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APOLOGIES To receive any apologies for absence. Additional documents: Minutes: Apologies were received from Councillors Alan Jones Evans, Peter
Read and Cemlyn Rees Williams. |
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DECLARATION OF PERSONAL INTEREST To receive any declaration of personal interest. Additional documents: Minutes: (i)
The following members
declared a personal interest in item 5 on the agenda - Cartrefi Cymunedol
Gwynedd's Annual Report, for the reasons noted: ·
Councillor R. Medwyn
Hughes as he was a former Chairman of the Board of Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd ·
Councillor Eryl
Jones-Williams as he was a tenant of Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd The members did not participate in the discussion. (ii)
The following members
declared a personal interest in item 6 on the agenda - Health Provision in
Blaenau Ffestiniog, for the reasons noted:- ·
Councillor Sian Hughes as she was employed by Betsi Cadwaladr University
Health Board ·
Councillor Elin Walker Jones as she was employed by Betsi Cadwaladr
University Health Board ·
Councillor Dafydd Owen as his daughter was employed as a nurse 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. (iii)
Councillor Dewi Wyn
Roberts declared a personal interest in item 6 on the agenda - Health Provision
in Blaenau Ffestiniog, noting that his daughter was employed by 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. (iv)
Councillor Linda Ann Wyn
Jones declared a personal interest in item 9 on the agenda, noting that she and
her husband had prosthetics, and she did not participate during the discussion
on the item. |
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URGENT BUSINESS To note any items that are a matter of urgency in the view
of the Chairman for consideration. Additional documents: Minutes: No urgent items were received. |
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The Chairman shall propose that the minutes of the following meetings of this Committee, be signed as true copies. 4 September 2017 (Extraordinary Meeting) 21 September 2017 (Copies enclosed) Additional documents: Minutes: The Chairman
signed the minutes of the meetings of this Committee that had been held as
follows: 4 September 2017 -
Extraordinary Care Scrutiny Committee 21 September 2017 |
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CARTREFI CYMUNEDOL GWYNEDD'S ANNUAL REPORT PDF 565 KB Cabinet Member: Councillor Craig ab Iago To consider Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd’s Annual Report. (Copy enclosed) * 10.30 – 11.15 a.m. Additional documents: Minutes: (a) An annual report was submitted by the Chief Executive of Cartrefi
Cymunedol Gwynedd, drawing attention to the fact that the content of the report
covered between 1 April 2016 to March 2017 and that it followed a procedure
that had already been agreed with the Council. Members of the Committee were guided through the report and the
following main points were noted: ·
that the focus was on
maintaining the housing stock to the Welsh Housing Quality Standard and on
recommencing the work of constructing new houses ·
in each contract
awarded, that contractors were expected to participate by investing in the
communities and reference was made to those examples in point 4.2 of the report ·
that it could be seen
from Table 1, which referred to the various elements, that the work on average
complied in full with the WHQS, although some elements did not hit 100% and the
reasons for those failures were explained ·
reference was made that
some tenants refused to allow work be carried out on the houses and that this
was acceptable, unless the work was to be completed in line with health and
safety ·
that statistics were
submitted to Welsh Government on an annual basis ·
in terms of the
construction work, many partners were being collaborated with and in relation
to grounds maintenance, the contract had been awarded to Gwynedd Council and
the work done was very good ·
that work was being done
on strategic subjects such as: homelessness (18 houses transferred on a lease
to use by Gwynedd Council); provision of affordable housing (a total of 39
units and over 100 houses being achieved this year by using a social grant);
growth plans and it was emphasised that there were opportunities along the
North Wales coast that assisted CCG to achieve more ·
that there was good
collaboration with North Wales Police and specific reference was made to a
scheme and arrangements in place in Maesincla. ·
Reference was made to
the strong links between houses and the health service specifically in terms of
facilitating timely and easier access to mental health services for some
tenants ·
In terms of the repairs
service, although this had not been up to standard in the past, he had received
a specific focus to improve the service and reference was made to success in
point 9.5 and performance had improved and the service was now much more
productive and customer satisfaction had increased ·
That CCG was inspected
annually by Welsh Government and that it was pleasing to report that the
inspectors praised the service and that they had excelled in terms of financial
viability (b) During the ensuing discussion, the following points were highlighted
by individual Members: (i) It was expressed that the general complaint by many Members was a lack
of follow-up to the complaints of tenants, specifically relating to community
spaces, windows not opening. In response, it was explained that the standards of customer care had improved but that it was obvious that some problems continued and he ... view the full minutes text for item 5. |
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HEALTH SERVICE - BLAENAU FFESTINIOG AREA PDF 315 KB Cabinet Member: Councillor W. Gareth Roberts To consider a report on the above matter. (Copy enclosed) * 11.15 – 12.00 p.m. Additional documents:
Minutes: (a) A response was submitted on the above matter along with: ·
responses to the
recommendations made by this Care Scrutiny Committee on 21 September 2017 ·
A letter from the Chair
of the National Assembly of Wales' Petitions Committee ·
The Report of the
Petitions Committee dated 22 January 2018 (b) The Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Well-being welcomed the
report of the Petitions Committee that approved the six recommendations of this
Care Scrutiny Committee made on 21 September 2017. (c) The Area Director (West), Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board referred to
recommendation (i) in Appendix A of the report and
confirmed that the Health Board had achieved the recommendation and the
information had been shared with the Scrutiny Committee. (ch) In relation to recommendation (ii),
namely the request for an immediate report on the health provision in the
Blaenau Ffestiniog area from an independent agency, a
Member drew attention to the fact that the Petitions Committee noted that 98%
disagreed with getting rid of beds.
During the ensuing discussion, the Committee was in agreement that the
best way forward was to keep to the original brief and ask the Community Health
Council to undertake the task of investigating the health provision in the
Blaenau Ffestiniog area and provide a report of the
conclusions. However, there would be a
need to ensure at the same time that they were prepared to fund this. (d) In the context of receiving information about the services provided
in the new Memorial Centre in Blaenau Ffestiniog, the
Assistant Director Initial Care explained that a post-project evaluation would
be undertaken to see whether the services had reached targets within the
business plan and this would be reported back to Welsh Government. As part of this work, responses would be
gathered from the service users and if any weaknesses became apparent, a
response could be given. The Cabinet Member for
Adults, Health and Well-being added that it would be beneficial to submit a
report on the conclusions of the evaluation of services in the New Centre to this
Care Scrutiny Committee, and it was reported further, subject to the results,
that the Care Scrutiny Committee could hold a further investigation. In response to an enquiry regarding how the residents of Blaenau Ffestiniog and the Blaenau Memorial Hospital Defence
Committee could have an input, it was noted that complaints could be lodged as
part of the procedure, however, it was ensured that a specific engagement
process would be created at the end of the summer term to ask for feedback on
the experiences of the services at the new Memorial Centre since its
opening. It was also added that the
Community Health Council could undertake this process as well. The Assistant Director
Initial Care was of the opinion that the services were excellent in the new
building which included therapists, pharmacists, services collaborating
together in a more stable way by now as well as the recruitment of a general
practitioner. In response to ... view the full minutes text for item 6. |
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Cabinet Member: Councillor W. Gareth Roberts To receive an update on the progress and development of the
above scheme. (Copy enclosed) *12.00 – 12.20 p.m. Additional documents: Minutes: (a)
An update was provided
on the progress and development of the above scheme and the Gwynedd Senior
Adults Manager guided members through the report, noting the progress made in
terms of implementing the integrated working model, the Alltwen Scheme. It was pleasing to note that elements had
moved on with good examples of various teams working in a different way. The five areas where the integrated plan
would be rolled-out to were listed, namely: Bangor Area Caernarfon Area Llŷn Area Eifionydd / North Meirionnydd Area
South Meirionnydd Area Members were given an opportunity to ask
questions and the Gwynedd Senior Adults Manager responded as follows: (i)
It was acknowledged that
there was a need to consider extending the hours of providing the integrated
service over seven days. It would be
challenging to implement an extension in working hours and days within the
current workforce without additional staffing resources. Care had to be taken that any changes to
hours did not impair the ability to respond effectively during core hours and
that they were in-keeping with the principles of retaining ownership of a case.
It was intended to complete further work having established the service within
five areas in order to see the nature of the demand for support outside normal
office hours and on weekends and identify the skills needed to meet the need
outside core hours. The Senior Adults
Manager referred to an example of measuring the demand in relation to considering
extending the working hours of home carers overnight in the south of the
County. The majority of the calls related to the need for nursing skills and
the examples of a need for the carers service were scarce. It was noted further that an out-of-hours
service was already operational across Gwynedd and Anglesey. (ii) In terms of the timetable for the provision of a single integrated
electronic system for the teams, it was explained that the Social Services
department was using the new WCCIS system since August 2017. There was an intention for the Health Board
to join soon, but the Senior Adults Manager could not specify a date. It was agreed to ask the Senior
Transformation Manager for an update on the timetable. It was added that there
were challenges in terms of recording the information bilingually and this
could complicate integrated working at times.
(iii) For further information, the Corporate Director referred to the
'Parliamentary Review of Health and Social Care in Wales' under the leadership
of Dr Ruth Hussey, and it was encouraging to note that the above format
provided a good foundation for work and coincided with many elements in the
report. Resolved: (a)
To accept, note and give thanks for the report. (b) To ask the Gwynedd Senior
Adults Manager to send the contact number of the Integrated Teams in the five
areas to the members of the Scrutiny Committee.
(c) To ask the Head of Adults, Health and Well-being Department to invite the Scrutiny Committee members to visit the ... view the full minutes text for item 7. |
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UNPAID CARERS INVESTIGATION REPORT PDF 178 KB Cabinet Member: Councillor W. Gareth Roberts To receive a report by the Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing on the above. (Copy enclosed) *12.20 p.m. – 12.40
p.m. Additional documents: Minutes: (a)
A report was submitted
by the Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Well-being, outlining the findings
and recommendations deriving from an investigation held on the type of support
available to unpaid carers in Gwynedd. (b)
The Adults and Children
Carers Support Officer guided members through the report and noted the main
points as noted below: ·
That Carers Wales had
appointed an officer for the North to promote the identification of hidden
carers ·
That the Gwynedd and
Anglesey Carers Partnership Group had drawn up a strategy and one of the
objectives was identifying hidden carers ·
Assessments would
continue to be undertaken and an attempt would be made to do this as soon as
possible ·
In terms of feedback
from carers, fewer than 100 out of 500 questionnaires had been returned and the
responses to the questionnaires returned by the carers of individuals with mental
health issues were relatively encouraging
·
In terms of information
and advice, it was noted that guidance had been produced and was back on the
website to draw attention of staff / carers with relevant links ·
We were collaborating
with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board ·
An additional grant had
been received from Welsh Government to provide respite care for carers however
attention was drawn to the fact that there was an insufficient number of people
working in the field to provide respite care, specifically in Meirionnydd. ·
That savings and cuts
were affecting the service. ·
Welsh language - that
documents received from the health service needed to be translated into Welsh,
and some providers were experiencing difficulties in recruiting Welsh-speaking
staff, particularly in the south of the County.
Elected members were encouraged to inform the service whether they were
aware of hidden carers in their wards who looked after family members so that
the service could offer them advice. (c)
Members were given an
opportunity to scrutinise the report and the Adults and Children Carers Support
Officer responded as noted below: ·
it was asked whether the
service was fit for purpose and in response, it was noted that the requirements
of the new Act were challenging, and there was a need to collaborate with
partners in the field. The need to be
realistic and attempt to focus on two or three of the objectives were
needed. ·
It was reiterated that
addressing the requirements of the act was important and the need to consider
how the best value for the money could be obtained by reviewing and
prioritising ·
In terms of addressing
needs and supporting young people who were carers, there was close
collaboration with Bangor University which offered a period of respite for
young carers so that they had a taster of what was available and to encourage
them to gain a qualification in care.
In addition, there was collaboration with the Regional Group. ·
From the grant of
£114,000 received for 2017/18, £60,000 had been shared with the third sector
and the rest supported carers with learning disabilities, Derwen and carers who
cared for a sibling. · In response ... view the full minutes text for item 8. |
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SUPPORTING GWYNEDD'S DISABLED PEOPLE PDF 216 KB Cabinet Member: Councillor W. Gareth Roberts To consider the final brief for the Investigation and to elect members. (Copy enclosed) *12.40 – 12.50 p.m. Additional documents: Minutes: (a)
A brief was submitted
for a Scrutiny Investigation in order to support the disabled people of Gwynedd
and specifically the suitability of the arrangements for providing wheelchairs to
Gwynedd residents as well as the service for individuals with prosthetics. (b)
The Area Assistant
Director Therapy Services (East), Health Board, explained that prosthetic
provision had been offered in the past at Bryn y Neuadd, Llanfairfechan, and that
there was a need to review the location where the service would be provided to
the residents of the western area, be that at Bryn y Neuadd or at satellite
clinics in Bangor, rather than having to travel to Maelor Hospital, Wrexham. For clarity, attention was drawn to the fact
that the name used for the service was now the Posture and Mobility Service,
rather than ALAC. It was explained
further that the structure in Wales regarding the provision of wheelchairs was
within the procurement arrangements of Welsh Government and that the decisions
did not lie within the Health Board's remit.
(c) It was explained that the matter had been raised when Councillor Peter
Read had submitted a notice of motion from the Council referring a question
regarding the suitability of the arrangements for providing wheelchairs for the
residents of Gwynedd for consideration on the scrutiny programme. (d) In response to the above, the Members Support and Scrutiny Manager
thanked the officers of the Health Board and the Committee was asked to
nominate five members to serve as part of the investigation. (e) In terms of nominating, advice had been received from the Senior
Solicitor that a member and / or a member with a family member, who received a personal
service from the wheelchair / prosthetics, should not be a part of the
investigation as it would be difficult to separate interest and personal
experiences from general considerations.
(f) Councillor R. Medwyn Hughes and Dewi Roberts agreed to be a part of the
investigation but because of the personal interest of many members and other
people's commitments and work pressures, no other nominations were
forthcoming. Therefore, it was suggested to hold a further discussion
at the informal meeting regarding the possibility of sending an e-mail to all
Members to identify nominations from members who were eager to be a part of the
scrutiny procedure, in order to reduce the workload of the existing
scrutinisers. Resolved: (a) To approve the final
brief for the Scrutiny Investigation on Supporting the Disabled People of
Gwynedd, and for the prosthetic provision to be included. b) To elect the following
members to serve as part of the Investigation: Councillors R. Medwyn Hughes and
Dewi Wyn Roberts and to discuss further at the informal meeting to attract
further nominations to serve on the investigation. |
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FORWARD WORK PROGRAMME 2018 PDF 154 KB To submit, for
information, the scrutiny forward work programme, as it stands at present (copy
attached). *12.50 – 13.00 * Please note that
these are estimated times. Additional documents: Minutes: Submitted, for information, this Committee's forward programme as it
currently stood. Resolved: To ask the Chairman,
Vice-chairman, and Members Support and Scrutiny Manager to discuss with Heads
of Service on including items for the next meeting of the Care Scrutiny
Committee to be held on 8 March 2018. |