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 provided an update on the department's work, outlining what had happened against the Council Plan's pledges, reporting on the department's performance and the financial situation. Pride was expressed that progress had been made, despite the challenges facing the department and the majority of these were as a result of capacity difficulties within the department. The department was thanked for its commitment to the field and the individuals they supported, and on the whole, he was satisfied with the department's performance.  

It was noted that a number of the matters that had arisen in the performance report had also been highlighted as a part of a recent inspection from Care Inspectorate Wales. It was explained that a further report on the inspection would come to the Care Scrutiny Committee before long.  

He guided members through the Council Plan projects, which included the Penrhos site which was a joint plan with the Housing and Property Department, as well as an increase in dementia beds in the county and their concern about empty units as a result of lack of staffing. It was highlighted that staff recruitment and retention was one of the department's main difficulties and it was explained that this was an issue that was being discussed corporately within the Council, as well as regionally and nationally.  

In terms of the department's performance, it was noted that big steps had been taken to secure the correct measures. Attention was drawn to the numbers on the lists for domiciliary care and it was noted that the numbers continued to increase and that this was as a result of a lack of capacity in terms of staffing. It was explained that the latest report highlighted frustration with the measure in the Mental Health Service as the staff of the integrated teams continued to use paper files. It was expressed that work had been done to find a temporary measure for this service.  

In terms of the financial position, it was noted that the financial projections as a part of the end of August review projected an overspend of £1.9 million in the department by the end of this financial year. It was explained that the department had submitted bids in order to be able to continue with statutory services or legislative changes. It was expressed that the department was currently looking at ways to deliver some services in a different way, and thus achieve savings.  

Observations arising from the discussion 

·                It was noted that staffing challenges could be seen across the Council, due to the failure to recruit and not due to the financial deficit. It was emphasised that there was no easy answer to the problem and that this was as a result of decisions made on a British level. It was explained that the department was looking at what other counties were doing to secure services and make the best use of the support that was available.  

·                It was explained that an overspend of £1.9 million was anticipated as well as another £1 million of unrealised savings on top of that, before even looking at the savings for next year. It was noted that a meeting would be held with the department soon in order to consider this very challenging situation.  

·                It was noted that there was concern about the department's ability to measure performance but that measures were now being developed. It was explained that there was some way to go again, but that big steps had been made.