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The Social & Health Care Overview & Scrutiny Committee, a group of councillors that checks the council's work, met on 16 July 2026. Members supported the final Director of Social Services' Annual Report, welcomed progress on adult services and noted progress on children's services. They also considered a safeguarding report and the council's 2025/26 performance report, and asked for several items to be added to the committee's future work programme.
Cllr Christine Jones declared in interest in items 6,7,8 and 9 as they had previously been considered at Cabinet.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 4 June be approved as a correct record.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 4 June be approved as a correct record.
None.
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 noted the progress made in completing the outstanding actions.
The Overview and Scrutiny Facilitator presented the current Forward Work Programme (agenda item 5) to consider the current Forward Work Programme and Action Tracking progress. Councillor Dave Mackie requested that the following be considered as items for the Forward Work Programme:- - North Wales Regional Partnership Board - Flintshire Social Care Academy - Workforce Development Team - Equality and Anti-Racism Plan - Financial pressures on the Social Services portfolio - to provide further information and enable members of the Committee to better understand financial pressures - EPEC Autism and parenting models and early help services report) Joint report to Education & Social Care Overview & Scrutiny committees - Improving mental health services Councillor Fran Lister requested the following: - Infant feeding strategy – the Council’s involvement. 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 noted the progress made in completing the outstanding actions.
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.
Christine Jones: Interest on Safeguarding Adults and Children Annual Report
Declared an interest because this item had previously been considered at Cabinet.
Christine Jones: Interest on Care Inspectorate Wales Improvement Check of Adults Services
Declared an interest because this item had previously been considered at Cabinet.
Christine Jones: Interest on Update on CIW Action Plan Progress (Children’s Services)
Declared an interest because this item had previously been considered at Cabinet.
Christine Jones: Interest on Council Plan End of Year Performance Report 2025/26
Declared an interest because this item had previously been considered at Cabinet.
The council hasn't recorded attendance for this meeting.
Lists the council's current councillors only. Co-opted members, officers and former councillors aren't shown.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Committee support the final draft of the Social Services Director’s Annual Report.
In the absence of the Chief Officer (Social Services), the Senior Manager Integrated Services – Lead Adults and the Senior Manager Children Services introduced the report (agenda item 6) to inform Members of the key developments of the past year and priorities for the next year for them to review. Councillor Claydon referred to the wide-ranging audience that the document was aimed at and asked for assurance that it was user-friendly for everyone. She also referred to the use of Standard 7 and Standard 8 Care Cube – which did not appear to be included in the glossary. RESOLVED: That the Committee support the final draft of the Social Services Director’s Annual Report.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That having reviewed the safeguarding capacity and structure, the Committee supports the strengthening of quality assurance and practice development arrangements.
The Safeguarding Unit Service Manager introduced the report (agenda item 7) to provide Members with information in relation to the Joint Adults and Children’s Safeguarding provision within the county Boundaries. The Safeguarding Unit Service Manager would look into how Members can access the Safeguarding App via their iPads. RESOLVED: That having reviewed the safeguarding capacity and structure, the Committee supports the strengthening of quality assurance and practice development arrangements.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: (a) That the Committee welcomes the steps taken by the local authority to address areas for improvement identified in the 2023 inspection which demonstrates progress in all areas; and (b) That the Committee supports the development of a comprehensive action plan to secure further improvement to meet statutory duties and achieve consistent, sustainable and assured practice across adult services and agree to receive an annual update on progress.
The Senior Manager Integrated Services – Lead Adults introduced the report (agenda item 8) to update Members on the outcome of the Improvement Check of Adult Services in March 2026 and the steps being taken to progress actions identified where further improvement is required. The Senior Manager Integrated Services – Lead Adults advised that a report would be presented to the September or October meeting with a comprehensive action plan and timescale. RESOLVED: (a) That the Committee welcomes the steps taken by the local authority to address areas for improvement identified in the 2023 inspection which demonstrates progress in all areas; and (b) That the Committee supports the development of a comprehensive action plan to secure further improvement to meet statutory duties and achieve consistent, sustainable and assured practice across adult services and agree to receive an annual update on progress.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: (a) That the progress and the traction achieved in securing service improvements through the CIW action plan be noted; and (b) That the Committee recognises the ongoing challenges associated with recruiting permanent childcare social workers and supports the continued targeted action to safely and systematically reduce reliance on agency staff.
The Senior Manager (Children Services) introduced the report (agenda item 9) to provide Members with an update on the progress of the revised and updated action plan following the improvement check visit in July 2025. The Senior Manager (Children Services) would ensure that spreadsheets within reports would be able to be viewed on Members’ iPads going forward. RESOLVED: (a) That the progress and the traction achieved in securing service improvements through the CIW action plan be noted; and (b) That the Committee recognises the ongoing challenges associated with recruiting permanent childcare social workers and supports the continued targeted action to safely and systematically reduce reliance on agency staff.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That Members reviewed and provided comments and observations on the Council Plan End of Year Performance Report.
The Chair asked Members for any questions or comments on the report (agenda item 10) given that all items that were relevant to this portfolio were rated green. RESOLVED: That Members reviewed and provided comments and observations on the Council Plan End of Year Performance Report.
None.