To receive apologies for absence from Members.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor M Butcher.

To receive declarations of personal and prejudicial interest (if any) from Members/Officers in accordance with the provisions of the Members Code of Conduct adopted by Council from 1 September 2008 (including Whipping Declarations)

The following Declaration of Interest was made:

Councillor N Farr – declared a personal interest in agenda item 5 - Social Services' Functions in Relation to Part 11 of the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 Update as she is employed as a Social Worker in adult social care in Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council.

To receive for approval, the minutes of the meetings of the Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee of 13 January and 6 April 2016.

RESOLVED:            (1) That the minutes of the meeting of the Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee of 13 January 2016 be approved as a true and accurate record and that it be ascertained whether the information requested on the Communities First programme had been sent to the Committee. 

(2) That the minutes of the meeting of the Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee of 6 April 2016 be approved as a true and accurate record subject to minute 37 being amended to reflect that Councillor P Davies chaired the meeting from item 5 onwards.

The Scrutiny Officer presented a report outlining the suggested topics for consideration in the development of the Committee’s Forward Work Programme for 2016-17.  A draft list of items for possible inclusion on the Forward Work Programme had been developed arising from the workshop held in April 2016.  There was also the potential for Collaborative Committees to deal with cross-cutting issues such as Supporting People or Child and Adolescent Mental Health. 

The Scrutiny Officer informed the Committee that three items required prioritisation, namely, Day Services for People with Learning Disabilities; the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 and Meals at Home which had been postponed as the consultation process had not been completed.      She stated that the Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing had agreed to assist the Committee with suggested topics for the Forward Work Programme where there were current gaps in the programme. 

The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing informed the Committee of potential items it may wish to consider for inclusion in the Forward Work Programme. 

The Scrutiny Officer informed the Committee that she would send a list of potential items for inclusion on the Forward Work Programme to the Committee.    

Conclusion

The Committee discussed and agreed a draft provisional Forward Work Programme and that draft the list of items (Appendix B) be re-circulated to the Committee in order that it be given further consideration at the next meeting.  

Members agreed to develop the detail for all Annual FWP Items before the next meeting of the Committee.  It was agreed that any items for consideration should be focused and provide an opportunity to add value and improve the outcomes for residents of the County Borough.

Members agreed to consider a wider range of invitees to attend future meeting of the committee. This could include service users who were able to ensure comprehensive and balance consideration of the item.

Invitees

Councillor Philip White – Cabinet Member Adult Social Care  

Susan Cooper – Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing

Jacqueline Davies – Head of Adult Social Care

Carmel Donovan – Group Manager, Older People

The Scrutiny Officer introduced an update report on the local authority’s responsibilities in respect of the Secure Estate, following the implementation of the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act in 2016.  She informed the Committee that approval would be sought from Cabinet to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with HMP Parc Prison for the Provision of care and Support for prisoners in the Secure Estate and agreement to sign up to an Information Sharing Protocol.  Cabinet would also be requested to waive the requirement to seek competitive tenders for the provision of care and support. 

The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing informed the Committee that the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act had introduced significant responsibilities on local authorities for addressing and meeting the care and support needs of all adults and children in prison. 

The Head of Adult Social Care informed the Committee that the Council has a training and resettlement prison accommodating 1723 males upwards of 18 years within its boundary and which the Council is responsible for meeting the care and support needs.  Work was ongoing to determine the actual number of people eligible for support from the Council and over the past year the Directorate has been working in partnership with agencies on how best to meet its obligations towards the secure estate.  A Code of Practice has been issued by the Welsh Government which sets out the requirements on local authorities in the exercise of their social services functions in respect of those held in custody, bail accommodation and on release. 

The Head of Adult Social Care informed the Committee that she represents the Council on a National Steering Group convened to discuss the implementation of responsibilities of the four local authorities in Wales that have prisons within their boundaries.  Regional collaboration arrangements would be established to support care and support needs and to reduce the risk of offending behaviour.  She also informed the Committee of the work undertaken for the care and support of adults in that a Local Implementation Group had been established to develop a local implementation plan.  Two senior social work practitioners and a senior occupational therapist had been appointed on temporary 9 month contracts to carry out assessments and develop managed care and support plans for those within the secure estate.  A mapping exercise has been carried out which indicated that there were 40 people waiting for integrated assessment and 40 requiring assessment for aids and equipment to support their daily living.  It was intended, subject to Cabinet approval, to enter into a short term agreement with G4S Medical Services Limited for a pilot scheme for up to 9 months.  A draft Information Sharing Protocol and Memorandum of Understanding have been developed for the delivery of care in this environment and to enable the delivery of effective care and support. 

The Head of Adult Social Care informed the Committee that the Council has received funding of £236,774 for 2016/17 which will reduce thereafter to £217,448 on an ongoing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

The Scrutiny Officer presented a report which detailed the items to be considered at the next meeting of the Committee and sought confirmation of the information and invitees required.   

Conclusion                  

The Committee noted the items to be considered at its meeting on 13 September 2016.  

RESOLVED:            That Councillor N Farr be nominated as its Corporate Parenting Champion to represent the Committee at meetings of the Cabinet Committee Corporate Parenting.

To consider any items of business in respect of which notice has been given in accordance with Part 4 (paragraph 4) of the Council Procedure Rules and which the person presiding at the meeting is of the opinion should by reason of special circumstances be transacted at the meeting as a matter of urgency.

There were no urgent items.