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Health visitors from Cwm Taf Morgannwg presented their case to an extraordinary Council meeting about their dispute over a job re-evaluation, which has led to a large fall in universal child contacts. The Council also invited the Health Board's Chair and Chief Executive to attend a future full Council meeting.
In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, the following declarations of interest were made: Councillor A Morgan MBE declared the following: “I have a role with another Health Board” “Whilst I was Council Leader I did write to both the UHB and corresponded with the Trade Union and the Health Visitors, this is a personal interest so I will remain in the meeting but I will not participate in the debate” (Councillor A Morgan later left the meeting as the debate included a wider discussion about Health Board intervention and special measures). Councillor S Evans – “My daughter works for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board” Councillor M Ashford – “ My wife works for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board” Councillor C Middle – “My sister works for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board” Councillor S Morgans – “My daughter works for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board” Councillor J Barton – “My son works for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board” Councillor K Johnson – “My wife is an employee of Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board” Councillor J James – “ My son is waiting to see a Health Visitor” Councillor G Stacey – “My grandson and granddaughter work for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board” Councillor G Hughes – “I have met with a number of the health visitors as part of my paid employment outside of being a councillor to discuss the ongoing dispute”.
The Presiding Officer welcomed Members and Officers to the Extra Ordinary hybrid Council meeting in Llys Cadwyn, Pontypridd. She extended a particular welcome to Kerry Parry, Health Visitor, Jo Penny, Health Visitor, Karen Harvey, Health Visitor, Cerys Lear-Lewis, Health Visitor and Jodie Evans, Unite representative.
The Service Director, Democratic Services, Welsh Language and Communications provided an outline of the meeting which would be in keeping with the format of previous Extra Ordinary Council meetings when a presentation is delivered by an external organisation. The Service Director advised that following a 10 minute presentation from the Health Visitors, the Group Leaders would be afforded the opportunity to comment followed by contributions from other Members across the Chamber. The Service Director advised that the Council Leader had requested that two letters are circulated to all Group Leaders, ahead of the meeting, to provide advance notice of the resolution that the Leader proposed to move at the commencement of the debate. The Service Director added that the content of the letters would bring purpose and direction to the meeting in terms of what could be agreed, subject to Members’ consideration of the information. In advance of the presentation by the Health Visitors from Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, Ms Kerry Parry provided an overview of her role as a Health Visitor since she qualified in 2006. She outlined the role which provides a universal service for children in the Cwm Taf area, called the Healthy Child Wales Programme, a provision which every child in Wales is entitled to. The Programme includes Health Visitors looking at and making referrals around hearing tests, developmental issues, children's safeguarding and perinatal mental health. Ms Parry advised that the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Visitors have been on strike for a total of 31 weeks, at the end of February one hundred health visitors walked out, withdrawing full labour. She added that for the last five years the Health Visitors have been asking for a review of their job descriptions which through the Agenda for Change process, they were entitled to do. The job description, after appeal, was matched by NHS employers as a Band 7, unfortunately the Health Board will not uphold that decision. Ms Parry raised concerns that with 100 health visitors in the whole of Cwm Taf on strike, the service is not able to provide the universal contacts. She provided an example that in March, April and May of last year, there were 22,000 appointments due, this year 900 were carried out. Ms Parry spoke of the discrepancy of opportunities missed for children who are not receiving their initial universal contact and children that have not yet been seen and have not yet been identified. Ms Parry spoke of the unfair treatment the Health visitors have received from the Health Board and of the difficult time they have had since February. They were seeking support for fair pay and the need for agreed processes to be followed for all staff across the Health Board. Ultimately, Ms Parry advised that having been evaluated at a Band 7 with evidence of that in the form of job matching reports, the Health Board have chosen not to uphold it. She added that it was about being treated fairly for such an important profession working in areas of high deprivation, a profession which makes a difference to children's health and well -being. Ms Parry explained that it was also important to be able to attract registered nurses into the profession of Health Visiting which would be difficult without the proper pay. There followed a presentation delivered by Ms Jodie Evans, Unite the Nation by means of Power Point slides, setting out the events that led to the current dispute, culminating in their ask of Council. The Presiding Officer thanked the speakers for their presentation and opened up the debate to the Group Leaders. The Leader of the Council, Councillor A Crimmings paid tribute to the phenomenal work of health visitors and described how valued the service is, especially from the point of view of corporate parents. The Leader recognised the impact that this ongoing dispute on families across Cwm Taf. The Leader commented on the decline in the number of contacts recorded in March, April and May 2026, as being 909 against 23,592 contacts identified during that period compared to the previous year when 6,140 Healthy Child Wales contacts were made. The Leader added that she had spoken to a small number of Health Visitors at the WLGA conference in Swansea last week and they made it clear that they are ready to return to work once they feel they have been treated with the respect they deserve and when a fair outcome has been achieved. The Leader referred to the statement the Cabinet Member for Education & Young People delivered at the Council meeting in March urging a swift resolution to the issue and she expressed concern that the situation remains the same. The Leader called for urgent intervention to resolve the dispute and added that there is a clear strength of feeling that the proper skills and qualifications should be recognised appropriately. In conclusion, the Leader confirmed that as partners of the Health Board, she was more than happy to assist in any way with colleagues in Bridgend and Merthyr Council sharing the same view. The Leader confirmed that in terms of the ask that has recently been made by the Health Visitors, she was more than happy to support these. The Leader advised that she had previously shared a draught version of the letters with the Political Groups, addressing the issue with both the Health Board and Welsh Government, and it was for the Political Groups to determine whether they wished for their respective Leaders to add their names to the letters. The Opposition Leader, Councillor K Morgan agreed with the Leader regarding the valuable role that Health Visitors play in ensuring that every child has the best start in life. In addition to discussing the impact of that prolonged strike action on the best start in life for the babies, children and families in RCT and any impact on service provision, Councillor Morgan wished to recognise the impact of this action on local authority and third sector staff who must undoubtedly be struggling to maintain service provision and manage risk, and also the impact on the health industries themselves. Councillor Morgan referred to the job re-evaluation process as extremely rigorous and to successfully demonstrate that the role should be awarded a higher band is not an easy task. She raised concerns that Health Visitors felt that they had no other choice than to strike, concerns on the duration of the strike and by the lack of urgency shown by the Health Board. Councillor K Morgan spoke of the need to work together constructively as the Council has done previously when issues with the Health Board have affected constituents. Councillor Morgan sought to clarify what powers the Council holds, it can write to Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB to outline the impact of the strike using relevant data and express support for the Health Visitors, call on them to honour the job evaluation process and enable a speedy resolution, the Council can also write to the Health Minister with the same concerns but he cannot instruct the Health Board to meet the health lister's demands, neither can this Council instruct the Health Board to honour the re banding. On behalf of the Plaid Cymru Group, Councillor Morgan suggested that it would be useful to convene an extraordinary full Council meeting with the Health Board to discuss the impact of the strike action on service provision and residents, backed up by the evidence that the Council Leader had outlined. In conclusion, the Opposition Leader asked three questions: · What contact has there been from Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board to the Council regarding the impact of the strike action? · What contact has there previously been from our Council to the Health Board regarding the impact of the strike action. · And finally to the Leader and Chief Executive, we are discussing the impact of the strike action on our service provision and residents. Safeguarding concerns, child protection, child development, serious risks. In your opinion, has this Council reached a point where we should be calling for special measures to be taken against the Health Board due to this dispute and the significant risks it poses to our families and communities? The Chief Executive responded to the query regarding the contact that local authorities have had with the Health Board, whilst confining his comments to matters regarding safeguarding and child protection and the Council’s service interactions with the Health Board. The Chief Executive commented that the ongoing industrial dispute with the Health Visitors is a matter of significant concern to the Council with regards to the removal of the ability to identify at an early stage, the health and developmental needs of children and the long -term potential consequences of that. The Chief Executive added that of course not having sight of the child and the family raises concerns around safeguarding risks that need to be mitigated as a consequence. The Chief Executive was able to confirm that these matters have been discussed in partnership with the Health Board and across local authorities through the Regional Safeguarding Board and that the Health Board have communicated with the Council around the measures that have been implemented in respect of arrangements around the establishment of Health Visitor hubs. The Chief Executive also advised that Council services such as Children's Services, Community Services and the Flying Start initiative have had interactions with the Health Board. However, he also recognised the risks and significance of this ongoing dispute. On behalf of the Independent Group, the Group Leader, Councillor W Jones thanked the Health Visitors for attending Council and commented that he and his Group whole heartedly supported them and were also in support of the Leader’s draft letters. Councillor K Johnson, Group Leader of the Conservative Group also fully supported the letters which he commented were very well constructed. He added that the situation was of huge concern particularly for younger families who rely on support from Health Visitors. The Cabinet Member for Resources, Customer & Energy, Councillor R Davis relayed her dismay at the continuing strike action and commented on how it felt as though health visiting is being treated as something non-essential. Councillor Davis referred to the hands-off approach by the current Government, she wondered if the hands-off approach would be in place if it were Doctors on strike and considered much had to do with the fact that it is predominantly a female workforce. Councillor Davis commented on the risks, as pointed out by the Chief Executive, that are both short -term and could be very, very serious, but also long -term. The Deputy Leader, Councillor M Webber BEM thanked the Health Visitors for their care, concern, dedication and commitment to the children, babies, and families in Cwm Taf Morgannwg. Councillor Webber referred to a fellow Elected Member’s six -month -old baby, who has not yet been seen by anyone. Councillor Webber disagreed with the words ‘minimal impact’ commenting that we do not know what the impact of the dispute is but added that we are aware of the safeguarding risks. Councillor Webber was not ashamed to say that she stood shoulder to shoulder with the Health Visitors and would continue to do that, she urged everyone in the Chamber to applaud and support the Health Visitors until the fair wage is given because if the job evaluation is not supported it is not worth the paper it is written on. Councillor Webber commented that the strike action needs to end, there needs to be continued communication as children and families need the service that Health Visitors previously provided reinstated. Councillor D Grehan thanked all those who had spoken in support of the important work of the Health Visitors. He commented that he wanted to see the Chair of the Health Board invited to Council so Members can question him, he believed the Chairperson of the Health Board is responsible for holding up progress and that it is the Health Board preventing the pay rise being implemented. Councillor Grehan reiterated the messages from other Elected Members and added that he was very concerned about the impact on babies and young families including the safeguarding risks. Councillor Grehan felt that Council should hold a special meeting with the Health Board to ‘pin them down’. Councillor S Emanuel commented that this is a matter of principle having concluded the job evaluation process, with both sides in agreement only for one side to not accept the outcome. He added there is clearly a need for the Health Board to sit down with the Health Visitors and the Union to resolve this issue. He spoke of his concerns and the impact on babies and young families including the safeguarding risks. Councillor Emanuel added that the Health Board needs to provide assurance that they are doing all they can to resolve this dispute and that while the dispute is ongoing, they are doing all they can to mitigate the risks. Councillor Emanuel also commented that, whilst he did not wish to make this political, he felt that the current Plaid First Minister, Plaid Health Minister and Plaid Government are seemingly saying this has nothing to do with them despite pre-election messages to the contrary. Councillor R Clarke thanked the Health Visitors for their briefing last week, adding that he was now more informed. Councillor Clarke agreed with Councillor Emanuel that it is a point of principle as he failed to understand the Health Board’s agreement to evaluate a job and then back away, he added that the Health Board need to make clear why the outcome has not been implemented and he felt that the letter from RCT Council should ask why the Health Board is not honouring the deal and what it intends to do to bring an end to this long -running dispute. He concluded that the dispute has gone on for far too long and people are suffering. Councillor D Evans stated his full support for the Health Visitors in their campaign for pay that properly reflects their job evaluations, their professional qualifications, significant responsibilities they carry, and the vital role they play in supporting children, parents, and families across our communities. He commented that Health Visitors are highly skilled professionals who are often the first line of support for families and the first to identify issues that may require intervention. Councillor Evans recounted a personal experience with the service in 2024 which he felt may indicate that pressures on the service may have existed before the current dispute. Councillor Evans raised concern whether opportunities for early intervention are being missed and when milestone assessments are missed, opportunities to identify developmental, behavioural, or safeguarding concerns at the early stage may also be missed. He was also concern that the cost of intervention is often borne by education and local government rather than the NHS and what might have been resolved through relatively simple early intervention can develop into need for more intensive support, placing greater pressure on schools, additional learning need services, children's services, and other already stretched local authority resources. Councillor D Evans urged the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board to resolve this dispute as quickly and as fairly as possible and to put in place a clear and properly resourced recovery plan to identify and support those children who may have missed developmental reviews or early intervention opportunities and to ensure that no child is disadvantaged as a result of the disruption to these vital services. Councillor J James agreed with Councillor Emanuel’s statement not wishing to make a political speech but adding that he recalls being in the Senedd Chamber and listening time and time again to the local Plaid Cymru Members criticising the Welsh Government for a lack of action over this. He raised concern over the rhetoric that has been used in the past. Councillor James sought clarification as to how Council go about ensuring that children are not being missed in terms of their development stage. Cllr D Grehan asked whether Council believes the Health Board deserves to be put into special measures if that is the only way that the Government can intervene in this dispute and he raised concern about the lack of agreement with regards to getting the Health Board support in view of the Health Board controlling the situation. Councillor J Brenshaw also thanked the Health Visitors for their presentation which she found very moving, as, in her life experience, they provided an absolutely essential service and that service has been sorely missed. Councillor Brencher commented that the role of the Health Visitor is a critical role and in an area of multiple deprivation it is absolutely essential and she asked whether it was possible to monitor or analyse the full impact on various services such as social services and education. Councillor Brencher relayed her own personal experience with the service and concluded that this is not the responsibility of the Health Visitors, it is the responsibility of the Health Board and also highlighted whether this could be a gender issue because she felt that other roles would certainly not be treated in quite the same manner. Councillor M Norris thanked the Health Visitors for everything they do, described how they are valued by the community and by this Council. He commented that the current situation is the responsibility of Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board, but added that Welsh Government do have the powers to intervene under section 12 of the NHS Act. Councillor Norris recounted the two instances when the then Health Minister, Vaughan Gethin intervened in the Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board to sort out shift issues with nurses and the then Health Minister, Eluned Morgan also intervened directly and sacked the whole board of non -executive members of Betsi Cadwaladr. Councillor Norris felt that this current Government seemed to be sitting on their hands and he also considered it worthwhile having the Chief Executive and the Chair of the Health Board attend a Council meeting. Councillor C Middle commented on the need to have consistency across all the Health Boards in terms of pay banding. He paid thanks to the Health Visitors for their work and also raised concerns that there may be an additional burden on other Council services such as social services in due course, which may result in a car crash in due course, he feared the situation was getting very serious. Councillor R Williams offered his support to the Health Visitors until the very end of the dispute. He was astonished that the dispute had been going on for so long although he pleased to note the cross-party support from across the Chamber but questioned whether the Health Board would actually attend Council following an invitation to them as Council was unable to ‘force’ their attendance. He felt that this matter needed Government intervention, the same intervention that the now First Minister was asking of the Labour Government when it was unable to do so. The Leader of the Opposition, Councillor K Morgan raised a query around whether the earlier reference to section 12 and Betsi Cadwaladr is accurate. Councillor Morgan commented that the then First Minister took those actions because the Health Board was already in special measures. Councillor Morgan further questioned if this Council believes that the risk is so great from some of the examples provided, and whether it has reached the point where Council could call on the Welsh government to take special measures against the Health Board? If that is not the case then Council needs to ensure the Health Board do all they can to bring about a speedy resolution. (Note: At this point in the proceedings, Councillor A Morgan OBE declared that as the discussions had extended to issues about special measures relating to the Health Board, he would leave for the remainder of the meeting). The Leader of the Council wished to clarify that Health Visitors across other Health Boards in Wales are on a Band six, however, correspondence suggests that they will honour the process, whatever the result. The Leader clarified that it could mean Health Visitors in other Health Boards would also be awarded a Band seven despite not having been involved in strike action. The Service Director, Democratic Services, Welsh Language and Communications clarified the procedural aspect of the proposal of a motion to invite Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board to attend a future Council meeting subject to a majority vote in favour of the action. The Leader of the Council sought the Group Leaders’ agreement to add their names to the letters in support and she gave assurance that she would work with the Leaders of Bridgend and Merthyr Tydfil Councils to progress a resolution to this matter. In response to a further query about asking the Welsh Government to put the Health Board into special measures, the Leader confirmed she was content at this stage to invite the Health Board to a future meeting of Full Council, at the earliest opportunity, to speak and listen in the hope of getting all parties back around the table. The Service Director, Democratic Services, Welsh Language and Communications advised that, for the record and as soon as practically possible after conclusion of the discussion, the letters would be re circulated to reflect the cross party support of the recommendations contained within the letters, as evidenced by all Group Leaders during today’s meeting. It was RESOLVEDthat this Council writes to the Cabinet Minister for Health & Care and the Chief Executive of the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board setting out the following recommendations as contained within the letters: 1.Recognises the contribution made by Health Visitors across the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board area and supports efforts to secure a fair and sustainable resolution to the ongoing dispute. 2.Notes with concern the reported gap between Healthy Child Wales Programme contacts identified as due and those recorded as completed by Band 6 Health Visitors. 3.Calls upon Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board to provide assurance to Bridgend County Borough Council, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council and Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council regarding how Health Visiting functions are currently being discharged across the three local authority areas. 4.Requests that the Health Board sets out how children and families who may not have received scheduled Health Visiting contacts are being identified, assessed and followed up, and how any resulting unmet need is being addressed. 5.Calls upon the Chief Executive of Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board to continue efforts to resolve the dispute and to ensure that sufficient workforce capacity is available to support the effective delivery of Health Visiting services. 6.Calls upon the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care to work with the Health Board and other relevant partners in support of a timely resolution to the dispute and the long-term sustainability of Health Visiting services. 7.Encourages continued engagement between Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board and the three local authorities to understand and address any impact on safeguarding, early intervention, social care demand and health inequalities. 8.Requests that the Leader of the Council writes to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care and the Chief Executive of Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board setting out the Council's concerns and seeking a response on the actions being taken to support and sustain Health Visiting provision. 9.Would like to formally invite the Chair and Chief Executive of Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board to attend a future meeting of Full Council at the earliest opportunity, to address the matters raised and respond directly to questions from elected members. 10.To place on record that, at the Extraordinary Meeting of Full Council this evening, members from across all political groups expressed their support for the contents of this letter and requested that their names be added as signatories, demonstrating the united, cross-party position of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council on the matters raised.
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.
A Morgan MBE: Personal interest
He has a role with another Health Board. As Council Leader he wrote to the Health Board and corresponded with the trade union and health visitors. He stayed in the meeting but did not take part in the debate, and he left when it turned to special measures for the Health Board.
S Evans: Personal interest
Her daughter works for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.
M Ashford: Personal interest
His wife works for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.
C Middle: Personal interest
His sister works for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.
S Morgans: Personal interest
Her daughter works for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.
J Barton: Personal interest
Her son works for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.
K Johnson: Personal interest
His wife is an employee of Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.
J James: Personal interest
His son is waiting to see a health visitor.
G Stacey: Personal interest
His grandson and granddaughter work for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.
G Hughes: Interest
He has met a number of health visitors as part of his paid work outside being a councillor, to discuss the ongoing dispute.
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