Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

It was confirmed that the committee would be scrutinising items 7, 8, 9, 10 and 15 from the Cabinet Board Agenda.

There were no declarations of interest received.

There were no declarations of interest received.

The minutes of the meeting held on 16^th November 2023 and 4^th January 2024 were approved as true and accurate records.

The minutes of the meeting held on 16th November 2023 and 4th January 2024 were approved as true and accurate records.

Members considered the report as circulated within the agenda pack.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

The Head of Adult Services gave a brief summary of the report contained within the agenda pack.

Members queried what input do patients have into the Discharge to Recover Assess process?

The Head of Adult Services confirmed that medically fit for discharge patients are assigned a pathway and social work assessment is undertaken with the individual and their family. It was noted that it is more beneficial to assess a patients needs from their own home rather than at hospital.

Members considered the report as circulated within the agenda pack.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

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

Directors Annual Report 2022-23

Members considered the report as circulated within the agenda pack.

Following scrutiny, the recommendation was supported to Cabinet Board.

Housing and Homelessness Strategic Plan

Members considered the report as circulated within the agenda pack.

Following scrutiny, the recommendation was supported to Cabinet Board.

Neath Port Talbot Children & Young People Social Care Strategic Plan 2023 – 2026

Members considered the report as circulated within the agenda pack.

Following scrutiny, the recommendation was supported to Cabinet Board.

Neath Port Talbot Adult Social Care Strategy 2023 – 2026#

Members considered the report as circulated within the agenda pack.

Following scrutiny, the recommendation was supported to Cabinet Board.

Directors Annual Report 2022-23

The Director of Social Services, Health & Housing confirmed the annual report was related to 2022/2023 and was not a reflection of the current position.

Members referred to page 45 of the report and asked for more information regarding testing targets in relation to substance misuse.

The Head of Housing and Communities confirmed that testing was carried out where there was a higher risk of blood borne viruses such as hepatitis and HIV. The target is in relation to offering people in contact with services, blood testing to test their wider health.

Members referred to page 35 of the report and asked if there was a progress update in relation to unpaid carers.

The Head of Adult Services advised members that one of the key themes in the current strategy is to provide more resource and support to unpaid carers. Grant money has enabled three Carer Champions to work within the network and work is ongoing to locate and support unpaid carers. It was noted that the quoted figure of 20k unpaid carers may be under reported.

Members considered the report as circulated within the agenda pack.

Following scrutiny, the recommendation was supported to Cabinet Board.

In relation to the following three agenda items, the Director of Social Services Health and Housing advised members that a previous undertaking had been given to report back to this committee the detail of the strategic intent for the next four to five years. The plans are in different stages of development. It has been necessary to report some aspects of the reports in private due to market sensitive information. 

Housing and Homelessness Strategic Plan

The Head of Housing and Communities provided an overview of the Housing and Homelessness Strategic Plan as contained within the agenda pack.

Members referred to Page 80 of the report and commented that working strategically with private landlords would be challenging in the current climate and questioned what is the strategy going forward in relation to working with private landlords?

The Head of Housing and Communities advised members that a Private Rental Sector Landlord forum, was taking place shortly. This forum will help to understand the challenges private landlords are facing, raise awareness of schemes that can support them in providing affordable rents and try to stimulate more affording housing in the private sector.

Members expressed concern in relation to difficulties experienced between developers and planning applications and stated further discussions were needed between Social Services and planning. There is a need to look closely at registered social landlords in relation to shared ownership.

The Head of Housing and Communities confirmed that the purpose of the action was to ensure that there is more joined up work. There is a need to consider communities as a whole and how the council can ensure developments and actions offer the most benefits.

Members were pleased to that Active Travel was contained in the strategy and commented that some residents are hesitant to move to valley communities due to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

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 303 - 372)

Members considered the report as circulated within the private agenda pack.

Following scrutiny, the recommendation was supported to Cabinet Board.

Business Case for Establishing an in-house Adult Family Placement Service (

Members considered the report as circulated within the private agenda pack.

Following scrutiny, the recommendation was supported to Cabinet Board.