Agenda, decisions and minutes

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Venue: Virtual Meeting (at present members of the public are unable to attend)

Contact: Mrs Mairwen Hughes 

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

As noted above.

2.

Declaration of Interest

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

Minutes:

None received.

3.

Ynys Mon County Council and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board Shared Service Delivery (Pooled Budget) Pilot - Learning Disabilities pdf icon PDF 351 KB

To submit a report the Interim Head of Adults Services.

Minutes:

 Submitted – a report by the Interim Head of Adults’ Services. 

 

The Leader with responsibility for Social Services reported that the pilot scheme – learning disabilities sets out the priority for both the County Council and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board for the initial 12 months period to set up a project in an experimental model of pooled budgets.  The pilot scheme is aimed to ensure that best use of funds, across the local authority and the health board will be used to make timely decisions in the day to day care and support for Learning Disabilities clients. The pilot scheme will have the added benefit of supporting the delivery of the North Wales Social Services and Wellbeing Improvement Collaborative Integration Agreement under Part 9 of the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014.

 

The Interim Head of Adults’ Services reported that it is an ongoing challenge to balance the needs of citizens within the financial allocation, but the pilot scheme, supported by a Section 33 agreement, highlights clear integrated planning.   She noted that there are 36 jointly funded care packages for individuals who live within supported living which are incorporated into Phase 1 of the pilot scheme. She noted that this links to the supported living tendering process.  It has been agreed that the full amount for the pooled budget will be transferred by April 2021 and that the management and administration of the budget will be carried out by the Authority as the host organisation.  An independent evaluation of the pilot will be carried out by IPC in order to ascertain the success or otherwise of the project.  The current total spend for the Health Board and the Local Authority is currently:-

 

·      Health Board                    -           £1,346,723.81

·      Local Authority                -           £1,819,478.06

 

She further reiterated that this is a Phase 1 pilot for 12 months and an external evaluation of the pilot scheme will decide how to move forward after the 12 months period and the Regional Partnership Board will evaluate the progress of the scheme with quarterly report submitted to the Board.   

 

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

 

·           Questions raised as to how the signing of the Section 33 Agreement will manage any possible risks to the Council of introducing a pooled budget.  The Interim Head of Adults’ Services responded that the funding from both the local authority and health board will not be increased and the Section 33 Agreement stipulates that neither organisation can withdraw financial commitment during the Phase 1 period of the agreement;

·           Questions raised whether a similar scheme has taken place within any other local authority in Wales or England and whether lessons can be learnt from such schemes.  The Service Manager – Learning Disability and Mental Health responded that a visit was arranged to Manchester to listen to their partnership board when consideration was undertaken in respect of initial discussion as regards to pooled budgets.  She noted that the pooled budget initiative partnership in the Manchester areas was extensive with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

Governance Arrangement 2 - North Wales Economic Ambition Board pdf icon PDF 7 MB

To submit a report by the Chief Executive.

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed Ms Alwen Williams and Mr Hedd Vaughan Evans – North Wales Economic Ambition Board (EAB) to the meeting.

 

Submitted – a report by the Leader and the Chief Executive.

 

The Leader said that the EAB is committed to achieving the Final Deal Agreement with both the UK and Welsh Governments before the end of December 2020.  She noted that it is considered that the EAB has now reached a milestone and there is a clear plan to the projects contained within the Growth Deal. 

 

The Chief Executive reported that in 2016 the EAB adopted a Growth Vision for the Economy of North Wales. Based on the Growth Vision Strategy, a Growth Deal was prepared and agreed by all the partners working with both the UK and Welsh Government and the private sector in October 2018.  In November 2019 the EAB and the UK and Welsh Governments agreed the Heads of Terms, with a Final Deal Agreement to be completed in 2020.  She expressed that it is important that the Council is part of the EAB and that a strong governance structure and working in partnership has been imperative in reaching the milestone of being ready to sign the Final Deal Agreement. 

 

The Deputy Chief Executive reported that the Growth Bid does include a number of strategic economic development interventions and working in partnership the region can attract this investment; without the Ambition Board and the Growth Bid the resources would not have reach North Wales.  The Growth Bid afford a level of activity and investments by the public sector to support the economy which has not been seen since the austerity period.  The Business Plan attached report complies fully with the expectations and requirements of both the UK and Welsh Governments and which includes input from the private and public sectors.  The Deputy Chief Executive further said Growth Bid will support the high value sectors to flourish and address structural, long-term barriers to economic growth.  However, the Board is fully aware that in the short-term a range of actions will be needed to facilitate recovery and alignment between those short term measures and the Growth Deal is key.  It is anticipated that the Growth Bid will attract 4,000 new employment opportunities and will generate between £2 billion and £2.4 billion GVA per year and will attract possible investments of over £1billion.  

 

The Deputy Chief Executive further said that the anticipated direct benefit for Anglesey is as follows:-

 

·           Direct investment in capital projects on Anglesey including Holyhead Gateway, Morlais and MSParc development;

·           Supply chain and job opportunities for local companies from large capital project such as Morlais, Holyhead Gateway and other regional investments;

·           Improved digital connectivity for businesses, residents and visitors and a 5G tested at MSParc;

·           Access to new facilities, equipment, support and specialist research for food and drink businesses;

·           Access to cutting-edge research and support on sustainable farming techniques for Anglesey’s farming businesses through the Grwp Llandrillo Menai site in Glynllifon;

·           Opportunities for renewable energy  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Annual Report : Regional Partnership Board (Part 9 : Health and Social Services) pdf icon PDF 316 KB

To submit a report by the Interim Director of Social Services.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed Ms Bethan Jones Edwards – Head of Regional Collaboration (Denbighshire County Council) to the meeting. 

 

Submitted – a report by the Interim Director of Social Services.

 

The Leader with responsibilities for Social Services said that the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 requires that each Regional Partnership Board produces and publishes an Annual Report on its work and is submitted also the Welsh Government.  The Act requires that local authorities 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.  It places a duty on relevant partners to co-operate with, and provide information to, the local authorities for the purposes of their social services functions. 

 

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

 

·           Questions raised as to what extent is the pooled budget arrangement adequately robust for the provision of Care Homes across the region, and is it effectively managed.  The Head of Regional Collaboration responded that Part 9 of the Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Act 2014 stipulated that pooled budget is required as regards to Care Homes.  It was noted that transactional arrangement have been put in place across the region for pooled budgets and has been signed by the partnership organisations.  The Leader highlighted that there is a substantial risk as being part of the regional pooled budget in respect of this matter but measures have been put in place, in accordance with the expectations of Welsh Government as regards to pooled budgets and it safeguards the Authority and the region as a whole;

·           Questions raised to what extent does the work of the partnership contribute successfully towards achieving the principles of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 on the Island.  The Interim Director of Social Services referred to 4 projects on Anglesey that has seen substantial process i.e. Resilience Families (due to the pandemic funding has been afforded to local communities to provide activities to children and families);  CRT projects (Adults’ Services) – a phased scheme within the local communities has been established to co-ordinate the services to support individuals and especially when people are discharged from hospital; Learning Disabilities (mapping work has been undertaken on the Island in respect of day care facilities for learning disabilities); Mental Health (discussions are currently been undertaken with partner organisations regarding the I Can funding and how it can been rolled out to support mental health issues within the Island);

·           Questions raised as to how the membership of the Board changed since the introduction of the updated Part 9 Statutory Guidance in January 2019, and what additional value has this created regionally and locally.  The Head of Regional Collaboration responded that the guidelines came to effect in January 2019 following Welsh Government consultation on the draft guidelines, additional membership of the Board has included representatives from Registered Social Landlords, Housing Services and Education Services representatives from local authorities.  She noted that discussions are taking place to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Public Services Board - Scrutiny of Governance Arrangements pdf icon PDF 401 KB

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  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

Forward Work Programme for 2020/21 pdf icon PDF 346 KB

To submit a report by the Scrutiny Officer.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Submitted – the report of the Scrutiny Officer.

 

It was RESOLVED to note the Work Programme from September 2020 to April 2021.