Issue - meetings

To report to the Scrutiny Committee on the performance of the Adults, Health and Wellbeing Department.

To accept the report.

A report was submitted by the Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Well-being and the Head of Department.

It was reported that the department implemented the Council Plan 2023-28, and it reported on the progress to the end of March 2025. It was noted that she was aware of all the challenges that the department faced and that this had been highlighted more than ever before as part of the Llechen Lân report. It was noted that she was happy to report that significant progress had been made during the year.

A summary was given of the main projects that had seen progress or caused concern, noting that there were some examples in the report, and that it did not refer to every workflow as the department's projects were very broad.

During the discussion, the following observations were submitted by the Members:

The Head of Department, who was retiring, was thanked for all his hard work over the years and the new Head of Department was welcomed.

The Cabinet Member was asked to ensure that the Council contacted the Government in Cardiff to challenge to ensure that the grants available for the autism team until 2027 continued beyond this. It was also asked how many were waiting for a domiciliary care assessment and what were the figures regarding this. In terms of challenging the Government, it was noted that it was a permanent process for the cabinet members and happened on a weekly basis. To answer the member's question, it was explained that the waiting list for domiciliary care had reduced to 64. It was explained that the department's priority was to ensure that the people on the waiting list were safe. In terms of the number of people waiting for an assessment, it was mentioned that the department had this information every month until the end of March with 129 assessments held over the last two months. It was confirmed that no individual was being refused an assessment.

It was asked what was being done to improve the situation in terms of older people waiting for a care and support plan. It was noted that it was a very timely point as the department was currently doing a lot of work under the preventative banner and that people were waiting for a more detailed assessment. It was reported that there was a need to move away from the mentality that domiciliary care was required to support people. Domiciliary Care was one of the options, but a lot of work was being done within communities to support people who required help and support. It was noted that the Social Services and Well-being Act emphasised the need to look at the strengths of individuals instead of what they could not achieve.

It was asked what the department saw as the biggest obstacle in making more Direct Payments to support people. It was explained that complications in the process of establishing the arrangements had been an obstacle for people to be eager  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9