Officer presented a report which sought Cabinet approval of a new policy (attached at Appendix 1) for the use of direct payments to meet people’s care and support needs, and support needs in the case of unpaid carers.

The Corporate Director Social Services and Early Help provided a summary of direct payments and the new policy as set out in appendix 1. She explained that this new policy enables the Council to respond directly to recommendations made by Audit Wales after its national review of direct payments (2022) provided under Appendix 2.

She added that this policy will be reviewed annually to take into account new legislation or guidance. A thorough review will also be undertaken every 3 years as part of good governance.

The Deputy Leader welcome the report and the new policy. She attended the meetings in March and took on board the comments made by residents and users of the policy. The Leader echoed these comments and stressed the importance of co writing the policy. He asked what work we were doing with the Health Board in order to address one of the recommendations made by Audit Wales.

The Corporate Director stated that there were a number of individuals who will have jointly funded packages of care provided to them and this was something the Local Authority could provide help with from the direct payments policy aspect. She added that there was also work being undertaken by Welsh Government to review the current health care policy for Wales and this would hopefully allow for direct payments to be made in a more streamlined way.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet considered and approved the new policy for direct payments attached as Appendix 1.