Issue - meetings

To submit the joint report of the Head of Children’s Services and the Head of Adults’ Services.

It was RESOLVED to approve the establishment of a Regional Partnership Board as outline in Option 1 of the report.

The joint report of the Head of Children’s Services and the Head of Adult’s Services was presented for the Executive’s approval with regard to the establishment of a Regional Partnership Board.

The Portfolio Holder (Housing & Social Services) stated that the Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Act 2014 requires the establishment of a Regional Partnership Board which are statutory boards within each region in Wales.  The Act also requires local authorities to make arrangements to promote co-operation with their relevant partners and others in relation to adults with needs for care and support, carers and children.  He further stated that the Act also provides for partnership arrangements between local authorities and Local Health Boards for the discharge of their functions.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Governance and Business Process Transformation) stated that there has been extensive regional partnership working between North Wales authorities for a number of years.  The workshop held on 14 March, 2016 with members of the current Partnership Forum and Leadership Groups considered two options to comply with the requirements within Part 9 of the Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Act 2014.  It was agreed that the preferred option was Option 1as it was not felt that the Regional Partnership Board would be able to manage the mixing of strategic and operational responsibilities and it was felt that this would impede its effectiveness.  The Assistant Chief Executive further stated that a representative from the Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board will also be a member of the Board.

The Chair referred to the Public Services Board and expressed his concern that there might be some duplication of service with the Regional Partnership Board.  He hoped that a review of the services provided by both the Boards will be undertaken.   The Chair asked for a presentation on the performance of the Boards can be afforded to the monthly Elected Members briefing meetings within 3 to 6 months.

It was RESOLVED to approve the establishment of a Regional Partnership Board as outline in Option 1 of the report.