Agenda, decisions and minutes

As noted above.

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

Councillor Non Dafydd declared a personal interest in Item 4 – Modernising Day Opportunities : Learning Opportunities (Holyhead area).

Councillor Jeff Evans declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Item 4 – Modernising Day Opportunities : Learning Opportunities (Holyhead area).

To submit, for confirmation, the minutes of the following meetings:-

·       Minutes of the special meeting held on 13 November, 2023;

·       Minutes of the meeting held on 22 November, 2023.

The minutes of the following meetings were confirmed as correct:-

·       Minutes of the special meeting held on 13 November, 2023.

·       Minutes of the meeting held on 22 November, 2023.

To submit a report by the Head of Adults’ Services.

The report of the Head of Adults’ Services was presented for the Committee’s consideration. 

The Portfolio Member for Adults’ Services said that before the pandemic, the former Morswyn school building provided activities for approximately 20 individuals with learning disabilities.  When the pandemic restrictions were eased, the Morswyn building could not accommodate the same number of people due to social distancing rules being implemented.  In response to the challenge, the Adults’ Services began using community buildings in the town of Holyhead to hold activities.  Boston Centre Stage and the Sea Scouts buildings have been used regularly.  Traditionally, day activities for people with learning disabilities have been provided from a designated building and the Council has four specific sites which provide activities at Morswyn Day Centre, Holyhead, Gors Felen Day Centre, Llangefni, Blaen y Coed Day Centre, Llangoed and Haulfre Gardens, Llangoed.  It is imperative that people with learning difficulties have a choice of activities and support to live a full and active live and to promote the improvement of confidence, independence and have an integrable place within their local communities.  He noted that the Adults’ Services wishes to develop the model and extend the number of settings that provide day activities for people with learning disabilities in the Holyhead area diverting resources from the Morswyn Day Centre that would help progress the vision.  During August to September 2023, the Adults’ Services Department gathered the wishes of people who use day activities in the Holyhead area and their families.  The aim of the exercise was to ascertain the opinions of users and their families about the activities provided from community settings and to gauge what people want to see in the future.  A formal consultations process was undertaken between 23 October, 2023 to 1 December, 2023 on the future of day activities at the Morswyn Day Centre (a summary of the responses was attached  within the report).   The Portfolio Member highlighted that most people want to see more variety in the day care provision and want more activities to be provided in an increased number of different settings.  He noted that ending the day activities at the Morswyn Day Centre would release resources and allow the Adults’ Services to move resources and staff to extend day activities held in other community buildings.  However, individuals with no experience of community activities were less supportive of the options put forward.  The Adults’ Services will work with these individuals to identify how best to cater for their needs.

The Head of Adults’ Services reported that the ambition of the modernisation of day facilities for people with learning disabilities is driven by the need to expand the facilities within local communities and to address the needs of the service users.  Following the pandemic, most of the service users who attended the Morswyn Day Centre are now receiving a variety of opportunities within other facilities in their communities.  He noted that the provision at the Morswyn Day Centre does not currently address the needs of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To submit a report by the Chief Executive.

The progress report of the Chief Executive incorporating the North Wales Economic Ambition Board Q2 : 2023/2024 was submitted for information. 

The Chief Executive referred that the quarter 2 report saw 5 new projects invited to join the Growth Deal as is noted within the report and one of these is the Holyhead Hydrogen Hub project by Menter Môn.  He noted that immense work has been undertaken to assure that these projects are approved. 

It was RESOLVED to note the progress made during Quarter 2 : 2023/2024.

ACTION : As noted above.

To submit a report by the Scrutiny Manager.

 The report of the Scrutiny Manager setting out the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee’s indicative Forward Work Programme 2023/204 was presented for consideration.

The Scrutiny Manager reported that the item on Modernising Day Opportunities : Learning Disabilities scheduled for the February, 2024 meeting is to be rescheduled to a date to be agreed.

It was RESOLVED:-

·         To agree the current version of the forward work programme for 2023/2024, subject to that the item on Modernising Day Opportunities : Learning Disabilities scheduled for the February, 2024 meeting be rescheduled to a date to be agreed.

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

ACTION : As noted above.