Agenda item

To accept and note the information in the report.

The report was submitted by Cllr Dilwyn Morgan

DECISION

To accept and note the information in the report.

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted, noting that it was the Cabinet Member's first report in this field, and it was expressed that it was an important report which served as a benchmark of the department's position and highlighted what work needed to be done.

He explained that no performance challenging meeting had been held yet, but that a number of the matters had been the subject of discussion with the department over the past weeks. It was highlighted that the second part of the report highlighted the progress that had been made with the department's Council Plan schemes. It was noted that a lot of work had been done on the schemes and that reference was made to the required improvements. It was expressed that the work of redesigning the Care Service was underway and that work was currently being done on tenders to develop a new care service.

It was emphasised that workforce recruitment and retention problems were evident throughout the report and it was emphasised that this problem was not unique and that it was something that could be seen both regionally and nationally. It was noted that the department was looking to develop innovative ways to attract workers to the sector and to understand the barriers. It was explained that a further report on the matter would be submitted before the Cabinet in due course.

In terms of the department's performance, it was noted following discussions with the Head of Department, that further work needed to be done to look specifically at the services' purposes and measures, in order to prioritise the work and move forward. Cllr Dafydd Meurig was thanked for his support and for his work as the Cabinet Member who had held this portfolio previously.

The Head of Department added, in relation to recruitment, that a varied programme of recruitment activities and sessions had been carried out, which had been very successful in some areas, however no interest whatsoever had been seen in other areas. It was explained that a further report on the work would be shared over the next months. In terms of the Council Plan schemes, it was noted that these were specific work programmes, with a number of work streams in each of them. It was explained that one of the department's biggest tasks was to change the culture across the care field, both internally and externally. It was expressed that the biggest change could be seen across the service through changing the culture.

Observations arising from the discussion

¾     The lack of progress in the scheme for Canolfan Dolfeurig in Dolgellau was highlighted; this had been in the pipeline for over five years, and it was expressed that the money earmarked for this could now possibly be insufficient.

¾     It was explained back in August 2021, that the department was projecting an overspend of £1.4 million; however, after receiving £1.9 million in grant funding from the Welsh Government's Social Care Pressures Fund, the department had underspent by £68,000. It was emphasised that the underspend was completely reliant upon a one-off grant, and it was highlighted that savings would be very challenging for the department in light of the increasing pressures being witnessed.