Agenda and draft minutes
PDF 135 KBVenue: Conference Room 1a, County Hall, Ruthin
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APOLOGIES |
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APPOINTMENT OF VICE CHAIR To appoint a Vice Chair of the Partnerships Scrutiny Committee for the ensuing year. Minutes: In
accordance with the Council’s Constitution CVs/statements had been requested
from interested parties for the office of Committee Vice-Chair. One such CV had been received prior to the
meeting and circulated to all members. Councillor
E A Jones was nominated and seconded for the office of Committee
Vice-Chair. No other nominations were
received and the Committee: RESOLVED – that Councillor E.A. Jones be appointed Vice Chair for the ensuing year.
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DECLARATION OF INTERESTS 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 To receive the minutes of the Partnerships Scrutiny
Committee held on Thursday, 19th April, 2012 (copy enclosed) Minutes: The Minutes of a meeting of
the Partnerships Scrutiny Committee held on Thursday, 19th April,
2012 were submitted. Matters arising:- 4. Minutes of the last
meeting, Page 1, The Big Plan – In response to a question from the Councillor
D. Owens, the Scrutiny Coordinator agreed to circulate to Members of the
Committee the response received from the Minister for Health and social
Services regarding the provision of HPV vaccinations to boys. Page 2, Tourism - In reply to
a question from the Councillor D. Owens, the Scrutiny Coordinator confirmed the
Tourism and Leisure Services had been asked to provide all councillors with
details of the progress in respect of planned initiatives to encourage Tweedmill outlet shoppers to visit other parts of the
County. Councillor W.L. Cowie informed the Committee that a booklet had been
produced by the Tweedmill outlet which made reference
to St Asaph, and in particular to the Cathedral. Page 2, Members Questions –
Councillor J.R. Bartley informed Members that he had requested, from the
Assistant Director of Primary Care, statistics and details in respect of annual
health checks for people with learning disabilities. The Corporate Director: Modernising
and Wellbeing
agreed that she would endeavour to obtain the information, and suggested that
this matter be included on the agenda for the next Scrutiny Committee attended
by representatives of RESOLVED – that, subject to the above,
the Minutes be received and approved as a correct record. |
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SUSTAINABLE SOCIAL SERVICES: A FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION AND SOCIAL SERVICES (WALES) BILL To consider a
report by the Corporate Director: Modernisation and Wellbeing (copy enclosed) outlining the policy and
legislative changes proposed by the Welsh Government which will affect the
delivery of social services for the foreseeable future. The report also seeks Members’ views on the
changes and on the proposals under development to manage the delivery of
services in the future. 9.45 a.m. Additional documents: Minutes: A
copy of a report by
the Corporate Director: Modernising and Wellbeing, which detailed major policy
and legislative change proposed by Welsh Government and its affect on the
delivery of social services for the foreseeable future, had been circulated
with the papers for the meeting. The Corporate Director:
Modernising and Wellbeing introduced the report which outlined the proposed
changes set out in “Sustainable Social Services: A Framework for Action”
(SSSFFA) and the Social Services ( Appendix 1 summarised the
content of the major Welsh Government policy document “Sustainable Social
Services: a Framework for Action” and proposals in the Social Services ( Many of the proposals in
SSSFFA and the Bill assumed that councils would deliver services in partnership
through close collaboration with other services within the Council, the NHS, other Councils or with the community, voluntary and
independent sectors. Appendix 2 set out current structures for working on an
inter-agency, sub-regional and regional basis. Some issues would require a
particular Denbighshire focus if a particular impetus was needed or there were
particular opportunities. It was
proposed that a Denbighshire Modernising Social Services Board, across
Children’s, Adults and Business Services, was established to oversee this
work. There would be considerable common
areas of work with those to modernise the Council generally and this had been
illustrated in the Chart included in Appendix 2 to the report. The Corporate Director:
Modernising and Wellbeing (CDM&W) provided a detailed presentation of
Appendix 1, Modernising Social Services – The Package, and the main points
included:- ·
Challenges ·
Gamechanging Principles ·
Differences ·
Social Services ( ·
Maintaining and Enhancing the Wellbeing of People in Need ·
Implications ·
A stronger Voice and Real Control ·
Strong nation Direction and Local Accountability ·
Safeguarding and Protection ·
Regulation and Inspection ·
Denbighshire Modernising Social Services Board The following issues were
raised by Councillor J.A. Davies and responses provided by the CDM&W:- Pages 18 and
21 - Simplicity of obtaining details on acquiring help, and access to
information. It was confirmed that there would be a need
to monitor the dissemination of information through various channels such as
the website, leaflets and posters. Page 25 - The CDM&W
confirmed that there were no additional resources provided in respect of the
implementation of the Local “People in Need” assessments. Page 27 – It was explained
that the maximum £50.00 per week charge had been introduced under the Welsh
Government charging policy in respect of social care in the community. In response to a question from Councillor, M.
McCarroll, the Head of Adult and Business Services
(HABS) outlined the criteria and procedure adopted for assessing the need for
the provision of additional sessions. Page 31 - Rights of Carers. ... view the full minutes text for item 6. |
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ANNUAL COUNCIL REPORT: SOCIAL SERVICES 2011/2012 To consider a
report by the Corporate Director: Modernisation and Wellbeing (copy enclosed) which sought the Committee’s
views on the proposed Modernising Social Services Board to take forward key
developments in Denbighshire. 10.25 a.m. Additional documents: Minutes: A
copy of a report by
the Corporate Director: Modernising and Wellbeing, which provided the self assessment of social
care in Denbighshire and improvement priorities for 2012/2013, had been circulated with the
papers for the meeting. Due to the limited time
available to conduct the remainder of the meeting the Committee agreed that any
questions or comments in respect of the Directors Annual Report for 2011/2012,
Appendix 1, be submitted to the Corporate Director:
Modernising and Wellbeing. Members were
informed that the Directors
Annual Report for 2011/2012 would be submitted to County Council
in July 2012 for consideration and approval. RESOLVED – that Members questions and comments in respect of the Directors Annual
Report for 2011/2012, Appendix 1, be submitted to the Corporate Director:
Modernising and Wellbeing. |
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REGIONAL AND NATIONAL SUPPORTING PEOPLE PROGRAMME CHANGES To consider a
report by the Supporting People Manager (copy enclosed) on the proposed changes
to the Supporting People Programme in 11.10 a.m. Additional documents: Minutes: A
copy of a report by
the Supporting People Manager, which detailed the proposed changes to the Supporting
People Programme in Wales, and provided an update on the revised interim
arrangements proposed by the Welsh Government for the establishment of a Regional
Collaborative Committee (RCC) for Supporting People (SP) Services, Appendix 1, had
been circulated with the papers for the meeting. The report also sought Members’ views to
inform Denbighshire’s response to the consultation. The Corporate Director: Modernising
and Wellbeing explained that Supporting People was a significant programme providing
“housing related” support services to a wide range of vulnerable groups. The Programme had been evaluated at national
level and shown to deliver very positive financial benefits in addition to
non-financial benefits which had been outlined in the report. An independent review of the
Supporting People programme had been commissioned by the Welsh Government (WG)
and the 25 key recommendations put forward had been accepted. The WG subsequently established a cross
sector Steering Group and a number of national workstreams
to take forward the implementation of the recommendations. The Minister for Housing,
Regeneration and Heritage had decided that Regional Collaborative Committees (RCCs) should be established from the start of the new
arrangements and this requirement had subsequently been incorporated within the
Compact for Change. Concerns had been
raised by Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) and local authority
representatives regarding the proposed role for the RCCs,
the governance arrangements and the potential for an increase in
bureaucracy. Details
of the current position had been included in the report. The new proposed interim model provided the RCC responsibility under
four broad areas which would include oversight; Ministerial advice; planning
and administration. The substantial and significant difference being that
the RCC would make recommendations on local and regional spend to the Minister
who would then make the resource decision. The
model proposed that the Minister would be involved in decisions in respect of
local and regional spend on Supporting People Services, and virement
of Supporting People Programme Grant (SPPG) between service user groups within
the local and regional SP plan within the region. The model raised concerns as it appeared to
run counter to the principles agreed following the “Essex Review”. The proposal also appeared to run counter to
the findings of the Review of current supporting people arrangements which
stressed the need to reduce complexity and bureaucracy and avoid the delays
created by Ministers making decisions about local services. The WG
had decided that transfer of Supporting People Revenue Grant (SPRG) would not
occur until the RCCs had been appropriately
established, possibly in August, 2012 and it was understood that suggestions to
further delay until April, 2013 had been rejected. The Corporate Director
stressed that it would be important to deliver good
services to vulnerable people and to manage a reduction in resources in as
effective a way as possible, including through collaboration. It was felt that this would be best achieved
by means of a thought through change management process. In
reply to a question from Councillor G.M. Kensler, it
was confirmed that representations could be made by Members to the Welsh
Assembly in respect of this matter. The
Corporate Director agreed that a copy of a letter
sent from the North Wales Chief Executives to the AM Minister for Housing,
Regeneration and Heritage, setting out issues and concerns of the Local
Authorities, could be circulated to Members of the Committee. In response to concerns raised by Members relating to the costs of service provisions for people now residing in Denbighshire who were from outside the ... view the full minutes text for item 8. |
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SAFER COMMUNITIES REGIONAL BOARD To consider a
report by the Head of Business Planning and Performance (copy enclosed) which
outlines the progress towards the formation of the Safer Communities Regional
Partnership Board, and presents the amended Partnership Agreement for the Board. 11.40 a.m. Additional documents: Minutes: A
copy of a report by
the Head of Business, Planning and Performance (HBPP) (copy enclosed) which
outlined progress towards the formation of the Safer Communities Regional
Partnership Board and presented the amended Partnership Agreement for the Board, had been circulated with the papers for the meeting. As part of the North Wales
Partnership Review it had been agreed that a Regional Safer Communities Board
for The idea of a formal Joint
Committee had not been supported across the The HBPP outlined the proposed
membership of the Board which included the Lead Elected Member for Community
Safety from each Authority, representatives from the Police, Health, Probation
and Fire Service. There would also be a
supporting group of ‘experts’ with experience in Youth Justice and Community
Safety. He also provided a summary of
the commissioning and resource allocation, forward work programme and
associated developments, all of which had been included in the report. Members and officers discussed
the role of the Scrutiny Committee and considered how the arrangements would
address the needs locally following the process of centralisation in The HBPP highlighted the
significance of the Community Safety Partnership Action Plan in respect of
their proposals for Denbighshire. With regard to the scrutiny of partnerships,
the Scrutiny Coordinator referred to the WLGA proposals to arrange a workshop
for all Chairs of Scrutiny. The HBPP
confirmed that the Lead Member for Public Realm would be nominated as
Denbighshire’s member of the Safer Communities Board. Members were informed that the issue of dog
fouling would be considered by the Communities Scrutiny Committee at its meeting
in June, 2012. During the ensuing discussion the Committee endorsed the recommendations contained in the report. Members also supported a proposal by Councillor E.A. Jones that the WLGA’s suggestion of holding a workshop for scrutiny chairs and vice-chairs to develop clear direction and guidance with respect to the scrutiny of regional and sub regional partnerships be pursued, to ensure the avoidance of democratic deficit. RESOLVED – that the Committee:- (a)
receives and notes the revised Partnership Agreement; (b)
supports the amended arrangements
as detailed in the Agreement, and (c)
recommends that the WLGA’s proposal for a workshop for scrutiny chairs and
vice-chairs for the purpose of developing clear guidance and direction with
respect to the scrutiny of regional and
sub regional partnerships be pursued. |
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SCRUTINY WORK PROGRAMME 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.
12.15
p.m. Additional documents:
Minutes: A
copy of a report by the Scrutiny Coordinator seeking the Committee to review
its draft Forward Work Programme (FWP) and which provided an update on relevant issues had
been circulated with the papers for the meeting. The
Scrutiny Coordinator introduced the report and
explained that Committee’s draft forward work programme, Appendix 1,
had been inherited from its predecessor Committee. Members were requested to consider whether
the FWP reflected the new Committee’s wishes and priorities. Members were informed that details of the FWP
for the Communities and Performance Scrutiny Committees had been included in
the information papers circulated previously. A
table summarising recent Committee resolutions and advising Members on progress
with their implementation had been attached at Appendix 4 to the report. Under
the Council’s scrutiny arrangements the Scrutiny Chairs and Vice-Chairs Group
(SCVCG) performed the role of a coordinating Committee. The SCVCG had recommended that the
Partnerships Scrutiny Committee, in complying with its designated function of
scrutinising crime and disorder matters under the requirements of the Police
and Justice Act 2006, schedule into its FWP for September 2012 an item on the
Community Safety Partnership (CSP). The
Committee considered the draft FWP for future meetings,
as detailed in Appendix 1, and reference was made to the following issues:- The inclusion of the
continuation of meetings with representatives of Betsi
Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) - In response
to concerns raised by Councillor E.A. Jones with regard to the importance of
the consultation process in respect of Health Authority issues, the Scrutiny
Coordinator explained that the Service Reviews would be submitted to Council
for consideration in July 2012. Children and Adolescent Mental
Health Progress (CAMHS) – in response to a question from Councillor G.M. Kensler, the Scrutiny Coordinator explained that this item
could be included on the agenda for the meeting with Street
Lighting – Members expressed the view that there were no apparent problems
pertaining to street lighting and that this item be removed from the FWP. The Scrutiny Coordinator responded to questions from Members regarding items included on the FWP. The Committee agreed that the Scrutiny Coordinator be requested to arrange a Workshop to enable Committee Members to consider in detail the Committee's FWP for the 2012/13 municipal year. Nominations
had been sought for Committee Members to serve on the Service Challenge Groups,
which would meet on a twice yearly basis.
A timetable for the meetings had been included in the information sheet
circulated prior to the meeting. The
following Members were appointed to serve on the following Groups:- Legal
and Democratic Services: Cllr B. Blakeley Business
Planning and Performance: Cllr G.M. Kensler Education
and Cusotmers and Education Support: Cllr B. Blakeley Communications,
Marketing and Leisure: Cllr B. Blakeley Finance
and Assets: Cllr G.M. Kensler Highways
and Infrastructure: Cllr T.M. Parry Regeneration:
Cllr M. McCarroll Councillor
E.A. Jones was appointed to serve on the Strategic Investment Group which would
meet on a monthly basis. It
was explained that nominations would be required from amongst the Committee's
membership to serve on the following Groups:- Housing
and Community Development Children
and Family Services Adult
and Business Services Environmental
Services Planning
and Public Protection Strategic
Human Resources Members agreed that in order to ease the workload the Scrutiny Coordinator be asked to seek expressions of interest, from Members who were unable to attend the meeting or had to leave the meeting before the item had been considered, ... view the full minutes text for item 10. |