Issue - decisions

Cabinet Lead Member – Councillor Elen Heaton introduced the report (previously circulated) and attendees for this item, Corporate Director: Communities, Modernisation and Wellbeing (NS), Head of Adult Social Care and Homelessness (AL), and Service Manager - Community Support Service Cefndy (NB).

Cefndy organised a site visit for this committee last year which was well received and therefore the majority of members well versed on what Cefndy offered, the Chair therefore opened the discussion for questions. 

Responding to the questions and points raised the Lead Member and officers advised that:

• Despite the challenging financial climate there had been an increase in sales, in a competitive global market and sales were on target for next financial year.
• Cefndy had overcome significant challenges such as supply chain disruptions, heavy inflation pressures, Brexit. The management team were now looking at new products, product development being considered working through older designs first.
• with regard to the enterprise’s carbon footprint, it was unable to have solar panels on the building due to the tree line, however, it had incorporated LED lights, introduced a four day working week to reduce on utility bills which had, saved 15%.  All new equipment had a better carbon footprint.
• with respect of long term viability, there was a need to start looking at career progression within Cefndy. Succession planning was on Denbighshire’s radar, it would support people to develop their skill sets further. The services provided at Cefndy were unique, they were not replicated elsewhere so it did present some challenges to recruit. Engineering college was now open next to Cefndy and therefore work experience and other opportunities would hopefully come through the courses on offer there.
• there were currently no plans to set up an Advisory Board, this would be reviewed as part of the Transformation Agenda, possibly look at having a Task and Finish Group which could include Councillors. However, Cefndy was a Council-run service therefore Councillors could be as involved as they wished with the service.
• Officers would be more than willing to arrange another visit for all councillors (in small groups) to Cefndy.

At the conclusion of the discussion Committee members stated that it would be beneficial to see a good news story posted on Denbighshire Today and on the Council’s social media platforms about Cefndy, what it manufactured, its dedicated workforce and its benefits to the community.  They also requested that future business plans be shared with them.

Following a comprehensive discussion, the Committee:

Resolved: 

(i)  subject to the above observations, and having analysed the performance of Cefndy in relation to its financial, business and social well-being objectives during 2023/24, to receive the report and endorse the progress made in stabilising the enterprise and planning for its future viability;

(ii) that arrangements be made to invite elected members (in manageable sized groups) to visit the Cefndy facility to see the work undertaken there and how it benefits the well-being of its workforce; and

(iii)  that a further report on Cefndy’ s performance during the 2024/25 financial year be presented to the Committee in twelve months’ time.