Agenda item

To consider the report.

a)    To accept the report and to note the observations.

b)     Support the proposal to hold a full review of the current provision and consider an alternative model.

c)     Ask officers to ensure that the new model provides consistent service across the county including service for those who live in rural areas.

d)     Ask the department to present a further report on the review and the possible models when timely, to give the scrutinisers the opportunity to give further input.

 

The report was presented explaining that the traditional model of providing Day Care had not been reviewed in Gwynedd for many years and it had not been adapted to meet the needs of the Social Services and Well-being Act (Wales) 2014 that came into force in April 2016. It was explained that it was timely to reconsider the provision especially considering recent work that had been done by the Welsh Government and the way that the pandemic had emphasised the importance of socialising opportunities and being a part of a community towards individuals' well-being. It was noted that the hope was that the review would be an opportunity to consider different, more suitable and flexible ways of providing support and services.

 

It was explained that the Council used to provide a programme of traditional day care activities in specific locations in the county for adults who needed support. These centres enabled elderly people to socialise and participate in specific activities, giving an opportunity for the ones who take care of them on a daily basis to have a brief respite.

 

It was explained that the department's intention was to move away from the traditional model of providing services associated with buildings and focus instead on how to address and support the well-being of individuals and carers in many ways. To achieve this, it was noted that the department intended to hold a review and consult with the people of Gwynedd on day care provision arrangements.

 

During the discussion, the following observations were noted:-

 

-        The members expressed their thanks for the report and the developments were welcomed. The members' appreciation was expressed on how honest the content was and the way it admitted that the present provision failed to reach everyone.

 

-        It was noted that the Social Services and Well-being Act (Wales) 2014 had been in force for seven years now therefore it was asked why was it now that the department intended to reconsider the provision?

o   In response, it was explained that the department had started on the work before the pandemic, but the work had to stop because of safety matters. It was noted that it was timely to reconsider the matter now, but acknowledgement was given to the fact that the work should have been done years ago.

o   The Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Well-being added that there had been enormous pressure on the department and that had contributed directly to the time it had taken to revisit the work.

 

-        Concern was expressed that the provision had not reached the rural areas of the County and there was a need to take steps to ensure better provision for these areas in the future.

o   In response, it was agreed that the provision in rural areas was important, but it would not be possible to have a centre in every village.

o   Despite this, it was noted that community activities had been happening in most communities and that there was a need to see what would be available in different areas and use them in order to provide the support for individuals.

o   It was noted that one of the best ways of supporting people was to continue to let them be part of the community, especially in cases where companionship was the problem and therefore collaborating with the community was essential.

-        It was accepted that there was a need to adapt the service in order to address the needs of individuals, but it was noted that the traditional model had worked for some people. In association with this, it was asked why had three centres, in Bala, Porthmadog and Caernarfon closed?

o   In response, it was explained that the centres had been closed for many years and the ones in Bala and Porthmadog had closed as part of the extra care housing developments.

o   It was explained that the situation in the context of Caernarfon was a little bit different. The centre was closed because the building was sub-standard and work on the building would have been too costly. It was noted that the department had decided not to spend on that as there was an intention to restructure. It was also explained that Age Cymru had opened a centre in Bontnewydd therefore a provision continued in the area although it was provided in a different way.

o   It was explained that closing these centres a few years back was an initial part of the programme that was now being resumed.

 

-        It was noted that it was necessary that the provision was expanded over all of Gwynedd and if revisiting the matter as a whole, it would be necessary to look at how people got transported to the locations.

o   In response, it was noted that the comment was fair enough but to bear in mind that day services of this kind were not a statutory requirement. Instead, what was statutory was a provision that supported adults.

o   It was explained that transport was one of the matters that needed consideration once it would be clear what was offered across Gwynedd. It was noted that maybe there would be a way for families to help with transporting individuals to some locations.

 

-        Concern was expressed that there would not be an opportunity for families to have a period of respite if they had to transport the individuals to the locations.

o   It was agreed that there was a need to consider the well-being of the families and it was confirmed that the department intended to explore different options to ensure that they were not totally dependent on transport from the families.

 

-        Questions were asked about the sum of money that was wasted on paying rent on empty buildings and on staff who did not work their full contract hours. Concern was expressed that agency staff were called in to fill the gap.

o   It was noted that this was a problem now and that work was under way to try to improve the situation. It was explained that the department hoped that the picture improved after the restructuring. 

 

-        Enquiries were made regarding the timescale of restructuring by noting that the department had many ideas and that the work of discussing and holding investigations could take years. Because of this, it was noted that having a clear timetable was essential and it was asked what intention was there to monitor / review the process to ensure that another seven years did not elapse.

o   In response, it was explained that the department was eager to get a recommendation soon and that they did not want the matter to slip. Despite this, it was noted that they did not have a specific programme yet but that they intended to have a robust timetable soon.

o   It was confirmed that the department intended to monitor the work whilst going forward instead of holding formal reviews.

 

-        It was noted that many more things were happening within our communities now compared to what was available seven years ago. It was proposed that there was possibly room to consider using virtual opportunities as well as trying to collaborate with businesses and other organisations in the community in order to boost the local economy more widely. 

 

-        Enquiries were made regarding the sustainability of collaborating with other organisations which were often dependent on grant money in order to provide the service. It was asked if there was a financial risk here?

o   In response, it was noted that the department was not likely to provide grant money towards this type of service and that the work would be commissioned instead.

o   It was explained that the sustainability of providing the service was a significant factor in the proses of planning, especially when considering how diverse the situations were within different communities.

 

RESOLVED

 

a)     To accept the report and to note the observations.

b)     Support the proposal to hold a full review of the current provision and consider an alternative model.

c)     Ask the officers to ensure that the new model provided consistent service across the county including service for those who lived in rural areas.

d)     Ask the department to present a further report on the review and the possible models when timely in order to give the scrutinisers an opportunity to give further input.