Agenda and draft minutes

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on the 1^st April 2021, be approved subject to the following amendment:-

 

·        It was noted that the wording “Following scrutiny, the report was noted.” in item 6 of the minutes, titled ‘Update Report on Housing Options and Homelessness’ didn’t provide an accurate reflection of the discussion. It was noted that officers were asked to consider empty homes being brought into Council ownership with the possibility of refurbishment and utilised as housing for the homeless. Along with the introduction of a Housing Revenue Account for this purpose. Members agreed that this was an accurate reflection of the discussion and agreed to amend the wording to reflect this.

 

Officers highlighted that following the previous meeting, IT colleagues were rectifying the accessibility concerns relating to the consultations on the Neath Port Talbot Website. It was also highlighted, that 10 training places had been secured for Officers to gain further knowledge on Easy read documents. Members noted this update.

 

To select appropriate items from the Cabinet Board agenda for Pre-Decision Scrutiny (Cabinet Board reports included for Scrutiny Members)

The committee chose to scrutinise the following cabinet board items:

 

Residential and Non-Residential Care Charging Policy

 

Following a request from the Director of Social Services, Health and Housing, it was agreed that this item be removed from consideration at today’s meeting, in order to align the policy more closely to legislation and be brought back to a future meeting.

 

Regional Co-Production Pack For The Regional Partnership

 

Members were presented with an update on the Regional Co-Production Pack for the Regional Partnership, which consisted of a Co- Production Framework, Co-production Toolkit and Co-production Charter as detailed within the circulated report.

 

The Director of NPT CVS Gaynor Richards, Mark Davies a Citizen of Neath Port Talbot and Kelly Gillings the West Glamorgan Regional Transformation Programme Director were in attendance to present the report along with the Director of Social Services Health and Housing.

 

Following the introduction, the Cabinet Member for Adult Services and Health commended the document.

 

Scrutiny Members queried what visible difference would there be following the implementation of the framework. Officers highlighted that following the growth of this framework scrutiny would have insight of the plans and strategies going forward with a wider view of planning from members of the public, service users and families.

 

Members queried the number of citizens involved within the group as there were a low number of followers on the social media platform. It was noted that following the pandemic the numbers hadn’t increased dramatically, however with further engagement going forward this would hopefully increase the following.

 

Throughout the discussion it was made clear of the importance of having a number of citizens involved within the group to ensure a wide variety of views were to be considered.

 

Discussions also took place around the involvement of Community Health Councils going forward.

 

Members raised concern around the gap that was currently in our regional governance arrangements as detailed within the report. Officers highlighted that this gap is currently being worked on. It was in relation to the evaluation process and ensuring that evaluations were done co-productively and not as separate organisations. 

 

An open invite was offered to members to attend a co-production group for further information if required.

 

Discussions took place around the reporting structure of the strategy going forward. It was noted that a report would be brought back in 6 months to provide a further update on the progress of this framework. Further reports will be provided to the committee as and when required.

 

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

 

 

Welsh Government Housing Capital Grant Programme

 

Members were advised of the Welsh Government Housing Capital

Grant Programme Development Plan Outturn for 2019/20 and

2020/21. Along with the planned expenditure programmed for the years 2021/22-2024/25, as detailed within the circulated report.

 

Members queried the County Flats. Officers confirmed that they are the Tai Tarian Development called County Flats. 

 

Discussions took place around the monitoring of the Renovations. It was noted that the renovations are done by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

Members noted the Forward Work Programme and were informed that a Forward Work Programme session had been arranged for 27^th May, 2021, to discuss and populate further items for the 2021/22 cycle.

 

The Social Care Health and Wellbeing Cabinet Board Forward Work Programme was noted.