Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and referred to the main business to be considered comprising of the Annual Report of the Statutory Director on the Effectiveness of Social Services in 2020/21 which would also be presented to the Executive and thereafter to Full Council.

To receive any declaration of interest by any Member or Officer in respect of any item of business.

Councillor Dylan Rees declared a personal but not prejudicial interest with regard to item 3 on the agenda having volunteered with the Bwyd Da Môn initiative.

To present the minutes of the previous meeting of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee held on 7 June, 2021.

The minutes of the previous meeting of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee held on 7 June, 2021 were presented and were confirmed as correct.

To present the draft annual report of the Director of Social Services.

The Director’s draft Annual Report on the effectiveness of Social Services in 2020/21 was presented for the Committee’s consideration. The report is produced in accordance with statutory requirement and seeks to promote awareness and accountability for the performance and progress made over the past year in delivering Social Services within the Council as well as outlining the improvement priorities for the forthcoming year.

The Director of Social Services in presenting the report emphasised that it is a reflection of the achievements of Social Services working in partnership with other Council services, elected members, and supporting agencies to deliver the range of Social Services functions in 2020/21; it provides an overview of what has been achieved in the past twelve months in terms of making a difference in people’s lives and it sets out the priorities for the coming year. The Director referred to the year gone by as having been one of the most challenging years to have been employed in Social Services because of the world wide coronavirus pandemic; thanks are especially due to all Social Services staff for their efforts and hard work during this very challenging period and also to the Authority’s Foster Carers for meeting the challenges which adapting to a very different way of working created.

During the year Social Services maintained regular contact with Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) colleagues and both Adults and Children and Families’ Services were the subject of a recent assurance inspection by CIW the outcome of which was positive and will be detailed in a formal review letter to be published in the near future. CIW also conducted visits to the Service’s two Small Group Homes the feedback from which was equally positive. As people’s needs evolve and change so must Social Services and the Service is looking at the way in which it provides services going forwards – a process which has been accentuated by the pandemic which has brought about a rapid change in the way that things are done and prompted the introduction of a number of innovative working practices. 

The Council and Social Services’ Officers as professional practitioners play their part in contributing to both regional and national dialogue and discussions in order to ensure that the needs and voice of Anglesey residents are heard when decisions at those levels are made.

In highlighting some of many developments in Adults’ and Children and Families’ Services during the year the Director of Social Services referred to the shift to digital platforms and the use of technology to engage with a number of client groups including the development of virtual village halls and the provision of online services to  support people with dementia and their carers; technology has also been used to deliver special interest and leisure activities including yoga sessions and a knitting club; the Service has been able to provide clients with the necessary technology and to support them in its usage. Partnership working has proved invaluable and Social Services has worked closely during the period  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To present the report of the Scrutiny Manager.

The Committee’s forward work programme to November, 2021 was presented for consideration. The Chair reminded Members to get in touch either with himself or the Vice-Chair should they have a topic which they would like to be considered for inclusion on the work programme.

It was resolved –

·         To agree the current version of the forward work programme for 2021/22.

·         To note the progress thus far in implementing the forward work programme.