve to exclude the public for the following item(s) pursuant to Section 100A(4) and (5) of the Local Government Act 1972 and the relevant exempt paragraphs of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the above Act.