Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest received.

There were no declarations of interest received.

Members considered items from the Cabinet Forward Work Programme.

Members considered items from the Cabinet Forward Work Programme.

Following scrutiny, members supported the recommendation outlined in the draft Cabinet report.

The Director of Social Services, Health & Housing, provided a brief overview of the report contained within the agenda pack. Members were informed that feedback from the Scrutiny Committee would be relayed to full council. The report highlighted some of the good work that had been undertaken as well as the challenges faced by services in times of increased level and complexities of demand. The Director acknowledged the substantial investment from the council and expressed gratitude for the ongoing support from the members. The Director commented on the need for revising the funding formula to better support long-term health and social care.

Members thanked the director for the comprehensive report but remarked on the use of acronyms within the report.

Members commented on the use of percentages on page 79 of the report. Members requested both figures and percentages be included in future reports.

The Director acknowledged that this has been raised by members previously and apologised for this omission. Members were assured that future reports would include figures and percentages.

The Director thanked members for highlighting the use of acronyms within the report; members were assured that the use of acronyms would be considered in future to ensure reports were written in plain, easily understood language.

Following scrutiny, members supported the recommendation outlined in the draft Cabinet report.

Members considered items from the Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme.

Members considered items from the Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

The Head of Housing and Communities provided an overview of the report contained within the agenda pack.

Members questioned whether the housing support grant could only be used to commission services or whether it could be used to purchase properties directly.

The Head of Service clarified that the grant is revenue-based, and cannot be used as capital for property purchases. The grant is service led and is used to commission services but also to fund a number of internal services.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

Members considered performance monitoring items.

Members considered performance monitoring items.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

The Head of Adult Services provided an overview of the report contained within the agenda pack. The Head of Service referenced the action plan contained at appendix one of the report and noted that most of the tasks have either been implemented or were on track.

Members welcomed the information and asked for a progress update on collaborative working with health services, including GP, hospitals and pharmacies.

Officers confirmed that work has been undertaken with the primary care clusters which included GP’s, pharmacies, optometrists and dentists. Currently a pilot is being undertaken in the Pontardawe area to roll out carers training to all pharmacies; explaining carers rights and what support services are available across Neath Port Talbot for carers of all ages. Work is ongoing with the health board to support GP’s to be able to identify carers and signpost to appropriate services. Additionally, work is ongoing around identification of carers in the hospital and how they can be supported for patient discharge.

Members questioned the training uptake level for GP’s and pharmacies.

Officers confirmed that the training uptake had been significant. The training has been delivered in partnership with Neath Port Talbot Carers Service, Council for Voluntary Services (CVS), the Youth Service and with some carers. Training has been delivered during GP training sessions. Pharmacies have engaged well with the training and are looking at ways in which they can streamline and record where carers are based in order to enhance support.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

This item was deferred.

By agreement of the committee this item was deferred until the next meeting. Members requested this information is presented to committee either six monthly or annually.

This item was deferred.

Members noted the Forward Work Programme.

Officers advised members of changes that had been made, with the agreement of the Chair, to the Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme; members were given the opportunity to request further items for consideration.

The following reports will be considered at future meetings:

13th March 2025

•         Area Planning Board Annual Report for 2023/24

•         Update report in relation to the Single Point of Contact Service for Adult Services.

•         Corporate Plan Performance Monitoring – Q3

1st May 2025

•         Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Annual Report

Members were advised that the following reports had been added to the Cabinet Forward Work Programme for 12th March:

•         Purchase of Emergency Accommodation to Elevate Homelessness

•         Quality Assurance within Commission Social Care Services.

Due to the limited timescale, there will not be an opportunity for members to select these items for pre-decision scrutiny. Members will be notified when the reports are published and were reminded that the committee can select an item for post decision scrutiny or have the option to call in the Cabinet decision, should they wish.

Members were advised that a list of suggested performance data reports will be circulated, prior to scheduling into the forward work programme. Members were asked to advise the Chair should they wish to suggest additional performance related reports.

Members noted the Forward Work Programme.

Any urgent items at the discretion of the Chairperson pursuant to Section 100BA(6)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

There were no urgent items.

There were no urgent items.

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.

Resolved: 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.

Resolved: 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.

Members considered the private item from the Cabinet Forward Work Programme.

Members considered the private items from the Cabinet Forward Work Programme.

Following scrutiny, members supported the recommendation outlined in the draft Cabinet report.

Following scrutiny, members supported the recommendation outlined in the draft Cabinet report.

Following scrutiny, members did not support the recommendation outlined in the draft Cabinet report.

Following scrutiny, members did not support the recommendation outlined in the draft Cabinet report.

Following scrutiny, members supported the recommendation outlined in the draft Cabinet report.

Following scrutiny, members supported the recommendation outlined in the draft Cabinet report.

Following scrutiny, members supported the recommendation outlined in the draft Cabinet report.

Following scrutiny, members supported the recommendation outlined in the draft Cabinet report.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.