Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

The Chair confirmed that the committee would be scrutinising agenda items 7, 8, 10, 13, 14 and 15 from the Cabinet Board agenda.

Members requested a brief overview on agenda item 9.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

The Chair confirmed that the committee would be scrutinising agenda items 7, 8, 10, 13, 14 and 15 from the Cabinet Board agenda.

Members requested a brief overview on agenda item 9.

Cllr P Richards, Item 14 (Cabinet Board) – Personal, Board Member of Care & Repair

Cllr P Richards, Item 14 (Cabinet Board) – Personal, Board Member of Care & Repair

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 13 July 2023 were approved as a true and accurate record.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 13 July 2023 were approved as a true and accurate record.

Members agreed that the Social Services, Housing and Community Safety Scrutiny Committee note and endorse the annual Report 2022/2023 attached at Appendix 1 and commend to Council.

Members agreed that the Social Services, Housing and Community Safety Scrutiny Committee note and endorse the annual Report 2022/2023 attached at Appendix 1 and commend to Council.

The committee noted the report.

The Head of Housing and Communities gave an overview of the reports contained in the agenda pack which provided responses to questions raised by members at the previous Scrutiny Committee meeting. Appendix 1 provided an overview of work and progress and appendix 2 set out key data sets in relation to the demographic make-up of people presenting to housing options and temporary accommodation.

Following the production of the report, positive feedback has been received from the Welsh Government in relation to the Transitional Accommodation Capital Programme bid. An official response has not yet been received but, if successful, an additional £2 million pounds in capital funding would be available. This would enable registered social landlords to purchase properties in order to increase the amount of social housing available to the homeless. It is hoped that an additional 50 houses would be secured through the Capital Grant Programme.

Significant work has been carried out with homeless families with children. A working group is being set up to work with registered social landlords’ to target supporting families with children with the aim of moving families with children out of temporary accommodation. Currently there are 8 families with a total of 11 children in temporary B&B accommodation, this figure has decreased from 30 families.

Officers advised Members that the Community Safety Team have secured funding to continue the Young Person’s hangout project for the rest of the financial year.

The Chair thanked the officer for an excellent report and for the recent improvements in the service.

The committee noted the report.

To select appropriate items from the Cabinet Board agenda for Pre-Decision Scrutiny (Cabinet Board reports included for Scrutiny Members)

Healthy Relationships for Stronger Communities Strategy (Pages 11 - 88)

Following scrutiny, the recommendation was supported to Cabinet Board.

Commissioning of Care And Support Services For Three Supported Living Schemes (Pages 89 - 118)

Following scrutiny, the recommendation was supported to Cabinet Board.

Delegation under Local Government Legislation to Briton Ferry Town Council regarding the provision of a day service (Pages 119 - 132)

The recommendation was supported to Cabinet Board.

Children & Young People, Adult Services and Housing & Community Safety - 1st Quarter (April 2023- June 2023) Performance Report (Pages 133 - 196)

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

Healthy Relationships for Stronger Communities Strategy (Pages 11 - 88)

The Head of Housing and Communities gave an overview of the report attached to the Cabinet Agenda papers.

Members queried the 100 % favourable responses mentioned on page 50 of the report and enquired how many consultation responses were received. Officers confirmed that survivors from local services were consulted and invited to give feedback; 6 local survivors provided a response. Following the approval of the draft strategy, a two week period of public consultation was held in early May resulting in a further 18 responses from members of the public. Members requested that in future, this type of data be included in the committee report.

Members questioned whether the Neath Port Talbot and Welsh Government strategies were the same and if not what were the differences between the documents? Officers confirmed that the joint local strategy was prepared by the local authority and the health board and whilst it references the Welsh Government national strategy the objectives were similar but not identical. The joint strategy included a seventh objective on criminal justice, this was in recognition of information from local survivors that partners felt would be remiss not to include.

Members asked what further partnership work could be undertaken to identify changes needed to support victims during the evidence gathering process. It was noted that this type of cultural change takes time to implement. Officers recognised that there is much work needed around this objective. Some issues are broader than what can be carried out locally as they relate to national issues. Officers advised members that within the Community Safety Team there are 4 Independent Domestic Violence Advisors, co-located within the police station, who work closely with police colleagues at all levels. Local specialist providers, Thrive Women’s Aid, have received funding for a 5 year project called Rapid, more information will be shared in due course. Officers from Thrive will be based in the police station and they will accompany police colleagues to any domestic abuse related call, staff will act as an initial support mechanism, helping statements to be taken in the correct way. The local authority training programme includes training on responding to disclosures of domestic abuse and has been rolled out to all local authority staff; health and police colleagues are subject to the same training to promote a consistent approach. Due to the good will of the training officer this training has also been opened up to local magistrates with, to date, 29 local magistrates receiving domestic abuse training. It is believed that Neath Port Talbot is the only local authority to provide training to Magistrates. Within the area, there is a specialist domestic violence court, the Community Safety Team are looking at setting up a steering group to ensure work in this area is progressing effectively. Officers re-iterated, suggestions were welcomed from councillors and constituents in relation to improving domestic abuse services.

Members questioned how residents who were experiencing domestic abuse could contact the council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Members noted the committee action log.

Members noted the committee action log.

Members noted the Forward Work Programme.

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.

To select appropriate private items from the Cabinet Board agenda for Pre-Decision Scrutiny (Cabinet Board reports enclosed for Scrutiny Members)

Business Case For Establishing An In-House Adult Family Placement Service (Pages 203 - 300)

Following scrutiny, the recommendation was supported to Cabinet Board.

In-house delivery of Assistive Technology Installations, Maintenance and Removals (Pages 301 - 324)

Following scrutiny, the recommendation was supported to Cabinet Board.

Audit Report No. 13 - Hillside Secure Children's Home. (Pages 325 - 346)

The report was noted.

Business Case For Establishing An In-House Adult Family Placement Service (Pages 203 - 300)

Following scrutiny, the recommendation was supported to Cabinet Board.

In-house delivery of Assistive Technology Installations, Maintenance and Removals (Pages 301 - 324)

Following scrutiny, the recommendation was supported to Cabinet Board.

Audit Report No. 13 - Hillside Secure Children's Home. (Pages 325 - 346)

The report was noted.