Minutes:
The
Committee scrutinised the following matter:
Cabinet
Board Proposal
Draft Wellbeing Objectives
Prior
to consideration of the report before Members today, the Leader of Council gave
an introduction to the Draft Wellbeing Objectives and the proposal to issue the
report for public consultation.
The
Scrutiny Committee then received a comprehensive presentation by the Head of
Corporate Strategy and Democratic Services on the proposals contained within
the circulated report. Members of the
Scrutiny Committee then raised the following points:-
·
Members asked that the report refer to all 3 town centres (ie Neath, Port Talbot and Pontardawe)
throughout the text, in order to make the document more inclusive;
·
In relation to the timescales for improvement, as the document covered
the period 2017-2022, Members asked when
the proposed improvements contained in the circulated report would be realised. In addition some of the data related to 2016-17
and Members asked what was the current position? In addition Members asked
whether comparative data, including baseline information and benchmarking could
be included.
·
Members expressed their view that the Authority did not publicise its
achievements;
·
Concern was expressed that there was inconsistency throughout the
document with timescales and percentages.
The Chief Executive advised that, given the diversity of the areas
concerned it may not be possible for a consistent approach in all areas.
·
Members asked whether the consultation venues could include the Upper Afan and Amman Valleys?
Members were asked to liaise with Officers to include any additional
venues or events.
·
With regard to the WESP, Members asked for the current position and were
advised that the document was at present with the Welsh Government. In relation to the Welsh Language Strategy,
this would be considered by Members shortly.
Members also noted that in relation to the National Childcare
commitment, this was being rolled out at present;
·
Members questioned whether the objectives contained in the circulated
report were achievable, what were the consequences should the Authority fail
and where would any additional funding come from? In response the Chief Executive advised that
where there were no legal implications should the Authority not achieve the
objectives, but that there would be a need to prioritise its objectives.
·
In relation to the number of surplus school places, Members noted that
improvements had been achieved in Secondary schools however this had been more
difficult in the case of Primary schools. Members also requested an update on
the position regarding Band B proposals for the 21st Century Schools
Improvements and noted that the proposals were with the Welsh Government.
·
Members asked that the reference to the availability of quality
childcare include the word “affordable”.
·
Members asked for details of the number of children’s out of county
placements, and were advised that the Authority had 65 out of county placements
which were reviewed annually by the Education Psychology Team and also by
Estyn. This represented a small
percentage of the 20,000 children in the County Borough;
·
In relation to the out of county placements, Members asked who
maintained the statistics surrounding the child and were advised that the
receiving Authority would maintain the child’s record, and that this Authority
worked in partnershipto achieve the best outcome for
the child.
·
Members felt that the support provided to carers was very important, and
asked about the introduction of the Direct Payments Scheme. Members felt that this should not be the
default position and that service users be given the choice. The Director of
Social Services, Health and Housing advised that at present the take up of
Direct Payments was in the region of 16% and that he aimed to increase this to
40%. In order to mitigate the effects of
Delayed Transfers of Care on hospital admissions, Members were pleased to note
the work of the Rapid Response Team;
·
Members noted that the Authority had one of the lowest rates of crime
and disorder, and partnership working was seen as one of the catalysts. The Chief Executive supported this and the
good working relationships with, for example, the Police.
·
Members noted that during the last administration, there had been a Task
and Finish Group set up into Tourism.
This report would hopefully be taken into consideration going forward;
·
Members felt that it was necessary to improve internet connectivity
especially in the valley areas, in order to support businesses and to sustain
valley communities;
·
In relation to recycling and composting, although this was working
within the County Borough, Members felt that it should be made simpler as there
had been difficulties particularly during its roll out. Some residents were still encountering
problems.
·
Members also commented on the public transport issues and the need to
explore alternative methods such as community transport. This could be looked at through the Valley’s
Initiative or the Authority could explore the possible setting up of its own
bus company.
·
Concern was expressed that the City Deal Initiative left out the valley
areas and it was noted that it would be imperative that the Talk Valleys
initiative liaise with the City Deal to work in partnership.
The Chief
Executive advised Members that public engagement with the process was normally
poor and Members suggested that social media be used to improve this.
The Head of Corporate
Strategy and Democratic Services advised that the Draft Wellbeing Objectives
needed to be issued for consultation as soon as possible and that any “tidying
up” of the document would be carried during summer period prior to re
submission to Members, for adoption.
Members noted
that the Authority was held to account by the various bodies such as Estyn, CSSiW and the Wales Audit Office. The Head of Corporate Strategy and Democratic
Services also advised that additional duties and responsibilities had been
vested in the Authority under Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual
Violence and that mandatory training was being rolled out throughout the
Authority.
In relation to
the EIA attached to the report, this would be updated prior to the consideration
of the report in the autumn.
Following
scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of the recommendations before cabinet,
subject to the comments above.