Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone present to the first meeting of the Swansea Public Services Board since the Covid-19 pandemic, in particular the new members who had recently joined the Board.

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

No declarations were made.

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 Joint Committee held on 13 February 2020 be approved and signed as a correct record.

There was only one action outstanding.  Adam Hill confirmed that although things had stalled slightly because of the pandemic, this action was being addressed by the PSB and Community Safety Partnerships Regional Joint Working Group.

Agreed that the actions be noted.

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.

A question had been received from Mr Dereck Roberts regarding the Draft Swansea Public Services Board Annual Report in respect of Page 22 “The Live Well, Age Well Forums for citizens aged 50+, co-ordinated by Swansea Council, have been attracting greater numbers of participants over the last year”.

Adam Hill, Deputy Chief Executive provided a full comprehensive response.

Adam Hill sought advice from the Committee in relation to the age range of the “Early Years” Workstream which generally focussed on the younger age range of children aged 0-3.  Whilst Jig-so and the Additional Learning Needs schemes covered the younger age ranges, the Pathfinders element covered children up to 7 years of age.  He queried whether the Committee felt the Early Years workstream’s age range should be revisited by the Group to extend up to 7 years of age which would include both early years and a child’s first years in school.

The Committee were in general agreement of the extension of the age of this workstream being extended up to 7 years of age.

Agreed that a report would be drafted and presented to a future meeting of the Swansea Public Services Board Joint Committee.

Adam Hill thanked all the partners for their input in drafting the Swansea Public Services Board Annual Report 2019/2020 and also to Leanne Ahern, PSB Support Officer for co-ordinating the work.

He highlighted two typographical amendments on pages 17 and 44 of the pack that would be actioned prior to the final version being published.

Resolved that the Swansea Public Services Annual Report 2019/2020 be approved.

·                     Funding;

·                     Covid-19 Recovery & PSB’s;

·                     Review of Strategic Partnerships;

·                     Stakeholder Engagement.

The Committee discussed in particular the 2 letters regarding the cessation of funding for Public Services Boards until 2021/2022 and the Review of Strategic Partnerships.

The Committee reiterated previous comments made in regards to the number of overlapping public sector partnerships and the time constraints involved.  Whilst it was acknowledged that there were significant challenges, particularly with shrinking organisations, PSB’s needed to be making a difference and adding value, with a more strategic intent. It was noted that the recommendations in the final report did not resolve the problems outlined by the partners.

It was disappointing that the funding had been withdrawn, particularly when the recovery letter focussed on the work to be undertaken by the PSB’s.  It was noted that whilst all of the partners had been heavily involved in providing assistance during the Covid-19 Pandemic, this had been via other regional groups but not collectively as a PSB.  It was acknowledged however, that the links created by the PSB had brought all the partners together prior to Covid-19 and Adam Hill thanked them all for the work that had been undertaken during the pandemic.

In order to assist, Adam Hill suggested reducing the number of meetings being held or look at a co-production model to maintain some independence whilst still working together.

Martyn Evans informed the Committee that Natural Resources Wales would be writing to all PSB’s next week in relation £25k for each of the PSB’s over the next 3 years that could be used for any urgent cause.  This was welcomed by all present.

Agreed that the Chair and Adam Hill draft a response in relation to the Review of Strategic Partnerships to the Welsh Government on behalf of Swansea Public Services Board Joint Committee.