Agenda item

Public Services Board - Scrutiny of Governance Arrangements

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

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed Mr Emyr Williams, Chair of the Gwynedd and Anglesey Public Services Board and Ms Nonn Hughes, Programme Manager to the meeting.

 

Submitted – a report by the Programme Manager, Gwynedd and Anglesey Public Services Board.

 

The Leader said that the Authority is committed to the principles within the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.  The Council provides a range of services which will fulfil its individual well-being objectives, as well as contributing to supporting the well-being objectives of the Public Services Board.

 

The Programme Manager, Gwynedd and Anglesey Public Services Board reported on the governance arrangements of the Public Service Board.  It was noted that the  Public Services Board has four statutory members as stated in the Terms of Reference namely - The Local Authorities, Health Resources Wales and the Fire Service together with guest participants who contribute to the Board’s duties.  The Board has established Sub-Groups to support the delivery of its work.  An update on the work of the Sub-Groups was included within the report.  The four Sub-Groups are accountable to the Public Services Board in relation to any work commissioned.  The Sub-Groups update the Board on progress quarterly, and during the meetings of the Board the update reports are challenged and discussed in detail.  She further said that due to the covid-19 pandemic, the regional Coordination Group has agreed on areas that needs focus in the recovery of our communities from the pandemic.  A workshop was held in September to discuss the role of the Public Services Board in the recovery of the pandemic, with particular focus on community resilience. Following the workshop it was agreed that the Public Services Board’s priorities moving forward will be to continue with the core work of the Public Services Board as the current objectives and priorities of the Well-being Plan remain current.  There will be an opportunity to revise the work streams of existing sub-groups by taking into account the findings of the workshop.  Over the coming months all the sub-groups will give due consideration to adapting their work programmes and milestones.  It was also agreed to undertaken further research in some areas, to ascertain the latest position such a financial poverty and unemployment.  

 

The Chair of the Gwynedd and Anglesey Public Services Board said that the Public Services Board have been established in accordance with the Well-being Act but no financial resources has been afforded and it has been difficult to deliver.  It was also emphasised that the Public Services Board is firm that they want to avoid duplication, as the purpose of the Public Services Board is to add value to existing schemes. 

 

The Committee considered the report and made the following points:-

 

·           Questions raised as to what extent are the reporting and monitoring processes on the work of the sub-groups sufficiently structured and robust, an ensure accountability of the sub-groups and hold them to account in terms of the implementation of the work programmes.  The Programme Manager responded that the sub-groups update the Board on progress quarterly, and during the meetings of the Board the update reports are challenged and discussed in detail.  The leaders of the Public Services Board sub-groups are members of the Public Services Board, and it is their responsibility to submit an action plan and details about delivery;

·           Questions raised as to what extent are the arrangements to amend the work programmes’ of the Public Services Board as a result of Covid-19 sufficiently robust in order to respond to current and possible future challenges.  The Chair of the Public Services Board said that the Minister for Housing and Local Government has set out procedures and specifically in respect of community resilience.  The Board’s decision was be convene a workshop and numerous suggestions were received by partner organisations. He noted that lessons can be learnt from the pandemic as to the resilience of local communities and how to address issues without duplication of services afforded by statutory bodies.

 

It was RESOLVED to note the Gwynedd and Anglesey Public Services Board governance arrangements.

 

ACTION : As noted above.

 

Supporting documents: