Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill – Lead Member for Finance, Corporate Plan and Performance

Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill – Lead Member for Finance, Corporate Plan and Performance

No declarations of interest had been raised.

No declarations of interest had been raised.

No urgent matters had been raised.

No urgent matters had been raised.

To receive the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 26 April 2016 (copy enclosed). 

RESOLVED that, subject to a point of accuracy, the minutes of the meeting held on 26 April 2016 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Leader.

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 26 April 2016 were submitted.

Accuracy – Page 9: Item 6 Members Involvement in Appeals – Councillor Barbara Smith asked it to be recorded that she had advised Cabinet that the Local Joint Consultative Committee had been inquorate when the matter had been discussed and that members of it had agreed for their views to be passed on to Cabinet.

RESOLVED that, subject to a point of accuracy, the minutes of the meeting held on 26 April 2016 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Leader.

To consider a report by Councillor Bobby Feeley, Lead Member for Social Care, Adult and Children’s Services (copy enclosed) providing an analysis of the consultation responses on the future of the Council’s in-house social care services for older people and seeking Cabinet approval for officers to explore the options for each of the four care establishments in more detail with a view to making final decisions on which options should be implemented.

RESOLVED that Cabinet approve the following –

(a)       Hafan Deg (Rhyl) – the council explores a potential partnership with an external organisation with a view to transferring the building to them, commissioning a day care service within the building and, in addition, enabling 3rd sector agencies to provide early intervention activities for older people that reduce social isolation, support independence and promote resilience.  The work in relation to this option should include comparative cost, quality of care and Welsh language provision analysis between the current provider and any potential future service

(b)       Dolwen (Denbigh) – the council explores a potential partnership with an external organisation with a view to transferring the building and the whole service to them, whilst ensuring that Dolwen is registered to provide EMH day and residential care.  The work in relation to this option should include comparative cost, quality of care and Welsh language provision analysis between the current provider and any potential future service

(c)        Awelon (Ruthin) – that the Council explores in detail the three options put forward in relation to this establishment and that the work in relation to these options include comparative costs, quality of care and Welsh language provision analysis between the current service and each of the three options. 

The options are –

·         Option 1 (Cabinet’s preferred option): The council will enter into a partnership with the owner of Llys Awelon to develop additional Extra Care apartments on the site, replacing the existing residential and community provision.  However, it should be noted that Cabinet has agreed that no resident will be required to leave if they don’t want to and their needs can still be met in the residential provision

·         Option 2: To work in partnership with a registered social landlord, health services and the 3rd sector to develop a range of services, transferring half of the building to develop additional extra care flats, possibly as an extension to Llys Awelon, while using the remainder as a small residential unit which could be used to meet the need for respite care and to ensure that no existing resident would need to move unless they chose to

·         Option 3: (Suggestion from some members) The council should engage with BCUHB to investigate the feasibility of developing additional nursing care capacity in Ruthin which would then enhance the offer for older people in the Ruthin area

(d)       Cysgod y Gaer (Corwen) – The council explores entering into a partnership with relevant stakeholders (including BCU and the 3rd sector) to develop the site into a ‘support hub’ offering both residential and extra care type facilities as well as an outreach domiciliary care and support service to the tenants of local Sheltered Housing Schemes and the wider population of Corwen and the surrounding area, and

(e)       that upon completion of the above, an analysis of each of the options in relation to each establishment is presented to Performance Scrutiny Committee for examination prior to a decision by Cabinet, with each being presented as it is developed.

The Leader advised that, due to the time consuming and comprehensive process involved in the review, it would be useful for some context to be provided.  Consequently he invited those involved in the process to address Cabinet.

Councillor Meirick Davies, a member and former Chair of the Task & Finish Group established to assist with the review, elaborated upon the membership of the Group, its purpose and scope and the timescales involved which had culminated in their recommendations to Performance Scrutiny Committee.  The Group’s brief had been to examine value for money options for delivering high quality social care services in the county.  Councillor Davies detailed the role of the Group in overseeing the planning process for the consultation exercise and exploration of the potential options over the last two years, demonstrating the comprehensive nature and robustness of the process.  He also took the opportunity to pay tribute to the work of the late Councillor Richard Davies and his contribution to the process. 

Councillor Barry Mellor, Chair of Performance Scrutiny Committee reported upon the committee’s robust scrutiny of the findings, conclusions and proposals of the Task & Finish Group during their meeting on 12 April 2016.  He had been disappointed that, despite being such a high profile issue, there had been a poor public response rate to the consultation process.  Overall, Performance Scrutiny Committee had been satisfied with the Task and Finish Group’s findings and recommendations.  In formulating the committee’s recommendation to Cabinet additional caveats had been included in relation to the inclusion of comparative cost, quality of care and Welsh language provision analysis between the current provider and any potential service.  Councillor Mellor confirmed that he was comfortable with the recommendations put forward for Cabinet’s consideration.

Councillor Bobby Feeley thanked both members and officers for their input into the process to date and for the hard work involved.  She highlighted the case for change taking into account the requirements of the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act and the need to modernise services in response to changing demographics and needs of the public within difficult financial circumstances.  The report summarised the information gathered from the public consultation and the views of the Performance Scrutiny Committee in considering the report of the Task & Finish Group established to analyse that information and recommend a way forward.  Information and evidence considered as part of the review had been included in appendices to the report.

At this point the Head of Community Support Services and Principal Manager – Business Support delivered a power point presentation on the evidence from the public consultation which focused on the following key areas –

·         explained how the legal principles around consultation had been met and the nature of the consultation

·         detailed the case for change taking into account demand for types of social care and needs of local residents and delivering better outcomes, enabling independence for longer and taking into account costs of service provision

·         detailed the options for each of the four care establishments together with the rationale behind each option

·         summarised the public consultation together with an overview of the responses received, the main concerns raised and the Council’s response thereto which had been detailed within the appendices to the main report.

Cabinet discussed the report with the Lead Member and officers and sought assurances regarding a number of issues and raised further questions as follows –

·         if Cabinet approved the recommendations assurances were given that services would continue as usual in the interim period, including admissions to care homes providing the needs of those individuals could be met

·         officers elaborated further on the case for change  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider a report by Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, Lead Member for Finance, Corporate Plan and Performance (copy enclosed) detailing the latest financial position and progress against the agreed budget strategy.

RESOLVED that Cabinet notes the budgets set for 2016/17 and progress against the agreed budget strategy.

In the absence of Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, the Chief Finance Officer presented the report detailing the latest financial position and progress against the agreed budget strategy.  A summary of the report elements was provided –

·        the council’s revenue budget for 2016/17 with no variances to report at this stage in the financial year – the impact of the 2015/16 year end position was being finalised for includsion in the Final Outturn report to Cabinet in June

·        91% of savings had been achieved in full in 2015/16 with the remaining 9% projected to be achieved in 2016/17 – an initial assessment of the 2016/17 savings would be provided in next month’s regular Cabinet Finance report

·        background on the Welsh Government revenue grant funding position and an update on the revenue grants due to be received in 2016/17

·        highlighted a number of pressures within the overall budget requiring management action by specific services

·        services permitted to carry forward significant underspends to fund specific projects in the new financial year would be detailed in next month’s Final Outturn report, and

·        a general update on the Housing Revenue Account, Housing Capital Plan and the Capital Plan (including the Corporate Plan element).

The following matters were raised during debate –

·         the final local government settlement had resulted in a cut to the Revenue Support Grant of 1.3% but concerns were expressed that, taking into account cuts to direct grants, the ‘real’ settlement was closer to 1.8%.  Cabinet noted the work of local government finance officers and the WLGA in reviewing this funding element and costs of administering grants and raising awareness of the issue.  The Chief Executive advised that the Leader had requested an early meeting with the new Finance and Local Government Secretary and would include this issue for discussion as an area of concern

·         in response to a question from Councillor Meirick Davies, the Chief Finance Officer explained that the carry forward of service underspends had been approved by Cabinet in principle – with regard to the remedial works at Wigfair, Cefn Meiriadog this scheme had been approved and it was agreed that the Chief Finance Officer provide a written response to Councillor Davies thereon

·         Councillor Huw Jones reported upon suggested changes to the administration of funding for leisure initiatives such as dragon sports believing that local authorities would be disadvantaged as a result

·         in response to a question from Councillor Eryl Williams regarding ‘topslicing’ of the Revenue Support Grant, the Chief Finance Officer advised that a breakdown of specific grants affected could not be provided as there was no evidence trail

·         a number of specific pressures were highlighted relating to School Transport; North and Mid Wales Trunk Agency Contract; Community Services inflationary pressures and the growing number of Schools moving to deficit balances.  In respect of School Transport officers provided an update on the need to review the policy following a series of challenges and for it to be funded appropriately.  The shortage of nursing care was also flagged up as a significant challenge and pressure which needed to be addressed.

RESOLVED that Cabinet notes the budgets set for 2016/17 and progress against the agreed budget strategy.

To receive the enclosed Cabinet Forward Work Programme and note the contents.

RESOLVED that Cabinet’s Forward Work Programme be noted.

The Cabinet Forward Work Programme was presented for consideration and members noted the following –

·         a report on the former North Wales Hospital, Denbigh (Compulsory Purchase Order) would be added to the work programme once a clearer indication of timescales was known

·         a report on Faith Based Secondary Provision would added to the work programme for July

RESOLVED that Cabinet’s Forward Work Programme be noted.

RESOLVED that under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the Press and Public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

To consider a confidential report by Councillor David Smith, Lead Member for Public Realm (copy enclosed) seeking Cabinet’s approval to award a single contract for residual waste disposal and a single contract for composting of green waste.

RESOLVED that Cabinet approve the award of a single contract for residual waste disposal and a single contract for composting of green waste to the named tenderers as detailed within the report.

Councillor David Smith presented the confidential report seeking Cabinet approval to award a single contract for residual waste disposal and a single contract for composting of green waste to the most economically advantageous tenderer as detailed within the report in accordance with Contract Procedure Rules.

An interim contract was required to take the Council towards the point at which the regionally procured facility became available (currently estimated in 2019).  Details of the bids received together with the scoring mechanism had been provided for each of the contracts following which officers had recommended the award of the contracts to specific tenderers as detailed within the report.  The Lead Member and officers responded to questions from members regarding the treatment facilities and disposal options.  Councillor Eryl Williams suggested a press release highlighting that residual waste would not be disposed of to landfill in future.

RESOLVED that Cabinet approve the award of a single contract for residual waste disposal and a single contract for composting of green waste to the named tenderers as detailed within the report.

The meeting concluded at 12.40 p.m.