Loading
At its meeting on 14 January 2026 the committee agreed its work programme, with changes including dropping the library review from the agenda and adding a Fire Service item. It also considered a report on social care services at HMP Berwyn prison, where no prison representative attended, and it asked for written answers to its questions before the next meeting in mid-February.
Apologies were received from Councillor Rondo Roberts.
AGREED:- That the minutes of the meeting held on 17 December 2025 be signed as a correct record.
Members were reminded of their responsibility, under Paragraph 11 of the Members’ Code of Conduct, to declare any interests in relation to any of the business to be transacted at this meeting. The following declarations were made: Agenda Item 5 – HMP Berwyn Councillor Krista Childs declared a personal and non‑prejudicial interest in Item 5, noting that she had worked with the officer presenting the report approximately twenty years ago. As the matter under consideration pre‑dated her time as a councillor, the interest was assessed as personal and non‑prejudicial. Councillor Krista Childs remained in the meeting and participated fully in the discussion and voting on this item.
Decision as recorded
AGREED: - That subject to the above changes, the Work Programme at Appendix 1 be agreed.
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.
Krista Childs: Personal interest on HMP Berwyn
She had worked with the officer presenting the report about twenty years ago. As the matter pre-dated her time as a councillor, it was assessed as personal and non-prejudicial. She stayed in the meeting and took part in the discussion and vote.
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.
The Chief Officer for Governance and Customer submitted a report (COGC/05/26) that asked members to consider the draft work programme of the Safeguarding, Communities and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee attached at Appendix 1. The Scrutiny Facilitator presented the report and outlined the latest changes, including: · The removal of the library review item, which was now to be circulated for information, with a follow‑up review expected in around twelve months. · Topic requests approved at the last meeting had been added to the programme. · Upcoming items included updates on Children’s and Adults’ Services in April, the Fire Service in June, and the Employment Strategy and day services at the next meeting. · The Berwyn Prison item had been moved to the current meeting after earlier IT difficulties. · Work was progressing on a topic selection form focused on health and social care outcomes, intended to inform the Committee’s planned session with health services in July. · The Committee agreed to pause the Task and Finish Group on Child Poverty until after the Senedd elections, when potential funding for officer support could be explored. AGREED: - That subject to the above changes, the Work Programme at Appendix 1 be agreed.
Decision as recorded
AGREED:- (i) That the committee thanked officers for their report but expressed strong disappointment at the non‑attendance of HMP Berwyn representatives, noting that attendance had been expected. (ii) That the committee will forward a full list of questions to the prison and request written responses ahead of the next meeting in mid‑February. (iii) That the next scrutiny session with HMP Berwyn will take place in one year, with attendance from a senior prison representative required. (iv) That future reports include clear targets and performance measures, and that the item may be brought forward sooner depending on the responses received.
The Chief Officer for Social Care produced report COSC/17/25, which informed members about the delivery of social care services into HMP Berwyn. The Lead Member for Adults’ Social Care, Health and Wellbeing presented an update covering key risks, performance and governance. It was noted that: a) The council’s statutory duties under the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 were delivered through the Offender Assessment and Liaison Team (OALT), established in 2021. b) Referrals and assessments followed the secure estate care and support pathway, with performance monitored through audits and statutory reporting. c) The OALT carried out in‑prison assessments, care planning and contributions to parole boards, working with multi‑agency partners to support release and resettlement. The Senior Head of Children’s Social Care outlined the council’s responsibilities for HMP Berwyn and the role of the OALT, noting that the team had operated effectively since 2021. Additional operational information was provided to the Head of Adult Safeguarding and Mental Health. The Chair raised concern that the absence of prison representatives limited effective scrutiny. All questions for the prison would be recorded, forwarded for a formal response, and included in the next meeting’s minutes. The Committee agreed to proceed with the report and ensure all members’ questions were sent to the prison ahead of the next meeting. The Head of Service for Adult Safeguarding and Mental Health explained that individuals entering the prison or approved premises were treated as ordinary residents, placing a duty on the authority to provide care and support where required. Referrals were received through the Single Point of Access and triaged by the team, with most relating to advice, information and assistance rather than long‑term care. Three active care packages were in place, delivered by the in‑house team and providing support such as bathing, personal care and mobility assistance within the cell. The committee deliberated on the following: · Uni Link allowed residents to refer directly into adult social care, generating a high volume of referrals. · The small team supporting HMP Berwyn worked efficiently and managed its workload well, despite one member being on maternity leave. · Officers could not confirm the prison’s occupancy figures as this was outside social care’s remit. · Monthly audits showed that referral timescales and performance standards were consistently met. · The recent increase in older residents had not created the pressures originally anticipated. · Delays to the peer mentoring programme were due to capacity issues within both the external provider and the local authority’s workforce team. · Officers outlined strong multi‑agency arrangements that ensured continuity of care on release. · Members recognised the team’s efficiency and effective partnership working. · Concerns were raised about the recurring overspend and the wider issue of statutory duties continuing after Welsh Government funding ended. Officers explained that the service was now funded from core budgets, supported by partnership work, and that the over spend was small and managed. · Members highlighted potential legal risks if statutory duties were not met and questioned which body should be funding the service, noting the wider impact of the prison on local health and emergency services. · Further concerns were raised about ambulance delays, A&E pressures and frequent fire service call outs linked to vape alarms. These questions were deferred for a formal response from the prison. · Questions were raised about whether forming the Offender Assessment and Liaison Team had created gaps elsewhere. Officers confirmed that adult social care was fully staffed and meeting all statutory duties. · Officers outlined the escalation process for identifying future resource needs, including monitoring demand and developing a business case if required. · Collaboration with other authorities on portable care packages was described as strong, with no difficulties reported. · The prison’s trial of on‑site paramedics had reduced ambulance call outs, though formal reporting on this remained the prison’s responsibility. · A question about the impact of prison releases on housing policy was referred to the housing department. · Child safeguarding concerns linked to family visits were discussed. Officers explained that Barnardo’s led most family‑related work and that few safeguarding referrals were received by adult or children’s services. · Children’s services worked closely with the prison and probation to ensure safe contact arrangements for offenders approaching release. · Concerns were raised about the vulnerability of small specialist teams if key staff left. Officers confirmed that desktop guides, generic job descriptions and workforce planning supported continuity, and that processes were now well documented. · A further update on the resilience and succession‑planning measures would be provided in the forthcoming Children and Adults Update Report. · Questions were raised about support for children with a parent in custody and about mental health pathways for prisoners. Officers outlined how Section 48 transfers worked, how gate assessments were carried out on the day of release, and how hospital admission was arranged when necessary. · Wrexham Council did not hold data on prisoners’ children, as this was retained by the prison. Support was available through Barnardo’s, the prison and wider services, with assessments offered under the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act where needed. · Concerns were noted that stigma might prevent some children from seeking help, and members were reminded that any child in need should be referred to children’s services with consent. · The importance of child‑friendly visiting arrangements was highlighted, and members expressed disappointment that no prison representative was present to respond to these issues. AGREED:- (i) That the committee thanked officers for their report but expressed strong disappointment at the non‑attendance of HMP Berwyn representatives, noting that attendance had been expected. (ii) That the committee will forward a full list of questions to the prison and request written responses ahead of the next meeting in mid‑February. (iii) That the next scrutiny session with HMP Berwyn will take place in one year, with attendance from a senior prison representative required. (iv) That future reports include clear targets and performance measures, and that the item may be brought forward sooner depending on the responses received.