Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence was received from Morwenna Edwards (Corporate Director).

To receive any declaration of personal interest.

(i)            The following members declared a personal interest in item 7 on the agenda - Health Provision in Blaenau Ffestiniog, for the reasons noted:-

·         Councillor Siân Hughes - as she was employed by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

·         Councillor Elin Walker Jones - as she was employed by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

·         Councillor Dafydd Owen - as his daughter was employed by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

·         Councillor Rheinallt Puw - as he was employed by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

The members were of the opinion that they were prejudicial interests, and they withdrew from the meeting during the discussion on the item.

(ii)           Councillor Dewi Wyn Roberts declared a personal interest in item 7 on the agenda - Health Provision at Blaenau Ffestiniog, noting that his daughter was employed by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

The member was of the opinion that it was not a prejudicial interest, and he did not withdraw from the meeting during the discussion on the item.

(iii)             Councillor Linda Ann Wyn Jones stated that she would not declare a personal interest this time in Item 7 - Health Provision at Blaenau Ffestiniog as she had let herself and the people of Blaenau Ffestiniog down at the extraordinary meeting of this Scrutiny Committee that took place on 4 September 2017.  

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 meeting of this Committee held on the 13 June 2017, be signed as a true copy.

(Copy enclosed)

The Chair signed the minutes of the previous meeting of this Committee, that took place on 13 June 2017, as a true record.

To consider the Housing, Leisure and Culture Cabinet Member’s report on the above.

(Copy enclosed)

(a)  The report of the Cabinet Member for Housing, Leisure and Culture on homelessness in Gwynedd was presented. 

(b)  The Senior Manager for Housing and Well-being gave the background to the report and noted that homelessness was one of the Council’s statutory responsibilities as set out in the Housing (Wales) Act 2014. Changes to homelessness legislation were welcomed and these had come into effect and allowed cases to be open for a much longer period. However, there was more workload on officers and although some transitional grant funding had been received this would end on 31 March 2018 and the Government had not committed to any subsequent grants thereafter. It was emphasised that without transitional funding the service would not have been able to cope with the changes or have so many successful outcomes with homelessness prevention.  In addition, it was noted that there were changes on the horizon in the welfare benefits system that would impose a burden on the service and following the commissioned work, reference was made to the main findings of this research work.         

(c)   The service was facing a number of challenges as a result of legislative and benefit changes and it had identified that demand had increased and the forecast was that it would continue to grow.  It was therefore crucial to consider how the service would respond to ensure the sustainability and ability of the service, and how to manage future expenditure.

(ch) On a positive note, it was stated that in 2015/16 Gwynedd was the best in Wales in terms of the percentage of homelessness prevention, however this would decrease this year due to the loss of one member of staff.

(d)   Members were given an opportunity to ask questions and the officers responded as follows:

(i)            There had not been an increase in the number of people referred to bed and breakfast accommodation,however, they had stayed there for a longer time.   Nevertheless, the service had managed to support them within the budget.  An assurance was given that the service tried to avoid placing families with children in bed and breakfast accommodation.  At all times they sought to retain individuals where they were by negotiating with the landlords.  By increasing council tax on second homes, it was trusted that the money could be re-invested in this area to supply for the needs of the individuals. 

(ii)           The Homelessness and Housing Support Manager was requested to send information to the Members Manager as follows:

·         How many people were referred to bed and breakfast accommodation

·         Are they individuals / families / young people / male / female 

·         The costs of the above 

(iii)          Regarding houses leased by private landlords, rent was paid at the same rate as the local housing allowance.

(iv)          That the cases were from across the County and included rural towns and villages.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider the Housing, Leisure and Culture Cabinet Member’s report on the above.

(Copy enclosed)

The report of the Cabinet Member for Housing, Leisure and Culture on homelessness in Gwynedd was presented which referred to several schemes to assist house owners to make the best use of their property.

          It was reported that the Housing Service had succeeded in bringing 455 houses back into use and, as a result, managed to accommodate 915 people in Gwynedd that had enabled individuals to stay in their communities.  

          A slide presentation was shown giving a visual taste of some of the problematic houses in the towns/villages of Trawsfynydd, Maentwrog, Llan Ffestiniog, Penygroes, Bryncrug, Dolgellau, Caernarfon, Llanbedr, Bangor, Nefyn, Llandwrog and Tywyn.  

          Regarding the continuation and future of the funding available, it was noted that the Council in terms of the capital programme had invested and attracted funding from other sources.  It was trusted that additional money received from the increase in Council Tax on second homes could be re-invested to bring empty homes back into use.  

          Individual members highlighted the following main points:

(i)            It was asked if it was possible to bring an enforcement case referring specifically to a house in Llan Ffestiniog that had been in a dire condition for many years and had caused considerable concern to nearby residents.

(ii)              In response, the Housing Manager – Supply and Enforcement outlined the powers available to the Council and noted that it was possible to bring an enforcement case against the property owner, if the property affected the structure of the house next door.  In this specific case there was no structural impact on the neighbouring house.  It was further noted that discussions on the house in question had been on-going for many years with officers from the Snowdonia National Park and the Local Member was encouraged to discuss the matter further with Park officers as the Housing Unit did not have powers to resolve the matter.   

          In terms of investments to house owners, it was noted that it was not necessary for them to undertake a means test and that the investment was not to buy houses, but was rather to make improvements and to bring empty homes back into use.  It was further noted that a means test could lead to a situation that would slow down the work of bringing empty houses back into use as landlords would make quite a substantial investment themselves in renovation costs.   The empty house would be part of a leasing scheme for a period of 5 years, or would be available to people on the Council's waiting list or Social Services clients. 

(iii)          It was asked what were the targets and how success would be measured?   A further comment was made that the interest rates were approximately 8 / 9 % in 2008 which was a favourable policy at the time but had the figures decreased?  

In response, the Housing Manager – Supply  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To consider the final wording of the recommendations of the Extraordinary Care Scrutiny Committee held on the 4 September 2017.

(Copy enclosed)

A report was submitted that comprised six recommendations emanating from the discussion on the above matter at an Extraordinary Meeting of the Care Scrutiny Committee that took place on 4 September 2017. 

          It was explained that the purpose of the report was to confirm the final wording of the recommendations to be presented to the Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Well-being and the Chief Executive of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board for action:

There was a difference of opinion amongst Members regarding the wording of clause (ii) of the recommendations and it was proposed and seconded to delete the words 'reasonable time' and amend as follows:

"that the Committee requests a report immediately on the health provision in the Blaenau Ffestiniog area by an independent agency, to be presented for the attention of the Care Scrutiny Committee.

That the Scrutiny Committee calls upon the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to regularly monitor information and data in relation to the effectiveness of current health services in the Blaenau Ffestiniog area and the well-being of its residents and to commit to adapting/changing the provision if there is evidence to justify this. 

It was confirmed that the remaining recommendations (i), (iii), (iv) and (vi) were acceptable.  

In terms of providing an independent report as suggested above, it was noted that the Council would be able to suggest the names of external independent consultants to undertake the work.

It was noted that the Community Health Council were not pleased that they had not received an invitation to be represented in the discussion at the Extraordinary Care Scrutiny Committee.

Resolved:         Convey the following final recommendations to the Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Well-being and the Chief Executive of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board:

(i)               That the Care Scrutiny Committee calls on the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to share all the background information that was part of the original decision to change the provision of facilities and health services in  the Blaenau Ffestiniog area.  

(ii)             That the Committee requests a report immediately on the health provision in the Blaenau Ffestiniog area by an independent agency, to be presented for the attention of the Care Scrutiny Committee. 

  That the Committee calls upon the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to regularly monitor information and data in relation to the effectiveness of current health services in the Blaenau Ffestiniog area and the well-being of its residents and to commit to adapting/changing the provision if there is evidence to justify this.  

(iii)            Stemming from the evidence submitted by the Blaenau Ffestiniog Memorial Hospital Defence Committee regarding the lack of response to petitions and correspondence in the past, that the Board give detailed consideration to engagement and consultation shortcomings in the past in order to improve future arrangements. The Health Board  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.