Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Graham Boase (DCC), Leader, Councillor Jason McLellan (DCC), IoIo McGregor (DCC), Elgan Owen (CCBC)

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on the 13 March 2024 (copy attached).

The minutes of the meeting held on the 13 March 2024 were submitted. It was:

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting held on the 13 March 2024 be received and approved as a true and correct record of the proceedings.

The Chair to lead on the discussions for Chair and Vice Chair nominations.

2.10pm- 2.20pm

Nominations were sought for the appointment of Chair of the Conwy and Denbighshire Public Services Board for 2024/25. It was proposed and seconded that, Leader; Councillor Jason McLellan (DCC) be appointed Chair. There were no further nominations.

Nominations were sought for the appointment of Vice-Chair of the Conwy and Denbighshire Public Services Board for 2024/25. It was proposed and seconded that Councillor Charlie McCoubrey (CCBC) be appointed Vice-Chair. There were no further nominations.

RESOLVED: that Leader, Councillor Jason McLellan be appointed Chair and Councillor Charley McCoubrey be appointed Vice-Chair of the Conwy and Denbighshire Public Services Board for 2024/25.

To receive the Public Service Board Annual Report 2023/24 report from Councillor Jason McLellan (copy attached).

2.20pm – 2.35pm.

The Public Services Board Development Manager guided the Board through the Public Services Board (PSB) annual report 2023/24.

The 2023/24 annual report provided an overview of what the Board had achieved during the first year of the latest Well-being Plan. It was important that the PSB was accountable to the public and the report helped the PSB to self-reflect on where they felt they were making a difference, in line with the 5 ways of working as well as outlining the Board’s future direction.

The guidance provided for the Act specified that the annual report must detail the activity the Board had taken to meet the objectives set out in their well-being plan. However, the report could also include any other information the Board thought would be appropriate. Therefore, the report also outlined –

·       Achievements in the past year

·       Other areas of work

·       The Boards reflections after this year and looking forward; and

·       How people could get involved.

The annual report also detailed some key contextual measures which were relevant to the well-being themes. These were high level indicators that qualified why the themes were still a priority for the PSB and helped focus discussion going forward.

The Board was required to send a copy of their annual report to Welsh Ministers and the Boards designated overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The main achievements during 2023-2024 included –

Enhance PSB structures and governance:

The Introduction of informal meetings. This was an opportunity to facilitate networking for all members, helping to build trust and speak candidly on issues and challenges that were being faced, there was also a review of the Board’s Terms of Reference.

Partner organisations’ common risks and issues were discussed which may have an impact on the delivery of the Board’s Well-being Plan aspirations. It was felt there was a value in exploring these emergent risks and issues as a North Wales region with other PSBs.

Development of `whole systems` and collaborative region-wide approaches:

Presentations on Whole Systems Thinking were received from Public Health Wales (both the local and national teams). This helped in exploring the ways this approach could be applied towards the ambition to play a greater leadership role.

Following on from initial discussions, a systems mapping exercise was undertaken to evaluate the next steps for delivering the Well-being Plan. This was to identify the system beliefs and goals that could be taken ownership of as PSB Members, and system structures and events for organisations to take a lead on.

This approach was helping to ensure the most added value was received from the PSB and the transformative change wanting to be achieved.

Working with Communities:

A collaboratively developed engagement mission statement was adopted. Work was continuing to develop a community engagement plan as part of the next steps.

Work was currently ongoing with Wrexham University to undertake an engagement project within two communities in Conwy and Denbighshire (Pensarn and Bruton Park in Rhyl). The project was ongoing and was using creative methods (such as artwork, photography and video) to support communities tell their stories of what it looks like and feels like to live in their community.

Engagement had taken place with diverse communities to understand their difficulties and explore the ways the Public Sector could help empower people into employment. A number of barriers and suggested actions were identified and were being taken forward. The work was undertaken regionally on behalf of the three North Wales PSBs.

Progression of key PSB initiatives:

There was a commitment to progress the Healthy Travel Charter within all organisations, by conducting a baseline assessment of organisations’ current activity against  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To receive a verbal update on the Climate Change Risk Assessment from Mike Corcoran and Caryl Lewis, Co-Production Network.

2.35pm – 2.45pm.

Mike Corcoran from Co-Production Network gave a verbal update on the Climate Change Risk Assessment informal meeting discussion to the Board.

The meeting focused on three discussion topics: In what way would undertaking a Climate Change Assessment help the PSB to advance its Well-being Plan, what the opportunities were for the PSB to consider when conducting a Climate Change Risk Assessment, and what was the best approach to progress any opportunities identified at local, regional and community level.

The key themes from the discussions within the meeting were that

there was a need for clarity around the brief, what the specific statutory obligation was with regards to the Climate Change Risk Assessment and clarity as to whether undertaking a Climate Change Risk Assessment was a choice or an obligation for PSBs.

There was a discussion regarding the risks broadly associated with the work. Conversations around ensuring that there was a clear understanding of the risks associated with conducting and not conducting a Climate Change Risk Assessment. It was acknowledged that there was a risk of retro fitting a climate change risk assessment around a published and agreed well-being plan. It was also acknowledged that there would be a resource burden associated with undertaking and implementing the plan and this was something that the PSB must acknowledge.

There was discussion about the prudence of potentially adopting a North Wales wide approach to risk assessments and this was being actively discussed in neighbouring PSBs currently.

It was noted that there were many local plans and assessments relating to Climate Change which were already established, and it was a strategic regional overview which was now needed.

Regarding a holistic approach, it was recognised that the Climate Change issue was far bigger than the remit for PSBs alone however, the opportunity was acknowledged to connect through the Public Services Board the climate change risk within all other areas such as economics and social, cultural and environmental well-being.

Regarding the Partnership approach, a number of key bodies were listed in which Leadership would be aspiring to connect with to develop a close working relationship.

To conclude, there was a discussion around engagement and community involvement in any Climate Change Risk Assessment work and the potential for the PSB to connect with local organisations that work within climate action to bring their expertise into this work.

The Chair gave his thanks for the overview and questions were welcomed from members.

Members commented that clarity of what was expected of the PSB was beneficial and suggested researching the work of Pembrokeshire PSB would be valuable.

RESOLVED: that the Climate Change Risk Assessment – Overview of Informal Discussion be received.

To receive a verbal update on the Shaping Places in Wales Programme.

2.45pm – 2.55pm.

The Consultant in Public Health officer gave a verbal update on the Shaping Places in Wales Programme to the Board.

A two-day event was held in Cardiff where 45 representatives from 11 PSBs attended to take part in different activities on the themes, Climate, Poverty and Neighbourhood. Positive feedback from the event had been received and the next event would be held in July 2024. Communication would be sent out to members in the coming week regarding the dates of events for the rest of 2024.

The Chair thanked the Consultant in Public Health for the update

RESOLVED: that the Shaping Places in Wales update be noted.

To receive a verbal update from Dr Rachel Hughes (Wrexham University) on Community Narratives Project for Pensarn and Bruton Park, Rhyl.

2.55pm – 3.05pm.

Unfortunately, Dr Hughes could not attend the meeting, the Public Services Board Development Manager informed the Board that both the Pensarn and the Bruton Park Rhyl Projects were in their early stages and a detailed update would be given at the PSBs September meeting.

RESOLVED: that the Community Narratives Project Update be noted and deferred to the PSBs September meeting.

To consider the Conwy and Denbighshire Public Services Board Forward Work Plan (copy attached).

3.05pm – 3.10pm.

The Public Services Board Forward Work Programme was presented.

RESOLVED: that the Conwy and Denbighshire Public Services Board approve the Forward Work Programme.

           Meeting concluded at 3pm