Agenda item

To consider whether the revised Compact provides a robust foundation for a more consistent, effective and collaborative relationship between Cyngor Gwynedd and the Third Sector.

To accept the report.

 

To recommend that the Cabinet approves the Compact provided that they

·       provide a supporting action plan setting out responsibilities, timelines, resources, success measures and reporting arrangements

·       submit a regular report to the Scrutiny Committee every 2 years.

 

The report was presented by the Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Well-being. Referring to the report, it was highlighted that the third sector was vital to the work of various services and departments across the Council, and an integral element of the work of supporting residents in Gwynedd. It was noted that the Compact set a framework for the relationship between Cyngor Gwynedd and the Third Sector. It was noted that the Third Sector included a wide range of charities, voluntary organisations, social enterprises and community groups who made a significant contribution to the well-being of the people of Gwynedd and provide services that complement the Council's work.

 

It was explained that the new framework for the relationship was essential to provide effective services to the people of Gwynedd. There was pride regarding the close relationship with the third sector, which supports effective provision for the benefit of Gwynedd communities.

 

As part of the Compact, it was noted that the Council and the Third Sector had a key role to play in working together and developing and promoting social and community enterprises. It was noted that the Council was working very closely with Mantell Gwynedd to develop the Compact. It was ensured that the developmental conversations regarding the third sector took place with the help of Mantell Gwynedd to ensure an active and efficient relationship.

 

It was acknowledged that there were ongoing challenges with collaboration with external agencies, and it was highlighted that the Compact agreement supported the establishment of values and principles of collaboration within the relationship to empower communities and place Gwynedd residents first. It was ensured that the Council had been consulted extensively and had received a great deal of feedback, which was incorporated in the Compact document.

 

Members had the opportunity to comment and submit questions;

 

-       It was asked whether specific examples of problems raised with the arrangements under the previous Compact agreement could be provided, and how the new Compact agreement would address these problems and challenges? In response, it was acknowledged that it was a challenging task to give specific examples without drawing public attention to some problems that had arisen between some agencies. However, it was explained that disagreements had arisen over the years for reasons such as funding, available grants and provision. It was explained that frustration had arisen in relation to the Council's ability to provide long-term and short-term funding, from the third sector. It was noted that the long-term plans of the third sector were often limited due to a lack of long-term funding.

 

 

-       It was asked what would be different for third sector organisations and for the residents of Gwynedd as a result of the adoption of this Compact compared to the old Compact? In response, it was ensured that the new Compact sets objectives to seek to fund third sector organisations better and prioritised financial support to ensure better sustainable provision for the community. It was noted that the new Compact was an opportunity to renew the relationship since the new well-being of the future laws were enabled and an opportunity for the Council to prioritise the relationship with the third sector to deliver consistent and successful provision. The officers who had worked on the renewal of the Compact were thanked and it was noted that it had made it much easier to understand and more accessible to all. It was believed that this would ultimately improve the relationship setting out clear expectations from the agreement which would lay a solid foundation for future efficient working.

 

 

-       Reference was made to how the Compact aimed to enable residents and communities to thrive. It was noted that it offered a measure of success through broad questions such as 'have the partnerships strengthened a culture of collaboration'. It was also asked how the Council would measure this if it happened as a direct result of improving the arrangements? It was also asked what specific indicators would be used to illustrate this improvement? In response to the questions, it was ensured that the Compact sets the groundwork for empowering communities by strengthening the relationship and setting expectations between the agencies. It was also admitted that they were challenging questions to answer, noting that it was challenging to establish measures and indicators. It was ensured that the outcomes of the Third Sector Compact could be seen across the Council and across county services, through the consequential support of the relationship. It was noted that fewer people were waiting for domiciliary care services, and transport continued to improve provision. It was noted that the department would consider developing indicators and measures jointly with the third sector and would come back to the committee with any developments.

-       A Member asked how the council would ensure that the third sector liaison group was not dominated by larger organisations with greater capacity to participate? It was asked what arrangements were in place to ensure that organisations not represented on the group, had the opportunity to influence decisions? In response to this, it was ensured that this had not previously been an issue with the Compact. It was noted that all agencies had a fair opportunity to be involved in the developing discussions, and it was ensured that there was a broad representation of the different sectors within the third sector and that they took their responsibilities seriously. In response to an enquiry, it was ensured that representatives from all third sector organisations were invited to be part of the liaison group.

 

-       Attention was drawn to the concerns of Audit Wales about missed opportunities in relation to social enterprises and it was asked what evidence would indicate that Gwynedd was making better use of social enterprises and community organisations compared to previous years. In response to this, this work was identified as arising from the concerns raised by Audit Wales and designating duties to the council and third sector organisations. It was elaborated that Mantell Gwynedd had been a key part of the development of the Compact to ensure the effectiveness of the scheme. It was ensured that Mantell Gwynedd used recognised methods of measuring the success of community enterprises which also assisted Council departments with developing similar systems.

 

-       During the discussion, reference was made to the fact that there were tens of third sector organisations in Gwynedd that were not incorporated in the Compact as well as many unofficial groups that come together to get things organised and provide a lot of support to the community. They were thanked for their work, recognising that there was much more to be done to support the small organisations to ensure they can provide a service and support safely within the community.

 

-       Commenting on the Third Sector Liaison Group, reference was made to the way in which Mantell Gwynedd worked jointly with Third Sector organisations to select suitable representatives for membership of the Liaison Group. It was asked how Council representatives would be selected from service areas related to the third sector. In response, it was confirmed that a combination of officers and Cabinet Members and Members would be representatives on the group.

 

-       It was asked who inspected the county's extra care homes? Dissatisfaction was expressed with the fact that the provider was being inspected and not the home and the service itself. It was expressed that it was extremely important that the Council therefore inspected the individual organisations within the county to ensure an acceptable standard of care and support for Gwynedd residents. In response to the comments, it was clarified that responsibility for individuals remained with the Council, even when individuals enter a third sector support home. It was ensured that constant supervision continued to ensure that the service was of good quality, through regular meetings and close relationships with the social workers. This was elaborated on, noting that the Council worked very closely with organisations such as Seren and Anheddau, and constantly monitors the provision with officers visiting and inspecting the establishments.

 

-       Referring to Audit Wales' note that local authorities were in a position to do more to maximise the impact of the third sector, ensure better value for money, it was asked who would be responsible for this and would monitor how the money would be spent? In response to this, it was clarified that data would be reported regularly and Mantell Gwynedd would assist the Council in ensuring value for money. It was explained that a large number of contracts go through the commissioning unit which secured, measured and monitored the impacts of the services to ensure value for money. It was suggested that it would be beneficial for a representative from Mantell Gwynedd to attend the committee next time during the discussion on the Compact Agreement.

 

DECISION

 

To accept the report.

 

To recommend that the Cabinet approves the Compact provided that they

 

• Provide a supporting action plan setting out responsibilities, timelines, resources, success measures and reporting arrangements

 

• Submit a regular report to the Scrutiny Committee every 2 years.