Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors R. Medwyn Hughes and Gwynfor Owen.

To receive any declarations of personal interest.

Declarations of personal interest were received for item 6 from Councillor Rheinallt Puw as his daughter worked in the care sector and Councillor Eryl Jones-Williams as his wife received care. These were not prejudicial interests therefore they did not withdraw from the meeting.

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

None to note.

The Chairman shall propose that the minutes of the meetings of this committee held on the 7^th of July 2022 be signed as a true record.

The Chair signed the minutes of the previous meeting of this Committee held on 7 July, 2022 as a true record.

To nominate a member of the Committee to attend performance challenge meetings for the Children and Supporting Families work area.

To nominate Councillor Sasha Williams as the second Councillor to attend the Children and Supporting Families work field meetings.

The Committee was reminded that one other representative was required to attend challenge performance meetings in the Children and Supporting Families work field. It was noted that these meetings will be an opportunity to receive updates on priority projects and a chance to challenge and bring issues to the attention of the Scrutiny Committee. These meetings would take place twice a year.

RESOLVED:

To nominate Councillor Sasha Williams as the second Councillor to attend the Children and Supporting Families work field meetings.

To update the Care Scrutiny Committee on the worsening staffing crisis in the field of adult care.

To accept the report, noting the observations made during the meeting.

The Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Well-being reported that the Recruitment and Retention of Staff Report provided the background and highlighted the staffing crisis that exists within the Department.  It was noted that the report was honest and did not try to hide any issues.  It was added that the staffing crisis in the field of adult care was a national crisis that impacts Local Authorities as well as Health Services.   

The opportunity was taken to thank Department staff for their work as well as the Head and Assistant Head for the report. It was noted that the report would be submitted to the Leadership Team and the Cabinet and national and Regional discussions were being held to highlight the current crisis. 

The report was presented by the Assistant Head who noted the background that reflected the seriousness of the situation.  It was reported that staffing matters in this field had received priority for some time and attention locally pre-Covid, however, the pandemic had exacerbated the situation that was already vulnerable.   

Members of the Committee were guided through the report and attention was drawn to the key challenges such as retention of staff and trying to attract new staff to the field.  The reasons for these challenges were summarised prior to noting how the Department seeks to respond to the situation and the work that is currently on-going.

The Head of the Adults, Health and Well-being Department added that the report was very open about the challenges the Department faces and that other Departments such as the Children and Supporting Families Department, also faced significant challenges. It was believed that it was important to share the challenges as they impact the Department's ability to provide services.  It was noted that this report gave an internal picture of the Council's situation and did not include similar challenges that exist in the private sector and in the third sector. It was reported that these sectors also faced the same recruitment challenges.

The impact of the situation was also mentioned for example long waiting lists, patients unable to return home from hospital and the pressure on staff. It was noted that a great deal of effort and activities were being undertaken, and although the Department had experienced small successes, there was no solution to the situation and this caused concern.  It was emphasised that there was a need to look at what may be done locally and what was within the Council and the Department's control by securing a careful investment of current resources. It was noted that this was an initial report and it was hoped that suggestions would be received from the Scrutiny Committee and the Members' wish to assist and be part of the solution.

During the discussion, the following observations were submitted by members:-

·         Members expressed their thanks for the report. It was believed that it was a duty of Councillors to promote jobs in the care field to local people. 

·         It was asked whether it was possible  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To update the Committee on the operation of the New Energy Service along with the Climate Change work.

To accept the report that provided an overview of the New Energy service as well as the Climate Change work.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Property gave an introduction and referred to the work of the team of Officers in the Property Service who were trying to reduce the Council's carbon footprint. He noted that they had experienced successes and as a result, when drafting the Housing Action Plan, there was a desire to assist the public in Gwynedd by offering help and practical support.  As a result it was explained that the New Energy Conservation Service had been established.  Under the leadership of the Energy and Commercial Services Manager it was considered that this service had been successful.  Pride was expressed in the work and the importance of disseminating the message about the good work undertaken by the team was emphasised.

The Head of Housing and Property Department expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to report on the activities of the New Energy Service to the Committee. She noted that the report referred to the journey of establishing the service and what had been achieved thus far as well as the work that was in the pipeline. The report referred to how the Council's carbon management plan intertwines with the Climate Change work to which the Council had committed.

The report was presented by the Energy and Commercial Services Manager and he referred to the key messages in the report. It was noted that the report was in two parts, the first part referred to the New Energy Service and the second to the Carbon Management Plan and the work undertaken over the last twelve years. 

Members of the Committee were guided through the report and attention was drawn to the de-carbonisation of homes and the help available from the Council regarding fuel poverty.  It was noted that the information in the report such as the graphs were striking as they indicated the seriousness of the situation in Gwynedd and reference was made to the energy inefficiency of the majority of the County's houses.  Details were provided of schemes such as Nest and ECO and the payments available to offer support to the people and residents of Gwynedd who are on prepayment meters.

It was added that the team was trying to ensure that the County's residents claimed everything that was available to them and to refer individuals to the appropriate schemes.  It was anticipated that the demand on the team would increase as a result of increasing fuel costs and that time would tell if what is available from the team is sufficient for the needs of the people of Gwynedd. It was noted that there was a new site for poverty on the Council's website which contained useful information about the available support.

During the discussion, the following observations were submitted by members:-

·         Thanks was given for an exceptional report and the detailed content was commended. 

·         A comment was expressed that it was more costly to have prepayment meters but this was the most affordable option for many in the County as there was no need  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To present the Committee's draft work programme for 2022/23 for adoption.

To accept the report and adopt the work programme for 2022/23.

A short report was provided to the Members showing the Committee's latest work programme following changes due to slippage of items.  It was noted that the November and February meetings would be heavy and may continue all day. 

Members did not have any observations or questions.

DECISION

To accept the report and adopt the work programme for 2022/23.