Agenda and draft minutes

Members were informed that due to technical issues the Vice Chair Judith Greenhalgh (DCC) would Chair the meeting. The Chair Sian Williams was in attendance on the phone (NRW).

Apologies for absence were received from:

Teresa Owen – Public Health Wales

Councillor Sam Rowlands – Conwy County Borough Council

Nicola Kneale – Denbighshire County Council

Steve Price (DCC) confirmed that an update to PSB membership had commenced.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 09 December 2019 (copy enclosed).

The minutes of the Conwy and Denbighshire Public Services Board held on 09 December 2019, were submitted for approval.

Matters Arising –

Page 6 – Matters Arising – it was confirmed that the representative from Town and Community Councils was to be an elected member. It was heard One Voice Wales would lead work on this. It was agreed that the elected members would be invited to PSB once decided.

RESOLVED that, subject to the above, the minutes of the Conwy and Denbighshire Public Services Board meeting held on 09 December, 2019, be approved as a correct record.

To receive the PSB Annual Report 2018/19 (copy attached).

The Chair will lead on this item.

2.10 p.m – 2.25 p.m.

Judith Greenhalgh (DCC) introduced the Annual PSB Report for 2018/19.

Fran Lewis (CCBC) provided a brief overview of the report, it was requested members commented on the report and approved its contents.

It was explained that this was the second annual report produced by the PSB committee. The contents within the report for 2018/19 provided members with more succinct information that aligned work against the PSB priorities. Members were guided through the report and the actions that are ongoing.

Members highlighted the number of amber actions in the report. Due to the current circumstances surrounding the Covid -19 Pandemic, members understood further work in these areas would have been completed. It was heard that members felt the work completed had been in line with the current PSB priorities with a lot of work and progress made in these areas.

RESOLVED that, the PSB Annual Report 2018/19 be approved.

To discuss the well- being priorities in light of the covid-19 pandemic, and whether changes are needed (copy attached).

The Chair will lead on this item.

2.25 p.m - 3.35 p.m.

Iolo McGregor (DCC) introduced the report (previously circulated) to enable PSB members to reach consensus on the commitment to its current priorities in light of the covid-19 pandemic, and whether changes are needed.  Members were guided through the report and the two appendices including the process if changes are agreed.

Sian Williams (NRW) highlighted the LRS priorities and Recovery from Covid- 19, with a request for PSB to look at the community resilience and support for local communities. The Chair gave members a brief background on the Regional Recovery Board (RRB). It was stated the board looked at a dramatic approach to issues and situations following the Covid-19 pandemic including looking at recovery and potential planning for a second spike of cases.  The RRB had 4 main areas of focus these being:

1 - Track, Trace and Protect work;

2 – Health and Social Care recovery;

3 – Economy and Tourism;

4 – Community resilience.

The RRB would be asking PSB to consider community resilience alongside its priorities to add value to community recovery.

Member thanked officers for the detailed report and appendices. It was acknowledged the difficulty to change priorities. Members were in agreement that the current PSB priorities hold true and are still relevant to the local community. It was felt that elements of the current priorities are even more important and relevant in the current climate.  Emphasis on mental health within the community was strongly made.

Bethan Jones (Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board - Area Director), made a suggestion that a different emphasis within the priorities was required, making particular reference to digital exclusion, mental health and inward migration. Members discussed these suggestions in more detail. It was noted the importance of technology and to be digitally engaged had been observed during recent months. Members raised concerns that not all members of the public had access to technology or have the ability to connect to technology.  Reference to issues around rural community’s not having access I.T and technology was made.

An emphasis on the long term effects on mental health of all ages within the community was made. The impact around the long term educational effect on young children and the developmental needs that may arise from the pandemic was discussed. 

Members discussed the increase in people moving to North Wales, could increase issues such as homelessness, employment and impact on local residents.

It was felt these could all fit into the current priorities that the PSB hold.

The Chair reminded members of the three current priorities that the PSB hold these being:

a. People – Supporting good mental well-being for all ages
b. Community – Supporting community empowerment
c. Place – Supporting environmental resilience.

It was highlighted that Welsh Government had sent a letter to all PSB, to request involvement in the discussions regarding regional planning for recovery in response to Covid.

Members agreed that the three high level areas of the current priorities were still appropriate and relevant. The committee looked at each of the three priorities individually and discussed any amendments.

People – Members were in agreement to include mental well-being of individuals in particular looking at the mental well-being of young people, it was felt PSB had a role to monitor and research the impact of Covid. Equally it as felt the right balance of research into the impact on mental well-being of all ages within the community was required. It was felt looking at this at a local level and regional level would be important.

It was agreed my members to request further research into the four principle  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Fran Lewis (CCBC) will lead the discussion on this item (Copy attached).

a. Community Wealth Building, The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES);

b. PSB’s Civic Mission, Glyndwr University

3.35 p.m. – 3.45 p.m.

Fran Lewis (CCBC) guided members through the documents (previously circulated). 

a. Community Wealth Building, The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES) -

It was explained the first correspondence had been due to presented to members in March. Further correspondence had since been received to ask if PSB members and officers felt it was required. The letter had invited PSB members to attend a workshop, designed to look at community wealth building in Conwy and Denbighshire.  A formal response from members had been requested.

During discussion members highlighted work had begun to address local economic recovery in Conwy and Denbighshire. Progression had been made from other services in both authorities, with emphasis on the importance of procurement being highlighted.  Work regionally in this area would be valuable.  It was noted that a procurement representative from all authorities attends a North Wales Social Value forum that included work done regionally and locally in this area. Members felt the best forum to address this work would be the Economic development aspect of the recovery programme of work.

b. PSB’s Civic Mission, Glyndwr University – An invitation (copy attached) to invite PSB members to a Workshop facilitated by Glyndwr University to discuss social inequality. It was highlighted positive feedback from Flintshire and Wrexham following a similar workshop had included work at reviewing and addressing their PSB priorities. 

The Chair suggested that more information and further detail on the information within the workshop was needed. Members agreed for the Chair Sian Williams (NRW) to contact Glyndwr University and Ken Perry the presenter for further information.

RESOLVED that;

       I.                Members agreed to refer this work  to the NWEAB;

      II.                Sian Williams to contact Ken Perry to request further information and provide members feedback.  

The Chair will lead on this item (Copy attached).

a.      C&D PSB Action Tracker

b.   Forward Work Plan - Blank

3.35 p.m. – 3.45 p.m.

The Public Services Board (PSB) Action tracker and Forward Work Programme (FWP) (previously circulated) was presented for consideration. 

Members commented on the one red action from the PSB Action Tracker. It was noted the action was dated December 2018. Following discussed members concluded that the action had superseded and could be marked as complete.

The next scheduled meeting of the PSB was confirmed to be 21^st September 2020. It was agreed that the meeting would be held remotely. Members concluded the following items were to be included on the FWP for the next meeting:

·         Revised PSB Priorities;

·         Update on PSB themes;

·         Feedback report from recovering stands and committees.

·         TTP performance (for information)

Councillor Hugh Evans raised concerns of the regional Track, Trace and Protect (TTP) arrangements in relation to a second wave. To enable members to have more of a local understanding about work completed locally to reduce the risk in Conwy and Denbighshire.  Members agreed to request a report on the performance of the TTP in Conwy and Denbighshire at the next meeting.   

RESOLVED that the Forward Work programme be approved with the updates as above.

Copy attached for information.

For information only.

Copy attached for information.

For information only.

Copy attached for information.

For information only.

At the junction the Chair Sian Williams thanked Judith Greenhalgh Vice-Chair for Chairing the meeting.

The meeting concluded at 4.00 p.m.