Agenda and draft minutes
Venue: Via Microsoft Teams
Contact: Stacy Curran 01639 763194 Email: s.curran@npt.gov.uk
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Chairs Announcements Minutes: Following
the recent news of the Skewen Flooding, Members
commended the officers for their urgent response and support to the scene. |
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Declarations of Interest Minutes: The
following member made a declaration of interest at the start of the meeting: Councillor C. Galsworthy Re: Consultation on 2021/22 Budget
Proposals, as she is in receipt of Direct Payments for a family member |
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Minutes of Previous Meeting PDF 64 KB Minutes: That
the minutes of the previous meeting held on the 3rd December 2020, be approved. |
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Verbal Update on the Impacts Covid-19 has had on Social Services PDF 138 KB Additional documents: Minutes: Members
received a power point presentation which was circulated at the meeting, in
relation to updates on the impacts of Covid-19 within Adult and Children’s
Services. Discussions
took place in relation to the number of vaccinations that had taken place within
care homes, along with the safe process of the transfer of residents due to the
Skewen Flooding, during the pandemic. Officers
highlighted that all of the residents within Neath Port Talbot Care Homes have
been vaccinated. Members were reassured that it was a smooth and well organised
transfer. Officers
reassured members that the wellbeing of employees was a priority and that they
are ensuring that employees take annual leave when required to prevent them
from feeling overloaded with pressure. Officers also highlighted to members
that the impacts of long covid-19 was also being considered and that this would
also be an element where employees would need to be provided with support. Members
noted that it was likely that there may be less demand for residential care
going forward and a higher demand for more care in the Community. The
Adult and Children’s Services Cabinet Members commended the Officers for their
work and support during these unprecedented times. The
Cabinet Member for Finance highlighted to members that Welsh Government had
provided further funding for the Hardship Fund of 6.5 Million. The
Chair asked Members to forward any further questions to the Scrutiny Officer in
relation to the update on the Impacts Covid-19 has had on Adult and Children’s
Services, as detailed within the circulated presentation. Following
Scrutiny, the report was noted. |
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Consultation on 2021/22 Budget Proposals PDF 108 KB Minutes: An
overview was received on the Social Services, Health and Housing draft budget
proposals 2021/2022. It
was highlighted, that the proposals included within the report were a small
number of saving strategies which had already been scrutinised, consulted on
and were approved by Council on 6th March
2020. Members
were also provided with information on the budget pressures to the service,
along with the savings, cuts and income generation opportunities which are
detailed within the circulated report. The
Impacts of Covid-19 on the budget were discussed and members therefore asked
officers for reassurance on the predictions that they had produced for the
upcoming budget and for clarity on whether any contingencies had been put in
place in preparation for any unpredicted increase in budget. Officers reassured
members that they had taken a reasonable view across the council and have
provided a realistic view over the next year. Following
a query, officers clarified that the £135,000 figure detailed within the report
was a council wide income generation, not just from the Social Services
Department. Discussions
took place around the Building Safe and Resilient Communities project that was
taking place. Officers informed members that due to the pressures following
Covid-19 a decision was made to halt that project. A safe and well service was
set up to provide support to those that were vulnerable. Members
queried whether the predicted figure of £400,000 for Homelessness was going to
be adequate during these times. Members asked whether Officers had considered
contingency plans and used the Skewen Flooding as an
example of unpredicted circumstances. Officers informed members that there had
been further funding from Welsh Government of 1.5 mil which reduced the
predicted figure to £400,000. It was noted that a report would be brought to a
future committee providing further detail on Homelessness. Following
a discussion relating to an income generation suggestion from scrutiny members
relating to a bus service for organisations and communities. The Director of
Social Services, Health and Housing and the Cabinet Member for Finance
confirmed that they would consider this suggestion following a scoping exercise
and at a meeting of the Income Generation panel. Following
Scrutiny of the budget details contained within the report, Members were
reminded that their comments from this meeting would form part of the formal
consultation response for the budget 2021/22. They were asked that if they had
any other proposals for budget savings, not included within the attached
report, that they approach Officers for their consideration. |
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Forward Work Programme 2020/21 PDF 77 KB Minutes: The
Forward Work Programme was noted. |
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Access to Meetings Access
to Meetings to resolve to exclude the public for the following item(s) pursuant
to Section 100A(4) and (5) of the Local Government Act
1972 and the relevant exempt paragraphs of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the above
Act. Minutes:
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Pre-Decision Scrutiny of Private Item/s To
select appropriate private items from the Cabinet Board agenda for Pre-Decision
Scrutiny (Cabinet Board reports enclosed for Scrutiny Members) Minutes: The
committee chose to scrutinise the following private cabinet board items: Vacant
Property Surplus to Requirements Members
received information in a request in declaring a vacant property surplus, as
detailed within the private circulated report. Following
scrutiny, the committee was supportive of the proposals to be considered by
cabinet board. |