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.

·       13^th March 2025

The minutes of the meeting held on 13^th March 2025 were approved as an accurate record of proceedings.

The minutes of the meeting held on 13^th March 2025 were approved as an accurate record of proceedings.

Members considered items from the Cabinet Forward Work Programme.

Members considered items from the Cabinet Forward Work Programme.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

The Head of Housing and Communities provided a brief summary of the report contained within the agenda pack.

Officers provided a presentation on some of the key points from the report and progress made to date.

The Chair extended congratulations to staff for an excellent report and for the work that is being undertaken in this area.

Members inquired about the measures in place to ensure that partners are fulfilling their commitments and that the data provided is accurate.

The Head of Service advised members that the commissioned services in respect of domestic abuse are predominantly funded by housing support grants. The Commissioning team undertake work to monitor services, impacts and outcomes.

Members expressed satisfaction that there would be more focus on perpetrators going forward, and requested that the impacts of work in this area be considered as a future item in the Forward Work Programme.

Members noted that a dedicated male refuge was available and enquired what was the position for transgender people.

The Head of Service confirmed that a variety of services are commissioned directly, including floating support. The support provided is tailored to the assessed needs of each individual. It was noted that individuals are allocated provisions through a national helpline, where they are assessed and provided with a place of safety appropriate to their needs. The Equalities and Human Rights Commission are drafting guidance in respect of the implications of the recent Supreme Court ruling.

Members inquired about the extent of engagement with survivor groups to ensure that the strategy effectively addresses the needs of those it aims to support.

Officers informed members that the strategy launched in 2023 included a public consultation involving leadership groups, third sector providers, and high-risk victims from the Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) service. Feedback from survivors was instrumental in shaping services, providing valuable insights into gaps and areas for improvement. Continuous survivor involvement is maintained through various aspects of the work, such as communication and engagement groups. This approach helps shape future actions for all involved parties, including health, police, and service providers. While survivor involvement is essential, sharing personal stories in group settings can be challenging. Welsh Women's Aid supports the integration of survivor feedback into the strategy, which will be revised in the coming years using the same consultation process.

Members enquired whether plans to dim lights in the county borough align with the aims of the strategy.

The Head of Housing and Communities informed members that the lead officer for the lighting pilot project had engaged with Community Safety and partners to discuss the proposals. Prior to initiating the pilot they engaged with the VAWDSAV Leadership Group, Community Safety Partnership Board and Thrive Women’s Aid. A list of areas included in the pilot was provided to cross-check street names against the database, ensuring no high-risk individuals or victims resided there. Incident data is collected and incorporated into evaluations. Upon the pilot's conclusion, the lead officer will present an overview of the results to the Violence Against  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4a

There are no Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme items for consideration

There were no Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme items for consideration.

There were no Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme items for consideration.

Members considered performance monitoring items.

Members considered performance monitoring items.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

Members commented on the detailed and straightforward report but requested a standard font be used for future reports.

Members referred to page eighty of the report and queried if benchmarking data was available.

Officers advised members that benchmarking data with other authorities was not available. The ombudsman reports on complaints as a Council but this is not drilled down to social services. However, anecdotally, from liaising with colleagues across the region, Neath Port Talbot figures are relatively low. It was noted that representations are dealt with quickly and there is an opportunity to deal with complaints before they progress to the formal stage.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

Measure 1 – Percentage of households Successfully Prevented from Becoming Homeless

Members questioned the reason why the figures decreased at the start of 2024.

The Head of Housing and Communities reported an increase in the number of people prevented from becoming homeless over the past year. Local authorities have a statutory duty to help prevent homelessness within 56 days of a person becoming homeless. Due to a team restructure and new legislation requiring landlords to give six months' notice, authorities are now intervening earlier, preventing homelessness before a statutory duty is owed. This proactive approach has led to more effective prevention of homelessness.

Officers confirmed that there is a focus on early intervention work. A report was being developed and will be brought back to committee at a later date.

Measure 6 – Number of Children on the Child Protection Register

Measure 8 – Number of Re-registrations on the Child Protection Register

Members were concerned at the increase in emotional abuse; the data will assist members in monitoring this going forward.

Members asked for further information in relation to the decrease for January to March 2023. With reference to the table on page 104 of the report, there was one re registration on the child protection register for the same time period. Members enquired if the number of children on the child protection register were all new to social services.

The Director of Social Services, Health & Housing advised members that the children would not be new to Social Services, but they might be new on the child protection register.

Officers clarified that the re-registration data reflects those children that have previously been on the child protection register and have then had another period of registration.

Measure 2 - Average Number of Days to Deliver a Disabled Facilities Grant from First Point of Contact to Certification

Members asked for clarity concerning the term ‘first point of contact’.

Officers confirmed that the first point of contact was the point at which a member of the public contacted the authority.

Members commented that the figures had improved; previously there had been a three-year waiting list.

Members enquired if a priority system was in place for the most urgent cases.

Officers confirmed that the Occupational Therapists assessed cases and advised officers of priority need, and those cases took precedence. It was noted that many cases will be in a fairly urgent position. The Means Test has been brought back in and this should reduce the waiting list demand over the next twelve to eighteen months.

Measure 3 - Commissioning: The Number of Hours of External Domiciliary Care (18 +)

Members asked for more information in relation to the rise in the number of hours of external domiciliary care.

The Head of Adult Services confirmed that an in-house service is being used to right-size care packages before transferring people to the external market. The new re-ablement offer at Trem Y Glyn will soon be operational. As a result, the number of hours of domiciliary  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6b

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 item 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.

Members considered the private performance monitoring items.

Members considered the private performance monitoring items.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.