Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Menna Baines, Anwen Davies, R. Medwyn Hughes, Linda Ann Wyn Jones, Beth Lawton and Peter Read. Also Councillor W. Gareth Roberts (Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Well-being).

To receive any declarations of personal interest.

(a)       The following members declared a personal interest in the following items for the reasons noted:

·         Councillor Cai Larsen in item 5 on the agenda (Homelessness Strategy) as he represented the Council on the Board of Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd

·         Councillor Dewi Roberts in item 6 (Recruiting and Retaining Domiciliary Care Staff) as his wife worked as a carer for the Care Department

The members were not of the opinion that they were prejudicial interests, and they did not withdraw from the meeting during the discussion on the item.

To note any items that are a matter of urgency in the view of the Chairman for consideration.

No urgent items were received.

The Chairman shall propose that the minutes of the previous meeting of this committee held on 13^th September, 2018 be signed as a true record  (attached).

The Chair signed the minutes of the previous meeting of this Committee held on 13 September 2018 as a true record.

Cabinet Member – Councillor Craig ab Iago

To receive a report on the above  (attached).

The Cabinet Member for Housing, Leisure and Culture presented the report and noted that Gwynedd Council had carried out a Strategic Review of Homelessness in accordance with the requirements of the Housing (Wales) Act (2014). It was reiterated that the findings of the review set a foundation for developing a Homelessness Strategy and that the Housing Service was currently in consultation on local actions that would address the aims and requirements of the Strategy.

Reference was made to an executive summary included with the report that provided a detailed analysis of the levels and nature of homelessness, an audit of the services and review of the resources available to spend on homelessness in the County. It was reiterated that the executive summary provided evidence for the North Wales Regional Homelessness Strategy and the Gwynedd Local Homelessness Provision Action Plan.

The Senior Housing Manager and the Homelessness and Housing Support Manager  gave a PowerPoint presentation summarising the main findings of the review and the considerations identified. It was highlighted that the local action plan (2018-2022) had been created in response to the review and was available on the Council's website.

In response to a question regarding the effect of universal credit on the work of the Homelessness Team, members were reminded that Gwynedd did not yet have a full Universal Credit Service and that only new applicants were given assistance. Nevertheless, it was noted that work was being done to prepare individuals and families for the change and that a dedicated officer was available to help with vulnerable individuals. Members were encouraged to refer any requests for advice to the Housing Solutions Officer who specialises in the service.

In response to an observation about the high numbers evicted from their homes because of failure to pay rent, it was highlighted that the Homelessness Team was very eager to collaborate with the Housing Associations and that information about individuals / families would be shared in an attempt to find a solution before people were evicted. It was reiterated that Housing Associations had steps in place to try to prevent homelessness and if all those steps had been taken the Homelessness Service would step in to assist and provide support.

In response to a question about the Services's capacity to deal with the increase in numbers requesting help, it was noted that the Homelessness Service had insufficient resources to cope with the extra work. The Cabinet Member suggested that a report could be submitted that would highlight that the Service was aware of the challenge it would face in response to the increase. The Head of Service reiterated that every effort was being made to ensure that the person was at the centre of the service and, by anticipating the fuarther increase in demand, it was noted that a financial bid had been submitted to strengthen the capacity for this increasing need. They would have to make the best use of the resource and endeavour to prioritise

The Chair noted that he did  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Cabinet Member – Councillor W.Gareth Roberts

To receive a report on the above  (attached).

The Senior Business Manager presented a report highlighting the initial findings of the review by CELyn company into the field of recruiting and retaining domiciliary care staff in Gwynedd. It was reiterated that the final report would be presented as part of a scrutiny investigation by the Committee, which was already part of the Committee's work programme.

It was noted that the situation had recently deteriorated in relation to waiting lists for care in parts of Arfon and Pen Llŷn as well as in Meirionnydd. It was reiterated that this was a cause for concern for the Department and meant that many people across the County had to go without care.

Thanks were given for the report and it was stated that the time was right to convey the initial messages.

In response to a question about the numbers of packages being returned by the private sector, it was noted that the information was available and that the situation was being monitored

The Head of Service noted that a high percentage of the Departments existing workers would be of retirement age within five to ten years and that this  could exacerbate the problem for the future.

During the ensuing discussion, members made the following observations:

·         Discussions would have to be held with the Private Sector

·         There was a need to attract young people down a career path in care - was it possible to find out the demography and the age at which people started working in the field of care?

·         Needed to target men into Care work

·         Having a car was not necessary (as a requirement of the post) in every community

·         The status of the work needed to be elevated

·         Consideration needed to be given to salary and work pressures

The Head of the Service noted that the brief proposals for the investigation would be presented at a meeting with the Cabinet Member, the Head of Service and Chair and Vice Chair of the Committee in order to move the work forward as a priority field.

Members were requested to put their names forward to the Scrutiny Manager if they were interested in being part of the investigation. It was suggested that members of the third sector and partners should also be part of the investigation.

          The officers were thanked for the information.

          The report was accepted.