Cabinet Member: Cllr. W. Gareth Roberts
To consider a report in
response to Care
and Social Services Inspectorate Wales’ (CSSIW) performance evaluation report.
11.30 a.m. – 12.15 p.m.
Minutes:
The Work Programme
was presented that was formulated in response to the Performance Evaluation
Report 2014/15 of the Care and Social Services Inspectorate.
Members were given
an opportunity to scrutinise the work programme and they highlighted the
following points and these were responded to by the relevant officers:
(a)
it was felt that the matters in question had
already been discussed and that there was no progress in term of the timetable
It was explained
that the work programme was responding specifically to what was asked by the
Inspectorate. A comment was received
that it appeared that there had been some slowness over the last few months but
this was for specific reasons and the fact that staff had to look at other ways
of working.
A Member added
that 2/3 of the project had been slow but this was dependent on decisions. It had to be borne in mind that many of the
changes dealt with Department's culture, however, they would welcome a
timetable that stated specific dates in the action plan.
(b) Why were the
Inspectorate currently visiting organisations/ individuals?
It was explained
that the Inspectorate had chosen Gwynedd as one of the six authorities in Wales
to receive an inspection of the learning disabilities service specifically, and
they needed to discuss this with organisations / families and individuals.
(b)
What has happened to the residents of Plas y Bryn Home, Bontnewydd?
It was explained
that the Council and the Health Board had organised to re-locate the residents
of Plas y Bryn to specific wards in hospitals and to
locations across North Wales dependent on the type of care they needed. In addition, some had moved to the home at
Bryn Seiont Newydd In further response to a comment regarding
Bryn Seiont fees, that there had been negotiations
between the Council, the Health Board and the home regarding a standard fee for
individuals placed there.
(ch) That the situation with the closure of the Bryn Llifon Home was a different process and concerned financial
viability and staff recruitment difficulties.
(d) Regarding
staff morale in the Department, the Head confirmed that he was of the opinion
that it was low and it had to be remembered that the Department was going
through significant changes in terms of culture, form and work processes with
the re-structuring causing uncertainty for staff. It was trusted that once the changes were
clear then they would be able to move forward and morale would improve. In terms of the timetable and bearing in
mind that the changes were on a significant scale, it was anticipated that the
situation would take approximately 12-15 months to settle down.
(dd) it was suggested that it would be advantageous to
nominate two or three members from this Scrutiny Committee to assist with
formulating the brief for the strategic plan regarding the arrangements to
assist carers.
(e) The importance
to keep an eye on, and give attention to supporting carers and to remember that
some were schoolchildren, especially when individuals were discharged from
hospital without an assessment.
(f) Concern was
expressed by members, considering the proposed cuts, that the Department would
not be able to cope with all the requirements of the Well-being Act and the
Council would be placed in a situation of special measures.
In response, it
was explained that there were efficiency savings that could be achieved within
the Department and it was recognised that there was waste within some systems
in every service. However, it was noted
that the proposed cuts were in addition to the efficiency savings and of course
this meant that they would have to reduce some services. It was emphasised that
they would try to ensure that any cut would have as little impact as possible
on Gwynedd residents.
(ff) Reference was made to point 4.2 where it was noted that
the two Cabinet Members were vital to ensure the success of the modernisation
programmes and it was asked what would be the role of the Scrutiny Committee in
this.
It was explained
that all the Members were part of the programme of changes that were in the
pipeline in terms of savings and cuts and the requirements of the Social
Services and Well-being Act and that the Cabinet Member Adults, Health and
Well-being made every effort to ensure that the work was being achieved. In addition, the importance of the role of
those scrutinising was noted and this would be undertaken in more than one way
be that by members of this Scrutiny Committee, Corporate Director and the Care
and Social Services Inspectorate Wales to ensure that the Department was moving
in the right direction.
Resolved:
(a) To accept and note the work programme subject to the receipt of a
robust timetable to be implemented and presented to the preparatory meeting of
this Scrutiny Committee on 23 February 2016.
(b)
To nominate the following members to assist the relevant officers and the
Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Well-being to draft a brief for the
strategic plan in relation to assistance for carers:
Councillor Linda Ann Wyn Jones
Councillor R H Wyn Williams
Supporting documents: