Agenda item

To consider the reports.

1.    To accept the report and to note the observations while welcoming the idea of a cross-departmental procedure to monitor grants.

2.    To receive a progress report on the field by the departments in 2025.

The report was presented by expressing gratitude for the opportunity to discuss the contribution of the third sector. It was noted that they were invaluable and it was critical to scrutinise their work as well as to scrutinise measuring the value of the sector. A huge debt was acknowledged for the work of the third sector, especially with the public sector shrinking as they responded so quickly and flexibly. It was emphasised that there was a need to ensure that the Council received the most value for money to ensure the most effective service.

 

The committee members were thanked for the enquiry to investigate this field. It was noted that it had been an opportunity to raise awareness of the work taking place. Thanks was also reiterated to the field, by emphasising that they were considered as an extremely important partner to the Council.

 

It was expressed that the committee's request had been very timely and had allowed the department to review their contracts. It was emphasised that this report only looked at organisations in the care field and organisations that only received contributions for running costs and not for commissioning specific services. Attention was drawn to the fact that the report highlighted matters that had arisen over the previous years, as well as historical matters that would be challenging to come to terms with and to look at how to build on this work. It was noted that a meeting had been arranged a fortnight ago, where the financial situation was discussed and it was announced that funding for 2024/25 would be the same as what was received in 2023/24, as well as highlighting the timetable to discuss the way forward and for future commission work.

 

During the discussion, the following observations were noted:-

 

-       It was highlighted that the report showed the inconsistencies in terms of the level of detail received on performance information asked about the third sector, and it was asked whether further information had been received.

o   It was simply noted that there was a need for organisations to report on what they do with the funding received, it was agreed that there were inconsistencies across the sector, and that there was a need to reconcile the information received. 

 

-       It was enquired what were the arrangements in terms of monitoring and whether the Council received value for money.

o   The Scrutiny Committee was thanked for bringing the matter to the attention of the departments, it was noted that a great deal of information came back to the Council but the discussion had motivated both departments to have a strong system to monitor and reconcile across the sector.

 

-       It was highlighted that only some of the third sector organisations were available in the report and some organisations seemed to be missing.

o   ⁠It was explained that the report focused on preventative work in the Adults Department and the Children's Department. It was highlighted that other departments such as the Housing and Property Department used third sector organisations to run preventative services, and that they might need input from other departments who overlap. It was emphasised that the organisations were discussed here for the core grants and not for purchasing services from them. It was highlighted that several additional organisations to what was included in this report highlighted how departments commissioned work from the third sector and had highlighted that more work needed to be done.

 

-       It was enquired whether the description of the charity Gorwel's work was a specific description and described the work that they do.

o   It was noted that the department would look at the matter to ensure that it was correct.

 

-       Pride was noted of the work that had been done and that the use of service level agreements was much more professional than what had been offered years ago.

 

-       Concern was expressed about contracts that needed to be signed, as contracts gave assurance to the organisations for the perseverance of plans also funding for 2024/25.         

o   It was explained that the departments hoped that this work meant that it would be possible to offer long-term contracts that would enable the organisations to plan ahead. In terms of the financial element, it was explained that the funding would stay the same and that inflation was not being considered for 2024/25.

 

-       It was enquired what elements of statutory services were provided by organisations that offered a preventative service and whether funding was being cut, was there a risk for statutory duties not to be delivered.

o   It was noted that elements of work were being commissioned, such as Carers' Outreach. It was expressed that there was a need to maybe discuss the statutory elements and to consider them separately. In terms of the Children's Department elements, it was noted that there were two specific fields - as early intervention and prevention that was a part of the Families First programme, and that this work was funded by specific grants.

 

-       It was enquired whether there was an intention to commission preventative work via open competition in the future. 

o   It was explained that it was an option for the Adults department to consider some services but there was a need to ensure that services were similar across the whole county. It was noted that it was an open competition in the Children's department, and that there would be a re-tendering cycle in 2025.

 

-       By looking at the Children's department, it was enquired whether there was an intention to commission Barnardo’s to do the Family Support Team's work in Arfon and Dwyfor and it was asked why the procedure was different in Meirionnydd.

o   It was expressed that this had happened because of internal capacity in Meirionnydd and, as a result, it was decided to go to tender. 

 

RESOLVED

 

1)    To accept the report and to note the observations while welcoming the idea of a cross-departmental procedure to monitor grants.

2)    To receive a progress report on the field by the departments in 2025.