Agenda and draft minutes
Venue: Conference Room 1a, County Hall, Ruthin
No. | Item |
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Apologies Minutes: Apologies for
absence were received from Councillor
Meirick Lloyd Davies, Councillor Merfyn
Parry and Councillor Bill Tasker |
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Declarations of interest Members to declare any personal or prejudicial interests in any business identified to be considered at this meeting. Minutes: No Members declared any personal or prejudicial interests in any business identified to be considered at the meeting. |
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Urgent matters as agreed by the Chair Notice of items which, in the opinion of the Chair, should
be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency pursuant to Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972. Minutes: No items were raised which in
the opinion of the Chair, should be considered at the meeting as a matter of
urgency pursuant to Section 100B(4) of the Local
Government Act 1972. |
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Minutes of the last meeting PDF 133 KB (i)
To receive the minutes of the Partnerships
Scrutiny Committee held on the 27th September, 2012 (copy enclosed). (ii)
To receive the minutes of a special meeting of
the Partnerships Scrutiny Committee held on the 11th October, 2012
(copy enclosed). Additional documents: Minutes: (i)
The Minutes of a meeting of the Partnerships Scrutiny Committee held on Matters arising:- 5. Review of Higher Education
in North East Wales – Following concerns expressed by Councillor H.O. Williams, that the Times University Guide
had found a low level of student satisfaction at 6. Community Safety
Partnership – In reply to a question from Councillor J. Butterfield regarding
the impact of the new Police Commissioners on Policing in the local
communities, particular reference being made to the possible conflict between
the roles of the Police Force and of the Police Commissioner, the Democratic
Services Officer agreed to seek clarification in respect of the concerns
raised. He referred to the Police issues
update provided by the Community Safety Partnership Manager which had been
included as Appendix 4 to Agenda Item number 9. RESOLVED – that, subject to the above,
the Minutes be received and approved as a correct record. (ii) The Minutes of a meeting
of the Partnerships Scrutiny Committee held on RESOLVED – that the Minutes be received
and approved as a correct record. |
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ANNUAL REPORT ON ADULT PROTECTION IN DENBIGHSHIRE PDF 60 KB To consider a report by the Corporate Director: Modernisation and Wellbeing (copy attached) in respect of the annual performance around Adult Protection in compliance with Statutory Guidance. 9.35
a.m. Additional documents: Minutes: A
copy of a report by
the Corporate Director: Modernising and Wellbeing relating
to the annual performance around Adult Protection in compliance with Statutory
Guidance, had been circulated with the papers for the meeting. The report
provided information
to enable a review of the progress over the last twelve months, and ensured that the adult protection policy requirements
were part of the organisation’s overall approach to
service provision and development. The key policy document in Adult Protection
for Denbighshire had been the Wales Interim Policy and Procedure for the
Protection of Vulnerable Adults which had been based on the guidance issued by
Welsh Government ‘In Safe Hands’. The
North Wales Forum monitored ongoing developments to ensure they had been
incorporated into current practice. ‘In
Safe Hands’ highlighted the Local Authorities responsibility in taking the lead
role in the process. The Head of Adult and Business
Services summarised the contents of the report which included
key issues and areas of activity pertaining to Adult Protection 2010/11, encompassing
Training provided by Denbighshire in respect of adult
protection, Performance Indicators and the POVA Action Plan. Recent
developments included:- ·
Consultation on the Social Services ( ·
Examining the possibility of a joint Adult Protection Committee with Conwy . ·
A Serious Case Review carried out in relation to
the case of an elderly woman murdered by her husband. ·
A Task and Finish Group currently considering
options to recommend a model for the future management of adult safeguarding
within Denbighshire. ·
The development of an Action Plan by the
Denbighshire Adult Protection Committee. The Appendices included in the
report provided some of the key data for protection of vulnerable adult work
within Denbighshire during the year.
Denbighshire received 244 referrals although many cases were ongoing and
data collection was incomplete. Appendix 1 – provided an
indication of the groups affected by abuse. Appendix 2 - indicated the types
of abuse people being experienced. Appendix 3 – detailed where the abuse had occurred. Appendix 4 – identified the
people allegedly responsible for abuse. Appendix 5 - indicated the status
of allegations. Appendix 6 – showed the outcome
for the alleged victim. Appendix 7 – indicated the
outcome for the abuser. The Head of Adult and Business Services responded to concerns raised by Councillor J.A. Davies regarding the need for the provision
of a confidential care line for adults.
He explained that leaflets distributed on behalf of the North Wales
Forum which contained an incorrect telephone number had, where possible, been
recalled and an alternative telephone number circulated and listed on their
website. Members
agreed that the possibility of providing an adult care line, together with
details of the respective costs involved, be investigated. In response to a question from
Councillor J. Butterfield, the of Head of Adult and Business Services provided
details of the Community Living Schemes operating in Denbighshire and agreed to
look in to the possibility of Members of the appropriate Scrutiny Committee to
visit a selection of the schemes currently in operation. Councillor J.R. Bartley
referred to Appendix 3 to the report and expressed concern regarding the skills
of police officers in dealing with victims who have learning disabilities. Details of the links between the Public
Protection Unit and POVA were outlined, particular reference being made to the
Police presence on the adult protection Committee. Confirmation was provided that the Police
Force were sensitive to issues involving vulnerable adults and to instances
involving persons with learning disabilities, and that the appropriate training
had been provided for officers in respect of this matter. The Head ... view the full minutes text for item 5. |
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JOINT OUT OF HOURS EMERGENCY DUTY SERVICE PDF 60 KB To consider a report by the Head of Adult Services (copy attached) which outlined the progress of the North East Wales Emergency Duty Team (NEWEDT).
10.10 a.m. Additional documents: Minutes: A
copy of a report by
the Head of Adult and Business Services, which
outlined the progress of the North East Wales Emergency Duty Team (NEWEDT), had been circulated with the
papers for the meeting. The Head of Adult and Business
Services introduced the report which provided
information on the developments in the NEWEDT service particularly in relation
to:- ·
Feedback from a workshop held
to Review the Service Operational Model. ·
Request by Conwy
County Council to become a Member of the NEWEDT. ·
Information and Systems. ·
Review of 2011 -12 Service
Outcomes and Performance Indicators. ·
Key Service Objectives 2012-13. NEWEDT provided an emergency social work service, based and managed
in Wrexham, for the Counties of Wrexham,
Flintshire and Denbighshire during the hours when
mainstream services were closed. It was
explained that Conwy County Borough Council had
requested to become Partners in the NEWEDT.
The focus of the review of the Service Operational Delivery Model had
incorporated service strategy; governance arrangements; organisational
structure and management accountability, including consideration given to
potential efficiency savings. Action
points identified by the review had been included in the report and were being
progressed. Following agreement at the Partnership Operational Management Board
a Consultant had been interviewed and commissioned to complete a business case
on behalf of the Partner Authorities with the main focus being the feasibility
of a proposed enlargement of the current Partnership and thorough analysis of
risk. The report also provided details relating to the Information and
Systems, Review of 2011 -12 Service Outcomes and Performance indicators, Performance
Data, Key Services Objectives 2012 -13 and an outline of the Consultation
process. In
reply to a question regarding response times and distance travelled to attend
emergencies, the EDT
Regional Co-ordinator confirmed that
45 minutes would
be the maximum response time within the County.
However, work was undertaken with a number of other Agencies who
provided assistance if required. The
Head of Adult and Family Services confirmed that response times in respect of
Doctors acting under Section 12 of the Mental Health Act 1983 had now improved. Councillor E.A. Jones
highlighted the equalities aspect of the process and the importance of ensuring
the protection of the rights of vulnerable people. The Head of Adult and Family Services
confirmed that Welsh speaking staff were available to provide the service. He also provided an outline of the process
adopted, which could if required, be conducted in various other languages. The Committee were informed of
the emergency service arrangements for the Christmas period, details of which
had been included on the internet, and it was agreed the emergency number could
be circulated to Members of the Committee. In response to a question from
Councillor J.A. Davies, the Head of Adult and Family Services provided details
of the provision of training for members of staff, particular reference was
made to the provision of training to ensure staff recognise
mental illness relate problems. The Democratic Services
Officer responded to a question from Councillor J. Butterfield and provided
details of the process adopted for addressing issues, concerns and
recommendations made by the Committee. Following a brief discussion,
it was:- RESOLVED – that the Partnerships Scrutiny
Committee:- (a) receives and notes the
contents of the report, and (b)
the emergency telephone number be circulated to Members of the Committee. |
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POST PEMBROKESHIRE SAFEGUARDING ACTION PLAN PDF 77 KB To consider a joint report by the Corporate Director: Modernisation and Wellbeing and Corporate Director: Customers (copy attached) which outlined the Post Pembrokeshire Action Plan.
10.55 a.m. Additional documents: Minutes: A
copy of a joint report by the Corporate Director: Modernisation and Wellbeing and Corporate Director:
Customers, which outlined the Post Pembrokeshire
Action Plan, had been circulated with the papers for the meeting. The Corporate
Director: Customers referred to the issue of safeguarding children and the
significant publicity relating to the Jimmy Savile
and Bryn Estyn cases.
He introduced the report which outlined the findings of the joint investigation by the CSSIW
and Estyn in respect of the handling and management
of allegations of professional abuse and the arrangements for safeguarding and
protecting children in education services in Pembrokeshire. The report identified significant failings by
the Authority in safeguarding children and put in place a series of
requirements. A Joint Review had been
undertaken to consider progress and make further recommendations. These reports
identified shortcomings and made recommendations in the following areas:- Recruitment Record keeping Processes, policies and
procedures Training Reporting and scrutiny Further specific issues had been highlighted subsequently which
related to the use of “time-out” rooms in Pembrokeshire
schools, and it was explained that Denbighshire had a common policy across all
secondary schools on ‘use of Reasonable Force and Restrictive Physical
Intervention’. In response to concerns
raised by Councillor E.A. Jones, the Corporate
Director: Customers explained that the policy had been circulated to all
secondary schools with the objective that the policy, or an acceptable version,
be adopted by all secondary school governing bodies by Easter 2013. He confirmed that it would be the
responsibility of the respective schools to ensure they had an acceptable
agreed version of the policy in place.
The Corporate Director provided an outline of the purpose and use of “time out”
rooms in Denbighshire schools and provided an assurance that pupils were supervised when utilising the “time out” rooms
facility. Practice in Denbighshire and
other Authorities in The report detailed the actions
taken by Denbighshire in response to the Inspectorates’ findings in Pembrokeshire and provided information on the
implementation of actions in the Corporate Safeguarding Action Plan to monitor
progress. It appraised the scrutiny
arrangements of the Conwy and Denbighshire Local
Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) and addressed more general practice issues
as well as policy and procedural points.
It was explained that some issues raised in the Safeguarding Action Plan
would be best addressed by the LSCB, and the structures for scrutinising
safeguarding arrangements had been outlined. Denbighshire’s Safeguarding
Action Plan had been developed as further issues had surfaced or been raised
nationally with progress being driven through the Social Services and Education
Management Team. The arrangements had
not superseded those of the LSCB, but had been designed to ensure an
appropriate focus on Denbighshire as a complex multi-functional corporate organisation. A
number of key points and areas had been highlighted in the report which related
to:- ·
CRB Checks/References and HR Policies plus
Safeguarding and Third Sector organisations. ·
Safeguarding Policies and Procedures. ·
Employment actions. ·
School Governors. ·
Reporting to the LSCB. ·
School Safeguarding Audit Checklist. ·
School Governor with responsibility for
safeguarding. ·
Restrictive Interventions / Time Outs
Rooms in Schools/ Establishments. With regard to CRB Checks, References and HR Policies plus Safeguarding and Third Sector organisations. It was confirmed that CRB checks on staff were consistently undertaken by Denbighshire, including volunteers working directly with children, and detailed progress against this work had been included in the Action Plan. Reference was made to ... view the full minutes text for item 7. |
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THREE YEAR STRATEGIC YOUTH JUSTICE PLAN PDF 81 KB To consider a report by the Corporate Director: Modernisation and Wellbeing (copy attached) details the background, purpose and intentions of the Strategic Youth Service Plan, and provides the final draft intended for submission to the Youth Justice Board and its subsequent publication and distribution. 11.30 a.m. Additional documents: Minutes: A
copy of a report by the Corporate Director: Modernisation and Wellbeing, which detailed the background,
purpose and intentions of the Strategic Youth Service Plan, and provided the
final draft intended for submission to the Youth Justice Board and its subsequent
publication and distribution, had been circulated with the papers for the
meeting. The
Youth
Justice Board (YJB) oversees the youth justice system in The Youth Justice Service
Strategic Manager (YJSSM) provided an outline of the report which highlighted the
following key areas:- -
The operational and functional aspects of the local youth justice services. - Local
Priorities:- ·
primary customers ·
service
delivery for Denbighshire and Conwy. -
Strategic priorities for the next 3 years:- ·
how the
priorities help to deliver the Council’s Strategic Ambitions, and the Council’s
core roles. ·
the outcome and aims of the successful delivery
of priorities. - The agreed operational
objectives for 2012-15 being further specific themed priorities in section 3 of
the operational plan. A detailed summary of the three
sections within the Conwy and Denbighshire Youth
Justice Business Plan 2012-2015 was provided by the YJSSM. She made particular reference to the six Key Performance Indicators
which detailed:- ·
First Time Entrants (FTE). ·
Access to suitable accommodation. ·
Custodial Convictions. ·
Re-offending Rates. ·
Engagement in Education, Training and Employment (ETE). ·
Substance Misuse (Assessment &Treatment Services). The following responses to
questions and issues raised by Members were provided:- - The changes within the
Probation Service had not had a detrimental effect on the service delivery of
the Children and Families Service.
However, any future impact would be reported to Members. - The Youth Justice Service
was monitored through the six Key Performance Indicators, with each Member of
staff having an input into the data recording system following the undertaking
of comprehensive assessments. An outline
of the rigorous scrutiny process undertaken was provided for the Committee. - Details pertaining to the
Engagement in
Education, Training and Employment were provided and the YJSSM outlined the work undertaken by the two
Education Officers employed within the service. Confirmation
was provided that the appropriate risk assessments were undertaken in cases
where behavior
problems had been experienced. - All members of staff within the
service had undergone CRB checks with volunteers having enhanced CRB
checks. It was explained that the
implications of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 would affect all organisations and this would be reflected in next years
report. - It was explained that
funding issues posed the greatest threat to the service and details of the
funding source, and related problems, were outlined for the Committee. - The YJSSM explained that a Risk
Register was maintained and a future Action Plan was being developed. It was confirmed that changes to the service
were unpredictable and difficult to plan for with changes to the remand system
having possible financial implications on Local Authorities, particular
reference being made to the intermittent use of services resulting in higher
operational costs for the service provider. - Details of accommodation provision and related budgetary implications were outlined by the Head of Children and Family Services. In reply to a question from the Chair, the officers outlined the procedures in place to ensure the safety of ... view the full minutes text for item 8. |
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Scrutiny work programme PDF 57 KB To consider a report by the Scrutiny Coordinator (copy enclosed) seeking a review of the committee’s forward work programme and updating members on relevant issues. 12:05pm Additional documents:
Minutes: A
copy of a report by the Democratic Services Officer seeking the Committee to
review its Forward Work Programme (FWP) and providing an update on relevant issues had been
circulated with the papers for the meeting.
The Cabinet’s
FWP had been included as Appendix 2 to the report Community Safety Partnership:- (i) -
CCTV provision – As agreed at the previous meeting of the Committee
clarification had been sought at the Corporate Executive Team meeting regarding
a number of questions raised in respect of Denbighshire’s provision for
CCTV. An update on the issues discussed
at the meeting had been received and the main points summarised
in Appendix 3 to the report. Members
agreed that the Scrutiny Committee consider this item at it meeting in March,
2013, if the BCUHB meeting was rescheduled. (ii) Police Issues referred to
Police Implementation Group - A number of issues relating to law and order had
been raised and the Community Safety Partnership Manager advised that these
would be referred to the Police Implementation Group. A response received from the Community Safety
Partnership Manager had been included in Appendix 4. A copy of a proposal form for
agenda items for Scrutiny Committees, which requested the inclusion of an item
relating to North Wales Carers Information and
Consultation Strategy, was circulated at the meeting. Members agreed that this item be included in
the Forward Work Programme for consideration at the
meeting of the Committee on The
Committee considered the draft Forward Work Programme for
future meetings as detailed in Appendix 1.
Members agreed that the following amendments be included in the FWP for
the Committee:- RESOLVED – that, subject to the above,
the Partnership Scrutiny Committee approves the Future Work Programme
as set out in Appendix 1 to the report. Meeting ended at |