Agenda and minutes

That the minutes of the meetings held on the 16^th September 2021 and 9^th December 2021 be approved as a true and accurate record.

Members received an update in regard to the proposed changes that were being made by Swansea Bay University Health Board (UHB) to Older People Mental Health Services, as detailed with the circulated report.

Sian Harrop Griffiths and Stephen Jones were in attendance of the meeting following an invitation from the Scrutiny Committee in relation to the previous consultation on the proposed Changes. It was noted that the Committee had invited officers of the Health Board to attend to discuss the proposed changes as it was highlighted in a previous meeting that members were concerned that they had not been a part of the original consultation process and had numerous concerns that they wished to discuss with the relevant officers.

One of the main areas that members wished to query was in relation to the reduction of hospital beds at Tonna Hospital and the proposal for a centralised approach with the remaining beds at Ysbryd Y Coed. Concern was raised around the location and the difficulties around transportation. Following the committee’s correspondence and the low number of responses to the Public Engagement exercise the Health Board paused the exercise.

Following the concerns of the committee, they were informed that Ysbryd Y Coed was a purpose built facility to manage the complex needs and the environment within Tonna Hosiptal was not meeting the required standards. The officers understood the concerns around transport issues to and from Ysbryd Y Coed and confirmed that arrangements had been put in place to ensure that transport was available to carers and relatives. However there had been no take up of the service.

Following Scrutiny, the report was noted.

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:

Corporate Safeguarding Group Bi-Annual Report

Members were presented with the second bi-annual report of the Neath & Port Talbot (NPT) Corporate Safeguarding Group (CSG). The report sets out the work undertaken and to be undertaken by the group in respect of safeguarding activities across the County Borough, as detailed within the circulated report.

Members queried the term ‘PASM’, officers confirmed that it is a Professional Abuse Strategy Meeting.

Discussions took place around the increase in figures for MISPER. Officers clarified that the figures can fluctuate due to different reasons and all counts of young people leaving their home need to be counted as ‘missing’ even if it doesn’t technically seem to be a missing case.

Following scrutiny the report was noted.

West Glamorgan Carers Partnership Board Annual Report 2020-21

Members were provided with an update on the progress on the implementation of West Glamorgan Carers Partnership Board Annual Report 2020-21.

Gaynor Richards, Chris O’Mally, Joanna Hall Davies and Kelly Gillings were in attendance to present the Carers Report. Members were provided with an update and the progress of the Annual Report. Detailed within it is on the support provided to unpaid carers through the unprecedented times of the pandemic.

Members thanked the officers and carers that were in attendance of the meeting and welcomed GP accreditation element as detailed within the circulated report.

Following Scrutiny, the report was noted.

Disabled Facility Grants - Removal of Means Test for Small and Medium Grants

Members were provide with details of the proposed removal of the means test for small and medium sized Disabled Facility grants (DFG) as announced by the Welsh Government in March 2021. Discussions took place around the the implications of this and the conditions that can be put in place to control demand as detailed within the circulated report.

Members asked for clarity around the statement ‘Limit amount of applications to 1 year per year.” As detailed within report. It was noted that this was an error and should read ‘Limit amount of applications to one per year’.

Members queried what the course of action would take place in th event that a Disabled Facility Grant recipients financial circumstances significantly changed following the grant award. Officers confirmed that there would be discretionary powers to utilise to provide weaver grants to those that required it it if necessary.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

That The Forward Work Programme for 2021/22 be noted.