Venue: Committee Rooms A/B - Neath Civic Centre. View directions
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To receive the Scrutiny Forward Work Programme 2017/18. PDF 75 KB Minutes: The
Committee noted the forward work programme. |
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Pre-Scrutiny Minutes: The
Committee scrutinised the following matters: Cabinet
Board Proposals 2.1
Redesign of Management Arrangements Members
considered a report that sought support in principle for the proposed redesign of
management arrangements within the Social Services, Health and Housing
Directorate. Officers
advised that since the report was published there had been discussions that had
resulted in the need to remove the post of head of Adult Services from the Departmental
Structure if the proposals were accepted. Members
were advised that this was not a further restructuring but something far more
important and it was hoped would be in place by the end of the calendar year.
Officers further advised that the approach was on an asset based approach and
this would be the subject of an All Member seminar in the future. Members
asked for assurances that there will be systems in place that ensure the
appointed Head of Service can manage all services under their remit. Officers
stated that this proposal was a two way split with one Head of Service
responsible for the professional side and the other responsible for the support
side. Officers
continued that this was an opportunity to consolidate the business support
services because it was currently spread too thinly across the directorate. Members
raised concern in relation to the risk associated with the proposals and
officers confirmed that the proposals will ensure that there will be sufficient
time for officers to carry out all the required work. Officers stated that
there would not be any future reports that would request cutting staff numbers
nor increasing workloads. Members
asked whether the Council has looked at best practice elsewhere when developing
proposals. Officers confirmed that the Council regularly looks for best
practice and the Local Area Committee model had been taken from an initiative
in Australia. Members
asked whether the proposals have been fully costed. Officers stated that they
have and there are sufficient funds in place even if there was an unprecedented
increase in demand for services. Following
scrutiny the Committee was supportive of the proposals to be considered by the
Cabinet Board. 2.2
CSSIW Performance Review of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council Social
Services Members
considered the report that was the assessment by the Care and Social Services
Inspectorate Wales of the Council’s Social Services Functions. Members
were advised that the Senior Management Team of the Department met twice yearly
with inspectors to discuss policies, procedures and processes within Social
Services. Members
asked what inspections the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales had undertaken
in the past year. Officers stated that the inspectorate generally undertook
thematic inspections across Wales. Specific inspections were generally
undertaken within individuals Councils when the need arose. Members
asked for clarity in relation to the statement contained within the assessment
about Local Assembly Members opposition against some of the proposed changes.
Officers stated that this was generally with regards suggestions of setting up
social enterprises and that this was incorrectly seen as outsourcing. Following
scrutiny the report was noted. 2.3 Development ... view the full minutes text for item 2. |