Agenda and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

No disclosures of interest were received.

No declarations were made.

To receive the minutes of the previous meeting(s) and agree as an accurate record.

Panel agreed the Minutes of the meeting on 30 January 2024 as an accurate record of the meeting.

Questions must be submitted in writing, no later than noon on the working day prior to the meeting. Questions must relate to items on the agenda. Questions will be dealt with in a 10-minute period.

No questions were received.

Kelly Gillings, Regional Director of Transformation

Louise Gibbard, Cabinet Member for Care Services and Kelly Gillings, Regional Director of Transformation attended to update the Panel on the work programme over the last year including governance arrangements, the Area Plan, engagement, progress and infographics on performance.

Discussion Points:

·       Panel queried how national outcomes for regional partnerships were agreed.  Heard it was difficult for Welsh Government (WG) as every programme in every region differs, but they have got to the point of having agreed templates for reporting information and agreed mechanisms. 

·       Panel noted measurements are being taken of some things the Partnership is doing and queried if the financial aspects are being looked at. Heard the Partnership reports to the WG on this every quarter for all projects.

·       Panel queried if veterans are involved in some of these activities.  Heard there is work to be done on this over the next year as the Partnership is currently not very good at capturing the characteristics of the population in its engagement. 

Amy Hawkins, Head of Adult Services and Tackling Poverty

Helen St John, Head of Integrated Community Services

Amy Hawkins, Head of Adult Services and Tackling Poverty briefed the Panel on the performance report for January 2024 and stated there were no changes to trends in the February data.

Discussion Points:

·       Panel noted respite opportunities have been increased which carers will benefit from and that this is a real positive.

·       Panel feels the Common Access Point (CAP) has been a great success.  Panel queried why there has been a high number of calls into the CAP in January.  Informed genuine demand has increased and it is hoped that there is more awareness.

·       Panel discussed how external domiciliary care providers are continuing to report cost pressures and asked if this is a problem. Heard that despite challenges in terms of ongoing operational cost pressures, the sector is much more stable. 

·       Panel discussed Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS) and the worry about assessments. Panel queried the impact of this on individuals and heard there is a risk of them being deprived of their liberty and a need to make sure the appropriate processes are in place to approve it. 

David Howes, Director of Social Services

Louise Gibbard, Cabinet Member for Care Services and David Howes, Director of Social Services attended for this item.  They stated the report has been to Cabinet where it was agreed an inflationary increase of 6% be applied to all social services charges from 1^st April.  In addition, Cabinet agreed for Adult Services to go out to consultation regarding a new one-off charge for covering installation of the Lifeline Service and a cost to cover replacement pendants.

Panel considered the work plan and noted items for the next meeting.