Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Y V Jardine, D J Lewis, H M Morris and L V Walton.

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, no interests were declared.

To approve the Minutes of the Minutes of the Engagement and Inclusion Cabinet Advisory Committee held on 4 February 2015.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Engagement and Inclusion Cabinet Advisory Committee held on 4 February 2015 be approved as a correct record.

Matters Arising

It was commented that the presentation received at the previous meeting regarding domestic abuse had not been circulated and requested that this be done as soon as possible.

The Chair, as Councillor Champion for Diversity updated the Committee on her role, the activities she had undertaken and the outlook going forward.  She made reference to a recent meeting with the Welsh Government Minister, Leighton Andrews AM regarding diversity.  The Minister has requested that Diversity Champions contact communities, particularly ethnic minorities, disabled and women with regards to contributing to politics. 

Members debated the issues raised by the Councillor Champion. 

An update will be provided at the next meeting following a further meeting with the Welsh Minister at the end of March 2015.

RESOLVED that the contents of the report be noted.

The Social Care Planning Officer - Carers provided a detailed and informative presentation regarding communication with carers.  It was outlined that the City and were committed to supporting unpaid carers in our area.  In recognition of the number of unpaid carers in Swansea (over 30,000) and significant levels of support they provide to relatives, friends, and neighbours, the Authority currently commission a range of support services for a variety of service providers.  This was in addition to ongoing Social Services interventions where staff such as Social Workers and Community Connectors regularly identify and support carers on a daily basis.

Details provided included:

·         Carers Rights Day

·         Carers Week

·         Swansea Carers Action Group

·         Carers Planning Group

·         Carers Measure - Action Plan

·         E-Learning resource for staff

It was added that it was considered that the induction training for City and County of Swansea staff included a specific session on carers and the induction packs also included information on carers.  Further information was provided regarding commissioned services, this included:

·         General support - Swansea Carers Centre.

·         Day Services - Ty Conway Caring Break Service, Hafal, and Cwmbwrla Day Centre.

·         Respite at Home Services - the Alzheimer’s Society Support at Home Service, Ty Conway Support at Home Service, SNPT Crossroads Support at Home Service, Emergency Respite at Home and SNPT Crossroads 72 hour/3 months Emergency Respite.

·         Swansea Care and Repair.

·         Carers Grant Fund.

·         Voluntary/Community Carers Support Group.

The Committee asked a number of questions of the officer who responded accordingly.  Discussions centred around the following:

·         Classification of individuals needing care;

·         Respite care services available;

·         Clubs/groups/societies that provide services for carers;

·         Carers assessments undertaken;

·         Provision for respite services;

·         Services provided for young carers;

·         The difficulty in reaching communicating with all carers.

AGREED that the contents of the presentation be noted.

The Chair presented an updated Engagement and Inclusion Cabinet Advisory Committee Work Programme for 2014/15.  She stated that the report regarding engagement with Council staff would be reported to the next meeting.  Furthermore the Cabinet Member for Wellbeing and Healthy City had requested the Committee examines smoking and obesity and the impact of cumulative impact areas within the city centre.  The Cabinet Member for Transformation and Performance had also requested the Committee investigates the appraisals system within the Authority.

The Chair added that it was considered that the Committee title should be amended to Equalities, Inclusion and Prevention Cabinet Advisory Committee and that this would be submitted to the Annual Meeting of Council and altered to commence in the new Municipal Year.

AGREED that:

(1)       the contents of the report be noted;

(2)       the additional items be included in the Work Plan;

(3)       the title of the Committee be amended to Equalities Inclusion and   Prevention Cabinet Advisory Committee at the Annual Meeting of       Council to commence at the start of the new Municipal Year.

·         1 April 2015;

·         29 April 2015.

NOTED the dates of future meetings for the remainder of the 2014/15 Municipal Year.