Agenda and minutes

http://www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

Disclosures of interest – Chris Holley

Katrina Guntrip and Tony Beddow were confirmed as co-optees on the Panel

To receive the notes of the previous meeting and agree as an accurate record.

The Panel agreed the notes as an accurate record of the meeting.

Questions must relate to matters on the Agenda and will be dealt with in a 10 minutes period.

No members of the public were present at the meeting.

Alex Williams, Head of Adult Services

Jon Franklin, LAC Implementation Manager

Amy Hawkins, Adult Prosperity and Wellbeing Manager, Poverty and Prevention

Jon Franklin, Local Area Coordination Implementation Manager attended to present an update to the Panel and answer questions along with Dave Howes and Alex Williams.

Discussion points:

·       Panel queried the availability of baseline data for preventable need.  Informed need is not recorded and the focus is on strengths and positives and encouraging people to make a contribution to the community.

·       Main reason for people to be referred to a LAC is loneliness. Social connection is important and makes a big difference to health and happiness.

·       Reminded the University undertook an evaluation of LAC after 6 months.  Struggling how to identify if LAC intervention has made a difference as very difficult to measure this need.

·       Concern that ABMU has not invested financially in LAC and the need to look into this.

·       Need to show what LACs do that add value to individuals.  More time is needed before can see if there is value in this approach or if money would be better invested elsewhere.

·       Benefit of LAC is that there are no criteria, LACs can help anyone whatever their needs.

·       Very difficult to measure cost avoidance and prevention.  Data is being recorded and the Department is looking at the best way to present this and how it fits with the National Wellbeing Principles. 

·       Panel wanted to know what is being seen in terms of outcomes and performance for LAC so can see how the money is being spent.  Informed need external support to develop way to measure the benefits.

·       In terms of how LAC works, each LAC has a cohort of clients which are discussed in supervision with the manager.  One coordinator works with between 50 and 60 people at any one time. 

·       Panel queried whether we are in a position to have 2 control groups  - one made up of the 10 areas with a LAC and one made up of the 10 areas without.

·       Panel feels councillors can learn a lot from LACs and the other way round.

·       For the future, there is a need for another 10 coordinators to cover all areas as and when investment can be found. 

The Panel considered the work programme.

Actions:

·       Chair and Chief Executive of ABMU to be invited to attend a meeting to inform the Panel of their vision for Swansea once the number of authorities in ABMU is reduced to two.

·       Panel to decide following August meeting on Performance Monitoring whether to invite an ABMU representative to a future meeting to discuss issues around Continuing Health Care.

·       23 October meeting - Panel members to provide questions in advance of the meeting for item ‘Update on how Council’s policy commitments translate to Adult Services’.

a) Response from Cabinet Member (16 May 2018 meeting)

Letter received and considered by the Panel.