Agenda and draft minutes

(i)          in the absence of the Chair – Councillor Jeanette Chamberlain-Jones, the Vice-Chair – Councillor Emrys Wynne took the Chair for the meeting

(ii)        the Scrutiny Coordinator conveyed Councillor Chamberlain-Jones’ thanks for all the messages of support and good wishes she had received over the last few weeks and the Committee wished her well and a speedy recovery

(iii)       a warm welcome was extended to all present and special mention was made to Judith Greenhalgh, Chief Executive who was attending her first meeting of the Committee.

Councillors Jeanette Chamberlain-Jones (Chair), Hugh Irving and David Williams and Nicola Stubbins (Corporate Director: Communities)

No declaration of personal or prejudicial interest had been raised.

No urgent matters had been raised.

To consider a report by the Homelessness Prevention Commissioning Officer (copy enclosed) updating members on progress in implementing the Homelessness Prevention Action Plan.

10.05 a.m. – 10.45 a.m.

Councillor Bobby Feeley, Lead Member for Well-being and Independence introduced the report (previously circulated) updating members on progress in implementing the Homelessness Prevention Action Plan as requested by the Committee at its meeting in November 2017.  She reminded members of the major changes introduced by the Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Act 2014 and focus on the prevention and intervention measures to homelessness, highlighting that the problem had been compounded by continuing austerity and welfare changes including Universal Credit.

Members’ attention was drawn to the update and key actions over the next two years as detailed in the appendix to the report which incorporated actions required by the Denbighshire Homelessness Prevention Strategy and Denbighshire Supporting People/Homelessness Prevention Annual Plan with a focus on priority areas as recommended by the Wales Audit Office.  The need for the Council to work in partnership with both internal and external organisations in order to achieve those aims was emphasised.

Responding to members’ questions the Lead Member, Head of Community Support Services, Team Manager Housing Solutions and Supporting People and the Homelessness Prevention Commissioning Officer –

·         confirmed that Supporting People (SP) grant funding to address homelessness was secured for 2018/19 and would continue beyond that – however as part of the proposed future funding changes more emphasis on intervention was being prescribed by the Welsh Government and there was uncertainty about who would distribute the proposed ‘super grant’ and how it would be allocated

·         acknowledged there were issues with other organisations setting up as homeless charities and the Council and partners were working with them in order to offer training on how best to deal with the issues raised and complement the Homelessness Strategy, highlighting the clear pathway for those in need of support – SP projects were well monitored by the Welsh Government and managed within a pathway to determine the best provider for an individual/family

·         advised that homelessness prevention services commissioned by SP were based in both rural and town areas and it was agreed to circulate a copy of the Directory of Services to Committee members; reference was also made to the Regional Providers’ Forum and work ongoing to establish a multi-agency Homelessness Forum which members would be welcome to attend

·         clarified the role of ‘Community Navigator’ linked to different areas with one Community Navigator part allocated to homelessness with a focus on Universal Credit – offering early intervention advice and support with a presence in Rhyl job centre to signpost individuals where necessary, ensuring issues were dealt with at an early stage to prevent homelessness

·         explained that given the number of those precariously housed it was difficult to determine specific figures for homelessness with some individuals not traditionally living on the streets but ‘sofa surfing’/staying with friends – there were approximately 60 cases a week presenting to the Council as homeless/at risk of homelessness

·         elaborated upon work being undertaken to identify those individuals/families who would be affected by Universal Credit at an early stage and targeting support to prevent homelessness – all homelessness prevention staff, including those in commissioned services, had received Universal Credit awareness training in order to effectively support people in those circumstances and the Council had worked closely with Citizens Advice in that regard

·         acknowledged that, in terms of Universal Credit, particular groups may not have the necessary skills or access to IT required and work was ongoing to support those individuals; it was also noted that more working families and young people were being affected and feedback highlighted their preference to use digital and social media for accessing services and managing benefits

·         provided assurances regarding the use  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To consider a report by the Principal Manager: Community Support Services regarding changes to be made to the allocation of funding to individuals eligible for a managed care and support plan in Denbighshire.

11.00 a.m. – 11.45 a.m.

Councillor Bobby Feeley, Lead Member for Well-being and Independence, the Head of Community and Support Services and the Principal Manager: Community Support Services presented the report (previously circulated) regarding changes made to the allocation of funding to individuals eligible for a managed care and support plan in Denbighshire.  The changes in processes and approach to the allocation of money had been made in line with the Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Act 2014 in order to increase the choice, voice and control of the individual supported.

The report signalled a move to a new approach with staff having different conversations with citizens usually described as ‘what matters’ conversations – asking what mattered to them and how they wished to achieve their desired outcomes, rather than what was the matter with them, to determine if they were eligible for care and support by applying the resource wheel.  Where total care outcomes could not be achieved support budgets would be provided in one of three ways (1) a self-managed budget (direct payment), (2) a third party managed budget (brokerage), and (3) a local authority managed budget, and it was recognised that many older people would still want a traditional domiciliary care package managed by the local authority.  However, where money was allocated via direct payment to individuals it could be used creatively providing the agreed and desired outcome was achieved, e.g. buying in-house services, employing family members, and paying for an air/season ticket for a family member to provide respite care.  If direct budgets were effectively used outcomes could be achieved in a better way and could result in cost reductions in some cases.  Finally reference was made to system changes required which would affect social care staff, finance officers and other support services and providers which needed to be appropriately managed.

In response to members’ questions and comments the Lead Member and officers –

·         referred to the potential for a Welsh Language care brokerage system to connect with carers and acknowledged the number of Welsh speakers across the whole county with demand in large towns as well as rural areas

·         reported upon safeguards to protect against money mismanagement with a managed account service in-house for direct payments paid on a monthly basis – the Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Act stated that budgets should be reviewed in the first six months; the care and support plan detailed specific outcomes which would be assessed through the review process and expectations would be explained to individuals and rigorous contract monitoring undertaken.  If money was found to be misused there was a mechanism for clawback

·         confirmed that direct payments had not been promoted well to date with approximately 90 out of 1500 individuals receiving direct payments; the majority of those receiving direct payments had been younger adults with complex disabilities but there were examples where the needs of older people could be met at home with family support and social care instead of in a residential care home setting thereby providing greater choice for the individual

·         advised that options to raise awareness of direct payments were currently being explored and direct payment would be the default position at the outset (if appropriate) for those eligible following assessment and assurance could be taken from the early implementation of suitable systems and procedures in place

·         explained the use of the resource wheel as a tool to ensure an asset based approach maximising the contribution of people’s own strengths and the support which might be available from within their family and community; isolation was a key issue and Single Point of Access and Talking Point were key  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

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.

11.45 a.m. – 12 noon

The Scrutiny Coordinator submitted a report (previously circulated) seeking members’ review of the Committee’s work programme and provided an update on relevant issues.

During the ensuing discussion –

·         it was confirmed that reports requested by the Committee under the previous agenda items would be added to the work programme

·         members agreed that the special meeting scheduled for 11 May to discuss the findings of the HASCAS report on the Tawelfan Ward at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd be cancelled due to the Health Board not being in a position to send representatives.  Due to the size and nature of the report members felt it would be more appropriate to meet on an informal basis to review it and formulate questions in readiness for a future meeting with Health Board representatives.  It was agreed to convene the review meeting at 10.00 a.m. on Wednesday 16 May 2018 in County Hall, Ruthin and whilst it would not be a public meeting all councillors would be invited to attend.  Members also noted that the Health Board would be discussing the report’s findings on 12 July 2018 and therefore was not expected to be in a position to send representatives to meet with the Committee until after that date

·         items on the work programme for the June meeting were reaffirmed but it was noted that sufficient progress may not have been made on the CCTV Partnership in order to provide a meaningful report at that time – the Scrutiny Coordinator would make further enquires and report back to members in that regard

·         it was noted that the Scrutiny Chairs and Vice-Chairs Group had not directed any matters to the Committee during their meeting the previous week, and

·         in the absence of the Chair, who was the Committee’s representative on the Strategic Investment Group, expressions of interest were sought for a temporary replacement.  Councillors Joan Butterfield and Emrys Wynne both expressed an interest and following a tied vote Councillor Wynne waived his interest in favour of Councillor Butterfield.

RESOLVED that –

(a)       subject to the addition of the items agreed during the meeting, the work programme as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report be approved, and

(b)       Councillor Joan Butterfield be appointed as the Committee’s temporary representative on the Strategic Investment Group pending the Chair’s return.

To receive any updates from Committee representatives on various Council Boards and Groups.

12 noon – 12.05 p.m.

The Chair reported upon his recent attendance at a meeting of the Welsh in Education Strategic Group at which it was noted that the only representatives present were from Welsh Medium schools.  The need for wider representation from those schools offering Welsh as a second language was highlighted given that they had a special role to play in helping to meet the target increase in Welsh speakers.  The success of Ysgol Emmanuel, amongst others, was given particular mention.

RESOLVED that the verbal report be received and noted.

The meeting concluded at 12.15 p.m.