Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Rooms A/B - Neath Civic Centre. View directions

Items
No. Item

1.

To receive the Scrutiny Forward Work Programme 2017/18. pdf icon PDF 75 KB

Minutes:

The Committee noted the forward work programme.

2.

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.