Agenda item

To submit a report by the Director of Social Services in relation to the above.

Submitted – a report by the Director of Social Services in relation to the above.

The Leader of the Council and the Portfolio Holder for Social Services said that it is a requirement within the Part 9 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 that each Regional Partnership Board prepares, publishes and submits its Annual Report to 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 function.  She expressed that whilst the Authority participates within the Partnership Board it also take advantage of the opportunities which have resulted from Board.

The Head of the Regional Collaboration reported that whilst the pandemic has affected the planned projects of the Partnership Board it continued to meet virtually on a monthly basis.  The Board continues to review the main principles within the Act and makes sure that the priorities of the Board is sustainable and addresses the requirement in relation to care and support of children and adults.  She noted that the purpose of Part 9 of the Act is to improve outcomes and well-being of people, as well as improving the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery.  The key aims of co-operation, partnership and integration relates to:

·           To improve care and support, ensuring people have more say and control;

·           To improve outcomes and health and wellbeing;

·           Provide co-ordinated, person centred care and support;

·           Make more effective use of resources, skills and expertise.

The Head of the Regional Collaboration further said that Welsh Government has issued an updated Part 9 Statutory Guidance in January 2020 and the North Wales Regional Partnership Board is working in line with this Guidance.  The main changes relate to additional membership, additional focus on outcomes for children and young people and further focus on integration of services. She referred to the pilot work stream undertaken by the Isle of Anglesey County Council as regard to ‘pooled budget and Welsh Government have welcomed the project undertaken as it is the first Regional Partnership Board in Wales in successfully rolling out the ‘pooled budget’ scheme; it is anticipated that Welsh Government will be rolling out the ‘pooled budget’ scheme to other Regional Partnership Boards as good practise.  A total of £3.4m has been sourced from ICF funding towards 40 projects on the Island.

The Committee considered that report and maid the following points:-

·           Questions were raised as to the location the 40 projects which have received ICF funding on the Island.  The Director of Social Services responded that the projects are provided across the Island as regards to specific needs i.e. Cartrefi Clyd which are located within communities where buildings are available within schools catchment areas.  He further said that other projects have incorporated the third sector where funding has been undertaken i.e. Mencap Môn (as there is a shortfall of support for new parents with children with special educational needs).  He noted that such a pilot scheme may be rolled out across North Wales in the future.  ICF funding has also supported adult services projects across the Island;

·               Questions were raised as to what extent does the Partnership Board consider that the Community Resources Team achieve the vision of the Action Plan of integrating services between health and social services regionally.  The Director of Social Services responded that the Community Resources Team has a high level vision with 3 projects teams incorporated within the Authority.  A plan is in place to monitor as to how efficient the 3 projects teams have performed.  He further said that a joint group with the health board and social services has been established to enable the people not having to contact a range of services providers for the assistance; 

·               Reference was made to the last meeting of this Committee when the Chief Executive of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board addressed the meeting and referred to the transition measures of improvement the Health Board is undertaking and especially in Mental Health.  Questions were raised as to how the Partnership Board was supporting the Health Board with regard to the transition measures.  The Head of the Regional Collaboration responded that meetings are to be undertaken with the Health Board in the near future to discuss as to how the Partnership Board is able to support the transition measures.  She noted that it is imperative that the work of the Partnership Board does not impair or duplicate the work of the Health Board;

·           Questions were raised as to which ways will the work programmes of the Regional Partnership Board need to be amended and prioritised as a result of covid-19, and what role will it play during the recovery period.  The Head of the Regional Collaboration responded that the pandemic has affected the work streams of the Partnership Board and especially most of the partner organisations.  Work has been developed to increase staffing capacity within Social Care and within Care Homes. 

It was RESOLVED to note the work and progress in 2020/21 on the work areas that are being taken forward regionally through the North Wales Regional Partnership Board.

ACTION : As noted above.