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APOLOGIES To receive any apologies for absence. Additional documents: Minutes: Councillors
Alan Jones Evans (p.m.), Alwyn Gruffydd (p.m.), Siân
Wyn Hughes (a.m.), Linda Ann Wyn Jones (p.m.), Siôn
Wyn Jones, W. Tudor Owen, Peter Read,
Neil Foden (Teachers’ Union) and Morwena
Edwards (Corporate Director) - (a.m./p.m.). |
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DECLARATION OF PERSONAL INTEREST To receive any declaration of personal interest. Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Selwyn Griffiths
declared a personal interest in Item 6 – Trac Scheme,
as his daughter in law had been appointed as part of the scheme’s workforce,
however he would not be withdrawing from the Chamber as it was not a
prejudicial interest. |
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URGENT BUSINESS To note any items that are a
matter of urgency in the view of the Chairman for consideration. Additional documents: |
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The Chairman shall propose that the minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on the 4 June 2015, be signed as a true copy. Additional documents: Minutes: The Chair signed the minutes of
the previous meeting of this committee that took place on 4 June 2015. |
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To consider a report by the Education Cabinet Member’s report on the above. Additional documents: Minutes: (a) The
Cabinet Member for Education's report was submitted outlining the background of
the above scheme that was led by the six local authorities to provide skills
and suitable support to the County's most vulnerable pupils and young people. (b) It
was explained that Denbighshire County Council lead on the management and
monitoring of the regional business scheme and they were financed via the
European Social Fund with the intention of commencing the scheme in September
2015 until August 2018 with the possibility of extension until August
2020. It was explained that the aim of
the scheme would be to “adopt a method of implementation to identify vulnerable
pupils early and respond to their needs by providing a suitable curriculum and
support for them”. (c) Committee
Members were given an opportunity to ask questions and the Cabinet Member for
Education and the officers responded as follows: ·
Eight posts were part of the scheme with the
Manager already appointed to commence in November. It was explained that six of
the posts were operational and two had the title of Education Social Workers
who would be able to work with families with children to overcome obstacles
that do not meet with the Social Services needs criteria. The other four posts
would focus on attendance, youth workers to inspire children and young people
to gain accreditations and a sports worker who would be part of a team to
target the needs of young people and support them to continue in education when
they had left school. ·
That match funding was contributed from the
service that was already in schools in terms of the inclusion strategy,
supporting children in mainstream, welfare service and the central behaviour
support service. ·
They would be targeting children from Year 7
upwards and could support pupils along their educational journey and especially
during transition at 16 years old and this would assist pupils to make
decisions earlier regarding their careers.
·
It was confirmed that 480 pupils from Gwynedd
was the number of participants who were at risk and it was explained that they
had been identified via the engagement framework ·
In terms of qualifications, it was emphasised
that the relevant officers would work with children daily and in addition that
training with a wide number of courses would be available to them for
employment. ·
That the number of disaffected children was
lower in Gwynedd in terms of the NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training)
percentage namely approximately 7 – 8%, however, it was explained that the Trac scheme would address the needs of children once they
had left Colleges and were unable to gain employment. · In terms of training implications to school staff, it was explained that school staff were very well versed in the fields in question but were under increasing pressure and this scheme would lighten the load of schools by having an officer to work for an extended period jointly with the children. It was not anticipated that it would be necessary to train school ... view the full minutes text for item 5. |
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CONDITIONS FOR LEADERSHIP AND ALTERNATIVE MODELS PDF 272 KB To consider a report by the Education Cabinet Member on the above. Additional documents: Minutes: (a) The Cabinet Member for Education's
report was presented outlining the project to improve the conditions for
leadership in order to raise standards. (b) Reference was made to the project’s aim
that would look at five specific fields, namely: ·
Commission a report on the leadership and
management conditions within the County’s schools and implement the agreed
recommendations ·
Monitor and challenge every school and use all
the available powers at the authority’s disposal to improve leadership and
management at underperforming schools. ·
Develop managers and prospective managers within
services and identify future leaders ·
Develop a strong school to school system and
ensure that arrangements are in place to share best practice and avoid
duplication; and ·
Ensure that capital investment leads to
improving leadership and management conditions. (c) The
next steps were elaborated upon and the intention to conduct a further meeting
with Independent Consultants with international experience in the field and
they would welcome the opportunity to interview members of the Services
Scrutiny Committee as part of their research. (ch) Members were given an opportunity to ask
questions and the following observations were made: (i)
Do the problems with recruitment only deal with
a small section of the County and would joining with other Counties not be of
benefit when sharing expertise? In response, it
was explained that the County’s geographical nature was huge and challenging as
the needs of different areas of the County were quite different. The intention
of the Education Department was to re-establish Area Offices in order to
conduct local discussions to satisfy the needs of the children. In terms of the
development of individuals as leaders, especially in the smallest schools, they
had to be given an opportunity to lead on strategic areas in order to show
experience in different fields for the NPQH qualification. (ii)
Was there evidence that some schools compete
against each other for pupils? In response, it
was noted that if there was joint-ownership of the project to improve
leadership and management then an eye should be kept to ensure that every
catchment-area was dealt with fairly. (iii)
In terms of agreeing on the attainment levels of
pupils during the transition from primary to secondary it was noted that the
current information on any child had to be correct from the initial step
through the educational stage. It was noted further that assessment was a
continuous discussion, however, for a successful transition between primary and
secondary there had to be an understanding and the interpretation of the
criteria had to be clear. (iv)
In response to concern regarding the findings by
parents that some schools were more Anglicised and as a result numbers were
reducing in some catchment-areas, it was noted that it was a challenge to
reconcile the implementation of the language policy. Again, in the same manner discussion could
be conducted locally in order to ensure that children have the same type of
experience and provision. (v) In the context of the federalisation of primary and secondary schools in the future, ... view the full minutes text for item 6. |
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SCRUTINY INVESTIGATION REPORT ON WELSH-MEDIUM EDUCATION PDF 772 KB To consider
a report of the Scrutiny Investigation on Welsh-medium education. Additional documents:
Minutes: (a) The report of the Scrutiny Investigation on Welsh-medium education was submitted. This investigated into the reality and performance of Welsh language education in Gwynedd. (b) Councillor Alwyn Gruffydd, Chairman of
the Scrutiny Investigation Group, reported that the investigation had
concentrated on three catchment-areas, namely Ardudwy,
Bangor and Botwnnog due to the linguistic demography
of the three specific areas. They looked at how the authority’s Language Policy
was implemented at grassroots level in individual schools and the extent to
which the provision assists in promoting the social use of Welsh by children
and young people. Attention was drawn to the attached appendices
which stated how they had come to a conclusion and recommendations. It was recognised that excellent work was
undertaken in schools; however, there was always room for improvement to ensure
the continuation of Welsh within and outside its curtilage. (c) In conclusion, the Investigation’s
Chairman took the opportunity to thank his fellow members and the officers for
a comprehensive and clear report. He
also thanked everyone who had been part of the Investigation by openly sharing
their experiences. (ch) During the ensuing discussion the
following points were highlighted: by individual Members: (i)
Concern was expressed of what was being
implemented in private schools in the County with more and more pupils leaving
these schools without any Welsh. In response
to the above, it was explained that the public sector had to follow the
national curriculum, however the independent sector had freedom, in accordance
with Section 163 of the Inspection Department, to offer a wide curriculum where
Welsh did not have to be part of that curriculum. It was noted that the education authority did
not have supervision over them but they could contact the Welsh Government /
ESTYN to find out what are the requirements of the specific Section of the Act
and if the inspectorate measured in accordance with local needs. (ii)
Children made good progress at the Latecomers
Centres however, frustration was expressed that the taxi drivers of pupils to
and from these centres were not Welsh speakers. It was suggested that a request should be made
to the companies who win the transport contracts that it is essential for the
drivers to be able to speak Welsh. In response,
it was confirmed that the Education Service would investigate the above. (d) It was noted for information to Members that an application
had been received from the Welsh Government for the authority to share the
Language Charter across Wales. (dd) The Cabinet Member for Education thanked
the Scrutiny Investigation for the thorough work undertaken by them and all the
recommendations were welcomed and accepted. Resolved: (a) To
accept the contents of the report and approve the recommendations submitted to
the Cabinet Member for Education and to request that he submits a progress
report on the actions within six months.
(b) To request that the Lead Officer of the Scrutiny Investigation shares the findings of the Scrutiny Investigation with the County’s schools and language ... view the full minutes text for item 7. |
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EDUCATION SUPPORT SERVICES SCRUTINY INVESTIGATION - DRAFT BRIEF PDF 380 KB To consider a brief in respect of the above scrutiny investigation. Additional documents: Minutes: (a) A draft brief was submitted to undertake
a scrutiny investigation into the Educational Support Services and the Senior
Corporate Commissioning Service Manager outlined the contents of the brief. (b) The brief was welcomed by Members and in response to a query
regarding the timetable it was noted that it was expected that the
investigation would be achieved in approximately six to nine months. Resolved: (a) To
accept and approve the draft brief (b) To
nominate the following Members to serve on the Education Support Services
Scrutiny Investigation: Councillor
Beth Lawton (Vice-chair of the Services Scrutiny Committee) Councillor
Selwyn Griffiths Councillor
Alwyn Gruffydd Councillor Eirwyn Williams Councillor R
H Wyn Williams Member to be
nominated from the Arfon area (with Councillor Hefin Williams in reserve if
needed) |
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SOCIAL SERVICES ANNUAL COMPLAINTS REPORT 2014-15 PDF 204 KB To consider a report by the Social Services: Adult and Health Cabinet Member on the above. Additional documents:
Minutes: (a) The annual report was submitted by the
Cabinet Member for Social Services, Adults and Health, giving an overview of the
statistics and the main issues that had stemmed from complaints during the
2014-2015 together with a response to questions asked by the Members of this
Scrutiny Committee at its preparatory meeting on 28 July. (b) Members were reminded that the
complaints procedure was statutory and outside the Council’s corporate
complaints procedure. (c) Members were afforded an opportunity to ask questions and the
Cabinet Member and the officers responded appropriately as follows: (i)
That the statutory Social Services complaints
procedure was separate to the corporate complaints procedure and dealt directly
with the care of individuals, however, complaints were received outside the
statutory procedure and in these cases they would be dealt with under the
corporate complaints system. It was
explained that there were two steps to the Social Services complaints
procedure, namely step 1 - local response and step 2 appointing the services of
an independent investigator to investigate the complaint. (ii)
In response to a concern highlighted regarding a
failure to provide specialist equipment such as purpose-built beds for patients
requiring care at home and specifically in terraced housing in the Blaenau Ffestiniog area, it was noted that the Service was aware of
the issue and it was the subject of a discussion with the Health Board. (iii)
The officers noted the comments that it was
necessary to interpret the responsibilities of the Health Board and Social
Services because of the lack of clarity amongst the County's residents and it
would be further considered how this issue can be addressed. (iv)
Regarding patients being sent to Community
Hospitals rather than to residential care homes, it was explained that the
solution to this matter was difficult due to the need to try and give the
correct support to families. (v)
A concern highlighted regarding a taxi
travelling from the north of the County to the south to transport a patient to
a local hospital and the matter would receive attention jointly with the Health
Board if the Member submitted additional information to the Head of the Adults,
Health and Well-being Department. (vi)
That a special complaints form for children and
young people was ready and would be launched soon and it was further noted that
there was a separate sheet for adults that was already being used. (vii)
In response to a comment that the number of
enquiries was higher than the complaints and vulnerable people were perhaps
less likely to complain, it was noted that although every enquiry / comment
were noted as a complaint, it was ensured that the Service would try to resolve
the enquiries. (viii) In terms of the comment made that clear communication should be ensured with users regarding arrangements to pay for care, from the complaints submitted it was seen that discussions had been undertaken but no written evidence had been recorded. Assurance was given that a piece of work was proceeding in this ... view the full minutes text for item 9. |
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END TO END - ADULTS PDF 134 KB To consider a report by the Social Services: Adults and Health Cabinet Member on the above. Additional documents:
Minutes: (a) The Cabinet Member for Social Services, Adults and Health
presented a draft report on the End to End review of older people’s services. (b) A presentation was
received from the Head of Adults, Health and Wellbeing Services in a slide
format and he noted that the direction set for the review was not new with much
of it based on existing arrangements and the Council’s resolutions over the
last few years. Attention was drawn to
the vision, nature of the vision and a series of service principles. It was
further noted that specific requirements had been set under the Social Services
and Well-being Act (2014) and attention had to be drawn that the percentage of
the older population was increasing. In
the future the budget would be significantly less than in the past and it would
be necessary to keep an eye on the impact of this. (c) He referred to the
review’s methodology and noted the following fundamental steps: 1.
Good
Practice – to learn lessons from others on pioneering methods of operation
accepting there is no one best method in every case or field. There are several methods that may work and it
will be necessary to be wise and choose what would be appropriate and best for
Gwynedd. 2. Comparison – mainly with the
‘family’ of comparative authorities to measure progress / Gwynedd’s
performance. 3. Look at the progress not only with
hard data but also in terms of gathering information and response at a local
level. Regarding well-being and managing
the demand, it was noted: 1. That well-being was a
responsibility across the Council, not a matter for Care Services / Social
Services only and well-being needed to be considered before profound problems
occurred. 2. The need to use intervention and
prevention as early steps on their own but these could also make an important
contribution towards managing the demand for formal care services. 3.
There
was no one general ideal answer to shape frontline services. Also integrated
methods could be included such as Ffordd Gwynedd work
at Ysbyty Alltwen and the
third sector contribution. 4. That the relationship with
communities received specific attention in the Council’s Strategic Plan. Resources will have to be directed to achieve
this and it had to be accepted that neither Gwynedd nor any other local
authority would succeed without strengthening this element of the Service. 5. That restructuring the Department
was key to the provision of services in a new way and to meet with the
expectations of the Act and those of service users. In the context of the development
of social work practice, it was explained 1.
That it was inevitable that social work practice
would change in order to respond to the
requirements of the Act and the need to transform services 2.
Evidence indicated that culture and standard of
the work practice were key to find
appropriate and better methods to meet the needs of individuals. 3. It was necessary to try and support individuals ... view the full minutes text for item 10. |
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REPORT ON CARE CHALLENGE PROJECT PDF 190 KB To consider a report by the Social Services: Adults and Health Cabinet Member on the above. Additional documents:
Minutes: (a) A report on the Care Challenge project was submitted. This project was one of the projects of the
Council’s Strategic Plan and was crucial to transform social services in
response to the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act and the challenging
financial agenda that they were facing.
(b) The Cabinet Member for Social Services: Adults and Health
explained that it was proposed to conduct Focus Groups with Members on 29
September between 2.00 – 4.00 pm at Porthmadog and
work was on-going to engage with users, key partners and communities. (c) Observations by Members
were requested on the project brief and an appeal was made for them to take
part in the Focus Group on 29 September.
(ch) During the ensuing discussion the
following points were highlighted: by individual Members: (i)
Concern that private care homes were closing due
to the inability to recruit staff (ii)
A Member noted that specialist nurses were
available and wanted to work and consideration should be given to the method of
recruitment by offering additional financial incentives to work night shifts,
travelling costs etc., and therefore it would not be necessary to recruit
nurses from overseas. This would also
ensure the use of the Welsh language which was so important to the older
generation. (iii)
Administrative work had increased compared with
the past when nurses could focus on caring for patients, however by today they
were expected to undertake a great deal of administrative work as well as
nursing. (iv)
Disappointment that only one session was offered
to the Focus Group. (d) The Cabinet Member for Social Services: Adults and Health and
the officer responded to the above and noted: ·
It was recognised that it was difficult to recruit
but an assurance was given that the work was being commissioned by the Local
Services Board together with further work with Bangor University in terms of
having the provision of a School of Medicine. ·
That it was proposed to conduct more sessions
with the Focus Group, however it was difficult to find a suitable date for all. ·
It was confirmed that the e-mail will be sent
once more to Members to remind them of the date of the first session of the
Focus Group on 29 September, where ideas would be discussed. Resolved: To accept and note the contents of the report. |