Agenda item

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

The committee chose to scrutinise the following cabinet board items:

West Glamorgan Safeguarding Annual Report 2020-21

Members were presented with the West Glamorgan Safeguarding Boards’ Annual Report 2020-2021, as detailed within the circulated report.

Members commended the enthusiasm that the young people have shown in shaping their plans and showing engagement across all areas.

Discussions took place around the statement detailed within the report around obtaining a clear picture of the spread of covid-19. Members asked when these priorities were set and what was done with the data once collected. Officers explained that following the pandemic the plan changed overnight to ensure that safeguarding was being adhered to. It was important that we understood how the virus spread to see how we could try to reduce cases. It was noted that data was difficult to collate at the time due to workloads during the unprecedented time.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

West Glamorgan Safeguarding Boards Joint Annual Plan 2021/2022

To present the West Glamorgan Safeguarding Boards Joint Annual Plan 2021/22 for approval, as detailed in the circulated report.

It was noted that the previous ‘Education, leisure and Lifelong Learning Director - Aled Evans’ was detailed within the document. It was noted that this was written during Aled Evans being in post and the report was therefore correct.

Following scrutiny, the committee was supportive of the proposals to be considered by cabinet board.

Health Board Proposals to Change Older People Mental Health Services

Members were informed of the proposed changes that were being made by Swansea Bay University Health Board (UHB) to Older People Mental Health Services.

Members shared their concerns in relation to the timing of the conclusion of the Consultation on the proposals to change older people mental Health Services. Members felt that they should have been considered and invited to participate within the consultation and not been notified of the proposals following the conclusion of the consultation.

Members asked the following questions on the understanding that the relevant officers may not have a response and the questions would need to be put to the Health Board:

·        It was discussed that within the report it mentions that there was a lack of confidence from Commission Colleagues in the Local Authority that Care Homes could be a replacement for hospital care. It was noted that Officers had included this concern within their response to the Health Board and Members may wish to also raise this with the Health Board.

·        Members asked that evidence be provided on the investment in to Community Services.

·        Costings were discussed around the 24 hour care that would be required in care homes for those historically submitted as detailed within the report. It was noted that Officers had included this concern within their response and members may wish to also raise this with the Health Board.

·        Discussions took place around the potential development of mental health concerns who is already a resident of a nursing home. What would be the result and replacement following the reduction of beds in Tonna?

·        Members aired the concern around the centralisation of services in Swansea, creating further distance from the valleys.

·        Members asked that Cross-boundary co-operation be considered.

Following the discussion Members proposed and agreed that the Chair write a letter to the Health Board on Behalf of the Committee, sharing their concerns around the proposals to change older people mental health services. Along with inviting the Health Board to a future meeting to discuss these proposals and give them an opportunity to respond to the questions that had been raised at today’s meeting.

Following, scrutiny the Committee noted the report subject to the agreed proposal above.