Council

4.1 Council confirmed the minutes of the Council meeting held on 16 November 2021 as an accurate record.

5.1 Council noted the action sheet.

6.1 There were no petitions submitted.

7.1 There were no public questions.

8.1 The Leader wished members a Happy Christmas and thanked staff and members for their hard work throughout what had been another challenging year. He informed members that he had convened a meeting to consider how the council could offer further assistant to the mass vaccination team effort across Torfaen. He explained that the council was working with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and other partners such as Torfaen Leisure Trust, to ensure as many people as possible receive their booster vaccine and that any help from members would be greatly appreciated. He appealed to the public to have their vaccinations when called for an appointment. He also thanked members for inviting him to the unveiling of a bench in memory of Ray Williams, who was a former colleague that would be remembered by all. 8.2 The Chief Executive updated members on the pressures being faced by adult social care across the borough. He explained that adult social care currently supports around 570 people in their own homes through the provision of domiciliary care, which equates to 8500 hours per week, 85% of these are outsourced to the private care sector, 15% is delivered inhouse by council services. He commented that the threat of a crisis I in social care across the UK has been looming for a number of years, and Covid had largely impacted on the sector. Services were now reaching a point of crisis, putting all local authorities across the UK under significant pressure. He informed members that over the past six months the sector had reported increased difficulties, particularly around recruiting and retaining staff, periods of sickness and isolation had reduced the number of available carers, however, whilst the number of carers had reduced, the demand for care had not. This was not unique to Torfaen. He stated that the system had now reached a point of saturation, and as such, there was more demand for care than the authority was able to consistently to meet. He assured members that despite these challenges, the authority was working harder than ever to keep pace and to keep people safe. Mitigation action had been taken with regards to recruitment and the right care packages, and the authority was working closely with local providers and with regional partners who were under similar pressures. Welsh Government was acutely aware of the challenges across country. He explained that Councillor David Daniels, Executive Member Adult Services and Housing, was heavily engaged in supporting the directorate and in dialogue at a national level, communication with residents and their families who were in receipt of care was also being maintained and he thanked them for their understanding and support. He informed members that he had been nominated for a co-lead role for Health, Social care and Community Safety Portfolio for Solace, which involved working closely with Welsh Local Government Association and Welsh Government to find longer term solutions for the sector. He reassured residents and their families that the authority would continue to work hard to keep residents safe. He also informed Members than an urgent Members Seminar would be held in the new year to consider the pressures faced by social care and he thanked Members in advance for their support. He also thanked adult social care staff and their supporting staff for their ongoing hard work and bravery acknowledging that many of the staff, with all other frontline workers, would be spending Christmas Day working to support local residents whilst others would be in the safety of their own home. The Presiding Member shared her concerns on behalf of all members and hoped that all available help could be utilised for what was such a rewarding service. She thanked all staff for their hard work.

9.1 The MO&ACLO outlined the report seeking approval to appoint a Community Councillor representative to the Ethics and Standards Committee until May 2022. 9.2 Council unanimously agreed to appoint Councillor Stephen Brooks as a community council representative on the Ethics and Standards Committee until May 2022. The Chief Executive left the meeting as he had an interest in relation to Agenda Item 10, Local Government Election Fees and Charges

10.1 The Assistant Chief Executive Resources outlined the report seeking approval of the fees payable to the Returning Officer and associated staff undertaking the management, administration, clerical, polling station, and count duties (including training fees) associated with the conduct of the Local Government Elections due to be held on Thursday 5 May 2022 and for any future elections scheduled for the following 5 years. 10.2 Council unanimously: - Approved the fees payable to the Returning Officer and associated staff for the Local Government Elections to be held on 5 May 2022 in accordance with the figures set out in Appendix 1 and are in place for the next 5 years. - Agreed the Council’s insurance covers the Returning Officer and staff for any area of the election work and will indemnify the Returning Officer for any policy excess. The Chief Executive returned to the meeting.

11.1 There were no motions on notice.

12.1 Members questions with replies are set out in Appendix A to these minutes.

13.1 Council unanimously agreed to note the Cabinet Decisions.

14.1 The next meeting was scheduled for Tuesday 25 January 2022 at 10.00am.