The Chief Officer – Legal & Regulatory Services, HR & Corporate Policy presented a report on the proposed scrutiny arrangements for the

Cwm Taf Morgannwg Public Services Board, following the transition to a single Public Services Board (PSB) for Cwm Taf Morgannwg. She explained that in order to reduce duplication and enable more effective joint working, the two PSBs currently in place within the footprint had taken forward a merger to create a new PSB for the Cwm Taf Morgannwg area. This merger would enable the PSB to align with the health board footprint going forward.

The Chief Officer – Legal & Regulatory Services, HR & Corporate Policy explained that in order to ensure democratic accountability of the PSB, there was a statutory requirement set out in legislation and guidance for a designated Local Government Scrutiny Committee of the relevant authority to scrutinise the work of the PSB.

The Chief Officer – Legal & Regulatory Services, HR & Corporate Policy outlined the proposed membership and arrangements for the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee and referred Members to the Draft Terms of Reference, which once agreed, would be reviewed periodically to ensure they were fit for purpose. It was suggested that the appointment of the Chairperson be taken forward on an annual basis, but for greater consistency it was proposed that there was no requirement for an annual rotation of appointment between authorities and that a current chair could be reappointed. It was proposed that this arrangement was taken forward for a two-year period before a review of the arrangement was undertaken.

A Member referred to point 3.12 in the report regarding the appointment of the Chair and Vice Chair and suggested that it was important for constituent authorities to have a share of ownership in this new body and that rotation should be brought in, at least every 3 years to help to give the body additional maturity. He accepted the argument that expertise would be gained but there was a counter argument, and he suggested an amendment.

The Chief Officer – Legal & Regulatory Services, HR & Corporate Policy explained that Council were being asked to endorse the Draft Terms of Reference and to make any further comments as felt appropriate so an amendment was not required at this stage as any comments would be picked up by the PSB and scrutiny. It would be reviewed periodically to make sure it was fit for purpose. 

A Member asked what support elected members could expect to receive to ensure they could properly scrutinise the work of the PSB. The Chief Officer – Legal & Regulatory Services, HR & Corporate Policy replied that they would be arranging training as set out in the Terms of Reference and they would link in with the Wellbeing Commissioner to see what was available.

The Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Regeneration replied that he and the Leader had a very productive meeting with the new Future Generations Commissioner a few weeks previously where they discussed the support offered both to local authorities and to elected Members from the Commissioner's Office. They agreed to have training put in place in terms of how the wellbeing of Future Generations Act should be embedded in local authorities. It was important to ensure that Members taking part in this scrutiny had that understanding of the aims of the PSB.

RESOLVED:      Council:

·                      Agreed to the creation of a Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee comprising elected Members from Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil and Bridgend County Borough Councils to scrutinise the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Public Services Board;

·                      Endorsed the Draft Terms of Reference of the Cwm Taf   Morgannwg Public Services Board Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee, as set out in Appendix 1 and made further comments.

·                     Determined the PSB Statutory members (non-executive) and `invited participants` to serve as co-opted members on the Cwm Taf PSB JOSC as highlighted within section 3 of the report.

·                     Agreed that the Chair and Vice Chair arrangements, highlighted within section 3 of the report, be taken forward, commencing from the beginning of the 2023/24 Municipal Year.

·                      Agreed that the support and administrative arrangements, highlighted within section 3 of the report be provided by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, for a 2-

           year period, commencing from the beginning of the 2023/24 Municipal Year before a review of the arrangements was undertaken.

     Agreed that all Members of the Cwm Taf Morgannwg PSB JOSC be provided with training to assist them in undertaking their new role.