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.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

No Cabinet Forward Work Programme items to be considered.

There were no Cabinet Forward Work Programme items for consideration.

There were no Cabinet Forward Work Programme items for consideration.

Members considered items from the Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

The West Glamorgan Regional Transformation Programme Director presented the work of the West Glamorgan Regional Partnership Board; membership of the board includes Neath Port Talbot and Swansea Councils, Swansea Bay University Health Board, and third sector partners. Formed in 2016 under the Social Services and Well-being Act Part 9 guidance, the Western Bay Regional Partnership Board initially included Bridgend Council. However, following health board boundary changes in 2019, the region was renamed West Glamorgan.

New governance arrangements were established in 2019, with Directors and Service Heads collaborating on future operations. Annually, a five-year area plan is developed based on the population needs assessment which is conducted every five years. One year after the assessment, a strategic area plan addressing regional priorities and population-specific issues is created. The current area and action plan, approved on January 25, 2023, covers 2023 to 2027.

The Partnership Board reports to the local Cabinet of the health board and local authorities, any changes to service delivery is presented to these local cabinets. The board has a diverse membership and continues to expand as mandated by Welsh Government, with additional co-opted members as needed.

There are three steering advisory boards, each with distinct programmes:

1.Steering and Advisory Board 1

• Communities and Older Persons Programme Board: aims to reduce hospital discharge delays and prevent escalation into managed care services.

• Carers Partnership: Supports unpaid carers with a collaboratively developed strategy and priority work plan.

• Dementia Programme: Engages the community, including a listening campaign in Baglan, to inform a strategy for West Glamorgan.

2.Steering and Advisory Board 2

• Well-being and Learning Disability Programme Board: collaborates with individuals with disabilities to develop a Well-Being Strategy.

• Mental Health and Well-being Board: Focuses on preventing emotional well-being issues and enabling people to stay well at home.

• Regional Commissioning Programme: Assesses market stability reports and the capacity of managed care services, including residential placements for older adults. This new programme is currently defining its terms of reference and priorities.

3. Steering and Advisory Board 3

• Children and Young People Programme Board: Supports children with complex needs to remain at home and avoid escalation into care.

• Neurodiverse Programme: Develops a strategy to support individuals with neurodiversity, aiming to reduce waiting lists and unnecessary diagnoses, and to help people to live their best lives in the community. This initiative involves extensive co-production and communication efforts.

Further details on these strategies will be available once finalised.

There are several supporting programmes underpinned by a large capital programme, which facilitates other initiatives. Currently, the digital and data transformation initiative is on hold due to the Welsh Government's new Connecting Care programme. Additionally, Mosaic has been launched in Neath Port Talbot and will be adopted across the region, allowing for more effective data sharing.

In relation to workforce initiatives, significant work is underway under the Social Care Workforce Development Programme (SCWDP), collaboration is ongoing with the training department to ensure the SCWDP programme's workforce connections support the regional projects.

A  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4a

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

The Director of Social Services, Health and Housing, advised members that it was important that they were aware of the current status of the directorate’s transformation programmes. The programmes are key in transforming services to be fit for purpose in the future

Children and Young People Services

The Head of Children and Young People Services and officers provided a presentation of the transformation projects, as contained within the agenda pack.

Members commented that some parents whose children have moved into care or supported living facilities can suffer with anxiety, but when carers are engaged in communities there can be positive outcomes for all parties. Members enquired whether officers had any views on this and whether going forward the local authority needed any additional provisions in this field?

The Head of Children and Young People Services confirmed that simple changes can have an impact. Good social work is vital, by retaining lighter touches, issues can be identified quickly and often prevents further escalation.

Officers advised members that the Participation and Engagement Officer runs groups locally with young people. There is a focus on engagement with children, young people and their wider families. The support services offered early offers of help, through to looking for foster carers who can support local children to live locally. A piece of work is being undertaken in relation to Corporate Parenting and a Corporate Parenting Charter has been signed with a focus on what it means for the authority and for partners.

Adult Services

The Head of Adult Services provided a presentation on the transformation projects, as contained within the agenda pack.

The Chair thanked officers for their work and commented that it was a large piece of work which affects many residents in the community.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services and Health thanked staff for their work and the progress made in the transformation programme.

Housing and Communities

Officers provided a presentation of the Housing and Communities transformation projects, as contained within the agenda pack.

The Chair thanked staff for their work in often challenging circumstances.

Members asked for more information in relation to flipping tenancies.

Officers confirmed that tenancy flipping is a new piece of work in Wales. In Scotland, post Covid, local authorities flipped people in temporary accommodation into permanent contracts. In Neath Port Talbot, a measured approach is being taken towards tenancy flips, the focus is on balancing the need for appropriate temporary accommodation, especially for families, without depleting secure housing stock. A simple 7-stage process guide has been drafted to avoid overcomplication. The aim is to make this a standard procedure and policy in collaboration with registered social landlords. The process, if used correctly, is seen as positive and can take up to six months.

Members questioned whether mapping information was available in relation to areas where residents want to live. It was noted that residents may prefer to be rehomed in a different area, but this can cause additional issues if people do not settle. Members also enquired  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4b

No Performance Monitoring items for consideration.

There were no performance monitoring items for consideration.

There were no performance monitoring items for consideration.

·       Cabinet Forward Work Programme

·       Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme

Members noted the Forward Work Programme.

Officers advised members of changes that had been made to the Cabinet and Scrutiny Forward Work Programmes, and members were given the opportunity to select items for consideration at scrutiny committee.

• Safeguarding Board Annual Plan has been added to the Cabinet Forward Work Programme for 21st May 2025.

• The Permission to Tender Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse, Sexual Violence, Emergency Accommodation has been removed from the Cabinet Forward Work Programme for the 30th of April and will now be considered by Cabinet in the new civic year.

• With the agreement of the Chair, The Youth Justice Plan report has been removed from the scrutiny committee Forward Work Programme and will be considered in the new civic year.

A Forward Work Programme planning session will be held early in the new civic year, members will be advised of the date when arranged.

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