Agenda and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

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

To approve and sign the Minutes of the previous meeting(s) as a correct record.  

Agreed that the Minutes of the Swansea Public Services Board Partnership Group meeting held on 16 January 2018 be approved and signed as a correct record.

There were no public questions.

Suzy Richards, Swansea Council, presented the Swansea Public Services Board Local Well-being Plan “Working Together to Build a Better Future”.

She explained that the Local Well-being Plan had been agreed at the Swansea Public Services Board Core Group Meeting on 9 March 2018.The Plan was currently with each of the Statutory Partners for their own organisational sign off.

It was noted by the Board that the timescales between the Consultation ending and agreeing the Plan had been very tight.

The Plan was required to be published by 4 May 2018.

Agreed that the Swansea Public Services Local Well-being Plan approved at the Swansea Public Services Board Core Group meeting on the 9 March 2018 be endorsed.

Suzy Richards, Swansea Council, noted that in addition to the Swansea Public Services Board Well-being Plan, which contained some high level actions, a more detailed action plan would be required.

She advised the Board of the proposed method for producing the action plans. Each of the Four Statutory Partners would lead on one of the four objectives set out in the Plan. Where there were Objectives where collaborative working already existed, namely Objectives 1-3, those existing groups would be utilised to develop an action plan for each of those objectives. In respect of Objective 4 – Strong Communities it was proposed that a Steering Group be set up to develop and agree an action plan. 

The next stage would be to identify the Objective Leads and set up the Steering Group for Objective 4 - Strong Communities. It was noted that whilst there would be separate Objective Leads it was still critical that everyone contributed to all of the objectives.

A discussion ensured regarding the timescales for the production of action plans. There was to be a balance between allowing sufficient time to produce quality plans and maintaining momentum and progress.

The Board expressed concern regarding the duplication of work, particularly for those members who were involved in numerous Well-beings Plans. It was important for the Board link in with work already ongoing.

It was acknowledged that many people had engaged with the Consultation. To  maintain their interest, it was important to continue engaging with the public and informing them of the progress of the Well-being Plan and its associated timelines.

A discussion ensued regarding Local Government – Regional Joint Working in Wales and what impact this would have on the Public Services Board.

The Board thanked Suzy Richards and Penny Gruffydd for their work and commitment.

Agreed that the comments on the Action Plan and Implementation be noted. 

Suzy Richards, Swansea Council, stated that the Statutory Version of the Plan would be published on 4 May 2018 along with a short consultation response document. This would be followed by a more detailed consultation report at a later date. The Plan would be published on the Board’s website and will be circulated to the Board in order for members to publish the Plan on their own websites.

It was noted that multiple versions of the Plan would be available: -

·                The Statutory Version

·                A Youth Version (to be renamed to a more inclusive name - e.g. easy to read / universal / accessible version)

·                An Easy Read Version

·                A Screen Scan version for the visually impaired

Not all versions would be available by the 4 May 2018. In the future there was also the possibility to explore working with students to develop a Short Video Version for use on Social Media.  

There had been a lot of positive feedback on the ‘Youth Version’ which was the preferred version of many. A discussion ensued regarding the various versions, graphics and the most appropriate version to publish. It was agreed while the Statutory Version would remain the full technical document, users would be directed to the renamed ‘Youth Version’ as ‘our front door’. In addition it was proposed that a ‘summary sheet’ of key messages, no longer than two pages, be put together to get across the key messages at a glance, especially on the front line.

There was a brief discussion on approaches to promoting the key messages on the front line.

Agreed that the comments be noted.

Chris Sivers, Director of People, Swansea Council provided an update on the Regional Funding Bid 2018/19. Welsh Government funding had been approved for Public Service Boards for 2018/19 on a regional basis, following the Local Health Board footprint.

A joint bid for the region had been submitted for: -

·                Approximately £15,000 to develop approaches surrounding ‘Easy Read’

·                Approximately £40,000 to fund the existing staff in each Local Authority (Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot & Swansea) to continue to co-ordinate the relevant Public Service Boards.

Agreed that the update be noted.