Agenda item

To receive the report, comment on the contents and support the actions that have already been agreed with the relevant services

DECISION:

·         To accept the report

·         To support the actions that have already been agreed with the relevant services

·         To request an update from the Audit on Taxi Safety (limited assurance level)

·         That the matter of not implementing regulatory procedures in Care Homes should be referred to the Care Scrutiny Committee.

a)    Submitted for information, a report by the Audit Manager updating the Committee on the internal audit work for the period from 1 May 2022 until 25 January 2023. It was highlighted that 24 of the audits in the plan had been completed and given a high assurance level; adequate or restricted.

Each audit was referred to in turn.

b)    Matters arising from the ensuing discussion:

                  Taxi Safety Audit 

·         Concern that the expected evidence was not seen when processing taxi licence applications (registration documents, MOT certificates and insurance documents were missing).

·         There was a need to ensure that the Licensing Department had valid actions in response to the concerns and to avoid a continuation of mistakes in 2023/34.

In response, it was noted that staff shortages was one of the reasons for the drop in the quality of the work and that staff seconded to the Department were inexperienced. It was reiterated that every effort had been made to improve the situation.

In response to a question as to whether the arrangements applied to water taxis and ferries, it was noted that this could be included in the 2023/24 plan.

Social Economic Duties Audit 2021

In response to a question where it was challenged whether 'adequate' was the correct conclusion in the audit, considering that impact assessments had to be supported by data in order to justify the statements, it was noted that one part of the final assessment form was being addressed here, in response to the duty of encouraging better processes to make strategic decisions and for the Authority to consider the inequality that derived from economic disadvantage.  In response to a supplementary question as to whether gathering views and experiences were considered per group or area, it was noted that views were gathered per individual or group, but that geographical information was available for consideration. It was reiterated that requests for experiences seemed to overcome the need for data by now.

Audits of Plas Gwilym, Hafod Mawddach and Bryn Blodau Residential Care Homes

·         Concern that a pattern was emerging regarding concerns at Care Homes.

·         Has consideration been given to the complaints that are relevant to this service? Although a corporate complaints audit has been completed, is it possible to build the findings into the Audit? Suggestion to look at specific events, complaints, matters arising as a part of the future methodology - that it is possible to use other sources of information such as Ombudsman reports.

·         That the findings of the audit are too favourable considering the historical patterns to the control steps.

·         That there is a culture in this field, not restricted to the three homes in question alone, to cut corners and ignore procedures - need to act and refer the matter to the Care Scrutiny Committee.

c)    The officer was thanked for the report.

RESOLVED:

·         To accept the report

·         To support the actions that have already been agreed with the relevant services

·         To request an update from the Audit on Taxi Safety (limited assurance level)

·         That the matter of not implementing regulatory procedures in Care Homes should be referred to the Care Scrutiny Committee.