Agenda and minutes

Members noted that they had previously requested that a definition of the word ‘frail’ be circulated to the Committee and this had not been received. Officers committed to circulating this to Members.

The Committee noted the minutes.

The Committee noted that several actions were outstanding on the Actions and Referrals register. Officers confirmed that all outstanding actions would be addressed and in future meetings a deadline date will be added to requests from the Committee.

Members requested that the Strategic Plan on 3^rd Sector Brokerage be added to the Forward Work Programme.

The Committee noted the Forward Work Programme.

Because of the need to deal now with the matter contained within Minute No 3 below, the Chairman agreed that this could be raised at today’s meeting as an urgent item pursuant to Section 100B (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

Reason:

Due to the time element.

3.      Urgent Joint Report of the Head of Children and Young People Services and Adult Social Services and the Head of Commissioning and Support Services on Social Services Health and Housing Proposed 2017/18 Performance Reporting Arrangements.  

          The Committee requested that this report be scheduled at a future meeting due to having insufficient time to consider it at today’s meeting.

The Committee scrutinised the following matters:

Cabinet Board Proposals

4.1    Directorate Strategic Priorities 2017-19

The Committee received a presentation on the Directorate Strategic Priorities 2017-19 as contained within the circulated PowerPoint Presentation. Officers commended the contents as an outline to a strategic plan which would be further populated if agreed to form the basis of the priorities going forward.

Members were pleased to note the ongoing discussions with other Heads of Service outside the Directorate and with partner organisations in relation to breaking down silos.

It was queried if one Principal Officer with responsibility for Safeguarding and Quality Assurance was sufficient. It was agreed that the remit is large but that the post is a strategic one subject to careful ongoing scrutiny and monitoring.

The Committee felt it was important that no target is attached to reducing the numbers of Looked After Children (LAC) as the wellbeing of the children within the care of the Authority is paramount. They were pleased to note that Officers confirmed that no target will be placed on reducing the numbers of LAC.

The challenges of working across Directorates in the Council were discussed and the importance of sharing lessons learnt and best practice.

Whilst praise was issued to the teams, concern was raised at the departure of the Director and the appointment of a new Director and the different ‘visions’ that could become apparent although the Committee were keen to see the ‘Asset Based’ Approach being taken forward.

Following scrutiny the Committee were supportive of the proposals included in the presentation.

4.2    Commissioning of a 24 Hour Call Monitoring Service for Assistive Technology Service

          The Committee received information in relation to entering into a 3 year agreement with Camarthenshire County Council for the provision of a Call Monitoring Service as contained within the circulated report.

          Members asked for further information in relation to the funding formula and were informed that it is the agreed Western Bay formula that is utilised.

          Following scrutiny the Committee were supportive of the proposals to be considered at Cabinet Board.

4.3    Homecare Service Inspection Report November 2017.

          The Committee received information in relation to the out-come of the CSSiW Inspection of the in house Homecare Service as contained within the circulated report.

          The Committee congratulated the staff for the positive outcome of the inspection.

          Members asked for further information in relation to the Medication Errors that had occurred. They were informed that a Regulation 26 report to CSSIW is made for any incident that happens in a service user’s home whilst staff are in attendance an example of which is medication error. The team are confident that high levels of vigilance and monitoring are in place. Internal audit had highlighted errors in medicine management such as pharmacy labelling and administrative mistakes such as not signing forms. The Committee were pleased to note that if an error occurs it is discussed and addressed with lessons learnt being shared and were also pleased to note that the margin of error in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.