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Members reviewed the Social Services budget cost pressures for 2025/26 and the response to an Audit Wales report on delays in discharging patients from hospital. They also accepted a proposal to end the joint Community Mental Health Team with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, and noted or supported progress reports on care inspection, safeguarding, fostering and the workforce.
RESOLVED: That the appointment of Councillor Sam Swash as Chair of the Committee for the remaining 2024/25 municipal year be noted.
RESOLVED: That Councillor Gladys Healey be appointed Vice-Chair for the remaining 2024/25 municipal year.
No declarations of interest were made.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
The minutes (agenda item number 5) of the meetings held on 5th September 2024 were presented for approval. RESOLVED: That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
The minutes record no declarations of interest.
The council hasn't recorded attendance for this meeting.
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Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: (a) That the Forward Work Programme be noted; (b) That the Facilitator, in consultation with the Chair of the Committee, be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises; and (c) That the Committee notes the progress made in completing the outstanding actions.
The Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator presented the current Forward Work Programme (agenda item number 6) for consideration, which included an update on outstanding actions. It was agreed that the report on the Re-Commissioning of Carers Services be moved to the February meeting and that a visit to the new NEWCIS Centre in Mold be undertaken prior to that meeting. Members were advised that the Climbie visit was in the process of being arranged for January/February. RESOLVED: (a) That the Forward Work Programme be noted; (b) That the Facilitator, in consultation with the Chair of the Committee, be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises; and (c) That the Committee notes the progress made in completing the outstanding actions.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: (a) That Members review and comment on the Social Services portfolio’s cost pressures; and (b) That the Committee were assured that the cost pressures were an essential requirement for the 2025/26 budget and that there was no scope to remove/defer them to assist with dealing with the budget challenge.
The Corporate Finance Manager presented a report (agenda item number 7) for Members to review and comment on cost pressures under the remit of the Committee. RESOLVED: (a) That Members review and comment on the Social Services portfolio’s cost pressures; and (b) That the Committee were assured that the cost pressures were an essential requirement for the 2025/26 budget and that there was no scope to remove/defer them to assist with dealing with the budget challenge.
Part of an issue followed across 10 meetings
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: (a) That members consider the Wales Audit report and the measures being taken regionally and locally to implement the recommendations made; and (b) That members note that the Government and Audit Committee was updated on progress in addressing the recommendations made.
The Service Manager, Older People presented a report (agenda item number 8) for members to consider the Wales Audit report and the measures taken regionally and locally to implement any recommendations made. The Chief Officer (Social Services) agreed to share action plans as requested by Councillor Copple and that a further update report would be provided in July 2025. RESOLVED: (a) That members consider the Wales Audit report and the measures being taken regionally and locally to implement the recommendations made; and (b) That members note that the Government and Audit Committee was updated on progress in addressing the recommendations made.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: (a) That members support the actions being taken to develop the Framework of Support as part of a range of transformational projects that would be required to develop sustainable social services; and (b) That members endorse associated actions needed to respond to demand pressures and support domiciliary and residential care budget pressures.
The Chief Officer (Social Services) presented a report (agenda number item 9) for Members to support changes to the financial assessment and charging for Domiciliary Care and Residential Care Services. In response to a question raised by Councillor Owen the Senior Manager – Safeguarding and Commissioning agreed to provide members with a link to Dewis Cymru where a comprehensive list of services, organisations and events that support individuals within their community could be found. RESOLVED: (a) That members support the actions being taken to develop the Framework of Support as part of a range of transformational projects that would be required to develop sustainable social services; and (b) That members endorse associated actions needed to respond to demand pressures and support domiciliary and residential care budget pressures.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That Members acknowledge and support the work being undertaken by the Financial Assessment and Charging Team in delivering services to the residents of Flintshire.
The Senior Manager – Safeguarding and Commissioning presented a report (agenda item number 10) to provide Members with information regarding the work undertaken within the Financial Assessment and Charging Team. RESOLVED: That Members acknowledge and support the work being undertaken by the Financial Assessment and Charging Team in delivering services to the residents of Flintshire.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: (a) That members accept the proposal contained within the report; and (b) That Members determine the process to achieve political support for the proposal.
The Senior Manager – Safeguarding and Commissioning introduced the report and the Service Manager Disability Services presented the report (agenda item number 11) for members to consider a proposal to cease an integrated CMHT partnership with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. RESOLVED: (a) That members accept the proposal contained within the report; and (b) That Members determine the process to achieve political support for the proposal.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That Members acknowledge and support the progress made in implementing the action plan.
The Chief Officer (Social Services), Senior Manager – Safeguarding and Commissioning and Senior Manager – Children presented the report (agenda item number 12) to update members on the progress of implementing the resulting action plan RESOLVED: That Members acknowledge and support the progress made in implementing the action plan.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That Social and Health Care Overview & Scrutiny Committee noted the outcome of the report and supported the resulting Action Plan.
The Senior Manager – Children presented the report (agenda item number 13) outlining the strengths and challenges from the newly established Safeguarding Hub. RESOLVED: That Social and Health Care Overview & Scrutiny Committee noted the outcome of the report and supported the resulting Action Plan.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: (a) That Members review progress in implementing the Mockingbird model in Flintshire and noted the associated achievements including securing placement stability for looked after children; and (b) That Members supported a detailed valuation of impact and benefits realisation when the programme had reached full implementation in 2025.
The Senior Manager – Children presented the report (agenda item number 14) to update members on the progress of the implementation of the Mockingbird model of care and agreed to provide members with an analysis of outcomes comparing Mockingbird placements. RESOLVED: (a) That Members review progress in implementing the Mockingbird model in Flintshire and noted the associated achievements including securing placement stability for looked after children; and (b) That Members supported a detailed valuation of impact and benefits realisation when the programme had reached full implementation in 2025.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That Members acknowledged and supported the work being undertaken to support the social care workforce through learning & development opportunities.
The Senior Manager – Safeguarding and Commissioning presented the report (agenda item number 15) to update Members on the work undertaken by the Social Services Workforce Development Team over the past 12 months, including details relating to recruitment activity in Social Services RESOLVED: That Members acknowledged and supported the work being undertaken to support the social care workforce through learning & development opportunities.
None.