Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

Social Services, Housing and Community Safety Scrutiny Committee - Thursday, 18th April, 2024 10.00 am

Venue: Multi-Location Meeting - Council Chamber, Port Talbot & Microsoft Teams

Contact: Alison Thomas Email: a.thomas6@npt.gov.uk

Items
No.	Item
1.	Chair's Announcements Decision: The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. Minutes: The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2.	Declarations of Interest Decision: Cllr H.C.Clarke – Item 13, Personal – Friend works for organisation identified in report. Cllr. S. Freeguard – Item 12, Personal – Sits on Board of organisation identified in report. Minutes: Cllr H.C.Clarke – Item 13, Personal – Friend works for organisation identified in report. Cllr. S. Freeguard – Item 12, Personal – Sits on Board of organisation identified in report.
3.	Minutes of Previous Meeting PDF 271 KB · 2 February 2024 Decision: The minutes of the meeting held on 2 February 2024 were approved as a true and accurate record. Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 2 February 2024 were approved as a true and accurate record.
4.	Pre-Decision Scrutiny To select appropriate items from the Cabinet Board agenda for Pre-Decision Scrutiny (Cabinet Board reports included for Scrutiny Members) Decision: Engagement & Participation Annual Report Following scrutiny, the report was noted. Annual Complaints Report Following scrutiny, the report was noted. Policy on Rent and Service Charge Arrears Prevention and Recovery Following scrutiny, the recommendation was supported to Cabinet Board. Grant Arrangements for the Provision of Warm and Welcoming Spaces SPF Sustainable Communities Grant Funding Following scrutiny, the recommendation was supported to Cabinet Board. Minutes: Engagement & Participation Annual Report Members considered the report as circulated within the agenda pack. The Director of Social Services advised that this item pertains to Children’s Services. Reports relating to Adult Services and Housing will be brought to a future meeting. Members referred to the report which outlined a meeting had been held with landlords. Members queried how many private landlords attended the meeting. Further, how many private landlords there are in NPT and if members could have a list of landlords so that the member can research how many private rental houses there are available in comparison to housing association properties. Officers confirmed that the meeting was attended only by private landlords. The forum was held to provide information, support and advice to landlords around things that may be of relevance to the landlords. It is intended to hold these forums every quarter. Officers advised that they would be unable to provide a list of all private landlords in the area and could not confirm how many private properties there are in Neath Port Talbot. However, this information may be held by Environmental Health. The Chair advised that Rent Smart Wales holds a lot of information with regards to the private rentals available within specific wards. The Chair also asked officers to let the committee know of any future forums/events that committee members are able to attend, as they provide a lot of useful information to members. Following scrutiny, the report was noted. Annual Complaints Report Members considered the report as circulated within the agenda pack. Members asked for clarification on page 40. It was noted that all complaints were resolved at stage 1, however members queried if any complaints progress to further stages. The report also outlines complaints that were partially upheld, members queried if there were any appeals. Officers confirmed that there would have been a number of complaints which progressed to the next stage. Officers outlined the various stages of the complaints process. Stage 1 is an investigation by internal officers. Stage 2 is an investigation by external officers and Stage 3 is a referral to the Ombudsman. Members advised that it would be useful to have the various numbers of complaints at different stages outlined within the report. The Director advised that he would obtain that information for members. Members referred to page 42 of the report and the corporate complaints procedure. Members queried if there were any complaints which fell into this procedure that were related to Social Services. Officers advised that this information it sent to officers weekly and is available. Corporate complaints tend to straddle more than one directorate. Officers advised that they would circulate the information relating to complaints which were considered via the corporate complaints process. Following scrutiny, the report was noted. Policy on Rent and Service Charge Arrears Prevention and Recovery Members considered the report as circulated within the agenda pack. The policy sets out a process that officers would undertake to prevent people, living in temporary accommodation, accruing ... view the full minutes text for item 4.
5.	Urgent Items Any urgent items at the discretion of the Chairperson pursuant to Section 100BA(6)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended). Decision: There were no urgent items. Minutes: There were no urgent items.
6.	Access to meetings 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. Decision: 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. Minutes: 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.
7.	Pre-Decision Scrutiny of Private Item/s To select appropriate private items from the Cabinet Board agenda for Pre-Decision Scrutiny (Cabinet Board reports enclosed for Scrutiny Members) Decision: Contractual Arrangements for Third Sector and Non-Regulatory Services funded by Social Services, Health and Housing Following scrutiny, the report was noted. 2024/25 Contractual Arrangements for a Range of Services Funded Through the Housing Support Grant Following scrutiny, the report was noted. Minutes: Contractual Arrangements for Third Sector and Non-Regulatory Services funded by Social Services, Health and Housing Members considered the report as circulated within the agenda pack. Following scrutiny, the report was noted. 2024/25 Contractual Arrangements for a Range of Services Funded Through the Housing Support Grant Members considered the report as circualted within the agenda pack. Following scrutiny, the report was noted.