Performance Scrutiny Committee - People

The Committee considered mid-year progress reports for 2025-26 from Children's Services, Adult Services, and Prevention and Inclusion. It asked for more information on budget monitoring, overspends and how adapted social housing is allocated, and it congratulated Children's Services on an award. The minutes record no decision on the work programme and outcomes update.

1. Social Services mid-year reports 2025-26

   Decided

   The minute records these comments and recommendations. The Committee stressed the need for consistent budget monitoring in Children's Services and asked the Cabinet Member for Social Services for reassurance about concerns for future budgets. It asked for more information on how social housing with existing adaptations is allocated, to ensure it matches service users' needs. It noted its concern about overspends and the risk they carry. It congratulated the children's service on an award from the National Youth Advocacy Service. It was content with the Prevention and Inclusion report.

   Why

   These are mid-year progress reports on each service's 2025-26 plan, which sets out how the service contributes to the Council's Corporate Plan 2022-27. Children's Services reported no red, one amber and seven green measures, and said the move to eliminate profit from care is adding financial pressure. Adult Services reported budget pressures from rising demand and an overspend against some planned budgets. Prevention and Inclusion reported four green measures.

   Based on the minutes, Item 4 - CR - People Mid-Year Reviews - SS, Item 4.1 - Children Services Service Plan 25-26, Item 4.2 - Adult Services Mid-Year Report 25-26, Item 4.3 - Prevention & Inclusion Mid-Year Report 25-26

2. Forward work programme and outcomes monitoring

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   The minute records that the Scrutiny Adviser agreed to contact the Committee about its meeting time preferences and report back at the next meeting. The Scrutiny Adviser said the outcomes report covers the first half of the term, with no outstanding actions and all recommendations accepted. The next meeting, on Tuesday 9 December, will be the Education Mid-Year Review. The outcomes report shows the Committee made 17 recommendations and requested six actions from June to December 2025.

   Based on the minutes, Item 5 - Scrutiny Advisor Report v1, Item 5.1 - FWP, Item 5.2 - Outcomes Summary

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1. 2

   Declarations of Interest

   Minute

   Councillor B Davies declared an interest as her daughter is a social worker.

2. 3

   Minutes of Previous Meeting

   Minute

   The minutes of the previous meeting held 30th September 2025 were agreed as a true and accurate record.

   Papers: Item 3 - Minutes
3. 4

   Service Area Mid Year Reports 2025-26 - Social Services

   Minute

   Children Services Service Plan 25-26 The Head of Children Services gave an overview of the report to the Committee. The Committee members asked questions and explored the content of the report. Comments and Recommendations: • The Committee highlighted the importance of consistent budget monitoring and asked for reassurance from the Cabinet Member for Social Services regarding their concerns for future budgets. • The Committee congratulated the service for the award from the National Youth Advocacy Service. Adult Services Mid-Year Report 25-26 The Head of Adult Services gave an overview of the report to the Committee. The Committee members asked questions and explored the content of the report. Comments and Recommendations: • The Committee requested further information on how social housing stock with existing adaptations are allocated to ensure alignment with service user needs. • The Committee noted their concern with overspends and the associated risk. Prevention & Inclusion Mid-Year Report 25-26 The Head of Prevention & Inclusion gave an overview of the report to the Committee. The Committee members asked questions and explored the content of the report. Comments and Recommendations: The Committee were content with the report.

   Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings

   Papers: Item 4 - CR - People Mid-Year Reviews - SS, Item 4.1 - Children Services Service Plan 25-26, Item 4.2 - Adult Services Mid-Year Report 25-26, Item 4.3 - Prevention & Inclusion Mid-Year Report 25-26
4. 5

   Scrutiny Adviser Reports

   Minute

   a. Forward Work Programme Update The Scrutiny Adviser agreed to contact the Committee regarding meeting time preferences and would provide feedback at the next meeting. b. Outcomes Monitoring Report The Scrutiny Adviser informed the Committee that the report is a summary of actions and outcomes for the first half of the term. They added that there are currently no outstanding actions and all recommendations have been accepted. They also informed the Committee that the date of the next meeting would be Tuesday 9th December for the Education Mid-Year Review

   Papers: Item 5 - Scrutiny Advisor Report v1, Item 5.1 - FWP, Item 5.2 - Outcomes Summary
5. 6

   Meeting recording

   Minute

   Please click here to watch the recording.

   Part of an issue followed across 17 meetings

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.

• B Davies: Interest

  Her daughter is a social worker. The minute does not say which item this relates to or what kind of interest it is.

• William Routley, ChairConservativePresent
• Alex Pimm, Committee MemberLabourSent apologies
• Bev Davies, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Carmel Townsend, Committee MemberLiberal DemocratPresent
• Claire Baker-Westhead, Committee MemberLabourSent apologies
• Debbie Harvey, Committee MemberLabourSent apologies
• Debbie Jenkins, Committee MemberLabourSent apologies
• Janet Cleverly, Committee MemberNewport Independent PartyPresent
• Stephen Marshall, Committee MemberLabourSent apologies
• Trevor Watkins, Committee MemberLabourPresent

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