Agenda item

To submit a report by the Gwynedd and Anglesey Public Services Programme Manager. 

Submitted – a progress report by the Gwynedd and Anglesey Public Services Programme Manager on the delivery of the Well-being Plan for the Gwynedd and Anglesey Public Services Board.

The aim of the Well-being of the Future Generations Act (2015) is to improve the economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales.  The Public Services Board Well-being Assessment for the Anglesey well-being areas was published in May 2017 and following a series of engagement and consultation session, the Well-being Plan was established in 2018.  The Well-being Plan confirms the two objectives and six priority fields for which it was agreed that the Board could collaborate in order to ensure the best results for the residents of Gwynedd and Anglesey. 

The Chief Executive reported that the Public Services Board has been established on a secure foundation with continued work expected to be undertaken within the Board to reach its commitment as regards to the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

The Gwynedd and Anglesey Public Services Programme Manager reported that the Public Services Board agreed on priority areas to achieve the objectives noted within the report.  Four sub-groups have been established under Objective 1 – Communities which thrive and are prosperous in the long-term as follows :-

·      The Welsh Language Sub-Group – The sub-group submitted a request to Welsh Government to support the ‘ARFer’ project which enables public bodies to share good practice in dealing with linguistic habits and the understanding of behavioural psychology.

·      Homes for local people Sub-Group – The sub-group will develop a detailed business case to (1) Appraise innovative housing models. (2) produce a financial case and determine funding arrangements for the schemes (3) develop innovative housing in our communities.

·      The impact of poverty on the well-being of our communities Sub-group – The sub-group will emphasise the relationship between equality and poverty and develop a tool to extend equality impact assessment to also include the effects of poverty.

·      The impact of climate change on the well-being of our communities Sub-group – The work of sub-group will enable the Public Services Board to consider the impacts of climate change on the delivery of public services to communities in the area.

The Gwynedd and Anglesey Public Services Programme Manager further reported that the two priority areas of ‘health and care of adults’ and the welfare and achievements of children and young people’ contribute towards Objective 2.  It was agreed to establish one sub-group to address the two priorities – The West integrated Health and Social Care Group. 

The Sub-Groups will be presenting update reports to the Public Services Board at its meeting to be held on 13 March, 2019 and to seek support of the Board to continue to develop the work undertaken to date by the sub-groups.  The Sub-Groups reports to the Board on a quarterly basis.  It was also noted that the Public Services Board is currently subject to scrutiny by the designated Scrutiny Committee of both Gwynedd and Anglesey local authorities. It is anticipated that the Public Services Board’s annual report will be submitted to the Scrutiny Committee’s in June.

Mrs Ffion Johnson, West Area Director, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said that she is at present the Chair of the Public Services Board but she will be withdrawing from the role to concentrate on the Health and Social Care Group as Chair.  

The Committee considered the report and raised the following:-

·      Reference was made that people can become isolated within a Care Home when the Welsh language is not spoken.  Questions were raised as to how the Public Services Board was addressing such an issue as part of their Welsh language priority to promote the use of Welsh language.  The Chair of the Public Services Board responded that as part of her role within the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board there has been complaints from families and residents of Care Homes as regards to the Welsh language not been spoken but said that the Health Board is focusing on promoting the Welsh language within its front line staff at present and it is anticipated that it will filter down in other staff within the service;

·      Clarification was sought as to the background of the ARFer scheme.  The Gwynedd and Anglesey Public Services Programme Manager responded that the ARFer scheme is a project led by the Bangor University with regard to developing the use of the Welsh Language amongst Welsh speakers who do not use the language or are not comfortable in speaking Welsh.  The University intends to expand the programme and test is effectiveness in a variety of different contexts.  The Chief Executive said that the County Council has been promoting the use of the Welsh language within services and developing Welsh language skills with members of staff;

·      Reference was made that it was an intention by the Public Services Board to establish a joint scrutiny panel between the two counties.  The Gwynedd and Anglesey Public Services Programme Manager responded that discussion will be undertaken within the Board as regard to establishing a joint scrutiny panel within the coming months. 

It was RESOLVED to note the progress of the work of the Public Services Board.

ACTION : That the Annual Report by the Public Services Board be submitted to the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee at its meeting to be held in June.