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The committee heard how the council's Offender Assessment and Liaison Team (OALT) provides social care inside HMP Berwyn. It also received an update on urgent and emergency care pressures at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, noted the draft work programme and agreed the membership of the Child Poverty Task and Finish Group. The minutes record no decisions on the prison or hospital items, only thanks and requests for further information.
Apologies were received from Councillor Jerry Wellens.
AGREED:- That the minutes of the meeting held on 9 September 2026 be approved as a correct record, subject to recording the apologies received from Councillor Krista Childs.
Decision as recorded
AGREED: That the Chair thanked the Lead Member, Prison Deputy Governor and the Officer for their presentations, openness and honesty in answering the committee members question and invited them to a similar meeting next year, not forgetting to supply the information requested which were unable to be answered today.
The Chief Officer for Social Care submitted a report (COSC/32/26) informing the Committee of the delivery of social care services within HMP Berwyn through the Offender Assessment and Liaison Team (OALT). The Lead Member for Adults Social Care, Health and Wellbeing introduced the report. Members were advised that OALT, established in 2021, delivered statutory social care functions within the prison, including assessments, care and support planning, commissioning of care packages, financial assessments and contribution to parole and release planning. The team worked closely with prison, health and criminal justice partners to ensure continuity of care, support successful resettlement and reduced reoffending. The Committee also received an update from the Deputy Governor of HMP Berwyn, who outlined the prison’s operational arrangements. Members were informed that HMP Berwyn is a Category C training and resettlement prison serving North Wales and the Northwest of England, with an operational capacity of 2,000 prisoners and a current population of 1,944. The Deputy Governor highlighted recent positive inspection outcomes, the range of education, training and rehabilitation programmes available, support for Welsh language provision, equality initiatives, family support services and ongoing work to tackle substance misuse and reduce reoffending. The Head of Service for Adult Safeguarding and Mental Health provided further detail regarding the Council’s statutory responsibilities and the operation of OALT, including referral pathways, multi-agency working arrangements, release planning and governance arrangements. It was noted that the small specialist team continued to meet service demands effectively, although staffing capacity remained under review. The following was discussed: • Officers advised that 108 prisoners had been released across two phases to date. No additional funding had been received, although overtime arrangements had been implemented to manage the increased workload. It was noted that the impact on Wrexham services had been limited as the majority of those released were not local to the area. • Members were advised that 18 individuals released under the first phase had subsequently been recalled to custody. • Officers confirmed that electronic tagging arrangements were determined according to individual risk assessments. • Members discussed faith, cultural and language provision within the prison. • Officers outlined the support available through chaplaincy services, faith groups and Welsh language initiatives, noting increased participation from both prisoners and staff in Welsh language learning. • Clarification was sought regarding release and resettlement arrangements. • Members were advised that prisoners continued to receive the same resettlement support regardless of early release measures, with close involvement from probation services, local authorities and partner agencies to facilitate accommodation, employment and ongoing support. • Members considered social care provision, referral processes and the use of the Unilink self-referral system. • Officers advised that most referrals related to information, advice and signposting, with only a small number requiring formal social care packages. • Questions were raised regarding staffing pressures within both the prison and OALT. Officers reported that recruitment activity remained ongoing, staffing shortages were being managed through established arrangements and prison operations continued to function effectively. • Members requested further information regarding rehabilitation programmes, including the “Stoicism” and “Break the Cycle” initiatives, and welcomed the positive outcomes reported. • Discussion took place regarding healthcare pressures arising from the size of the prison population. • Officers agreed to provide information outside the meeting regarding hospital attendances and emergency service demand associated with the prison. • Members sought clarification regarding budget pressures within the social care service. • Officers confirmed that a historic funding shortfall remained, resulting in a small recurring overspend, although this had not affected the Council’s ability to meet its statutory duties. • Members welcomed the positive feedback received regarding Barnardo’s family support service and requested additional information regarding equality initiatives and support provided to the Gypsy, Romany and Traveller community. • During discussion, the Chair thanked officers and prison representatives for their attendance and acknowledged the valuable insight provided into both the operation of HMP Berwyn and the associated social care arrangements. AGREED: That the Chair thanked the Lead Member, Prison Deputy Governor and the Officer for their presentations, openness and honesty in answering the committee members question and invited them to a similar meeting next year, not forgetting to supply the information requested which were unable to be answered today.
Decision as recorded
AGREED:- That the Chair apologised for the delay in getting to this part of the agenda and thanked the WAST, Health Service and WCBC representatives for their involvement in today's meeting and for responding to Members' questions.
The Chief Officer for Governance and Customer submitted a report (COGC/57/26) providing a combined overview of Urgent and Emergency Care (UEC) performance and pressures at Wrexham Maelor Hospital together with Health and Social Care winter outcomes and the system response. The report aligned the Health Board update with the Council's winter outcomes reporting to support integrated scrutiny. The Lead Member for Adult Social Care, Health and Wellbeing introduced the report and acknowledged the significant pressures continuing across the health and social care system. Members were advised that the Emergency Department currently experiences around 180 attendances per day and that challenges remain in relation to waiting times, ambulance handovers, hospital capacity and workforce pressures. It was noted, however, that positive progress had been achieved through partnership working between Wrexham County Borough Council, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust. The Committee received presentations from representatives of the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust (WAST), Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) and Adult Social Care. The following was discussed: • Members received an update from WAST regarding winter planning arrangements, ambulance handover performance and initiatives aimed at improving patient outcomes and reducing demand on urgent and emergency services. • It was noted that handover performance at Wrexham Maelor Hospital had improved, although performance remained below national standards. Members were advised that achieving handover targets required a whole-system approach involving hospital flow, discharge arrangements and community capacity. • Clarification was provided regarding the use of "fit to sit" arrangements and the implementation of Electronic Patient Care Records (ePCR), which support digital information sharing and more efficient patient handovers. • Members discussed the challenges associated with data sharing across health and social care organisations and between health services in Wales and England. Officers outlined current developments, including the Right Patient, Right Bed dashboard, whilst acknowledging that a fully integrated data system was not yet in place. • Representatives from WAST advised that work continued nationally to improve digital integration and information sharing across organisational boundaries in order to support improved patient care and service planning. • Members discussed incidents of verbal and physical abuse directed at ambulance, health and call centre staff. Representatives from WAST and BCUHB confirmed that both organisations operated a zero-tolerance approach and worked closely with Police colleagues where appropriate. • Information was provided regarding the role of Advanced Paramedic Practitioners (APPs) and their contribution to delivering enhanced clinical care within the community, reducing unnecessary hospital attendances and ambulance conveyances. • Members were advised that mental health specialists were available within WAST contact centres and that additional support pathways were available for individuals experiencing mental health difficulties. • Representatives from BCUHB outlined current pressures within the Emergency Department, including demand levels, bed capacity constraints and delayed discharge arrangements. Members were advised that performance improvement programmes remained in place across the urgent and emergency care pathway. • Discussion took place regarding patient flows across the England-Wales border and access to urgent treatment services. Officers advised that patients should receive appropriate treatment regardless of residency and were not aware of any formal arrangements preventing patients from accessing urgent care services. • Members considered ongoing issues relating to hospital parking, accessibility and site safety. Officers advised that a range of options continued to be explored to improve parking arrangements, although financial and operational constraints remained. • The Committee discussed arrangements for identifying and supporting vulnerable patients attending the Emergency Department, including those experiencing mental health difficulties. Officers outlined triage and escalation processes in place to ensure patients were assessed and prioritised appropriately. • Members sought assurance regarding winter preparedness and resilience planning. Representatives from WAST and BCUHB outlined established arrangements for responding to adverse weather events and other seasonal pressures. • Officers provided an update on the use of grant funding to support domiciliary care capacity, rapid discharge services and reablement provision. Members noted that these initiatives had contributed positively to reducing delayed discharges and supporting timely hospital discharge. • The Committee discussed wider discharge pressures, including the availability of residential care placements, domiciliary care packages and advocacy support. Officers advised that work continued across the region to develop integrated approaches aimed at reducing hospital delays and supporting people to return home wherever possible. • Members considered the potential role of artificial intelligence and digital innovation within health services. Officers advised that work had commenced on exploring opportunities to utilise emerging technologies, particularly in relation to data analysis and service improvement. • Further discussion took place regarding ambulance handover delays, workforce pressures and the importance of alternative care pathways in supporting patient flow and reducing unnecessary hospital attendances. AGREED:- That the Chair apologised for the delay in getting to this part of the agenda and thanked the WAST, Health Service and WCBC representatives for their involvement in today's meeting and for responding to Members' questions.
Decision as recorded
AGREED - That the Committee: - (i) Noted the draft Work Programme attached at Appendix 1; (ii) Agreed that the Work Programme remain unchanged at the present time, with amendments to future meeting dates to be considered at a future meeting; and (iii) Agreed the proposed membership of the Child Poverty Task and Finish Group.
The Chief Officer for Governance and Customer submitted a report (COGC/82/26) requesting Members to consider the draft Work Programme of the Safeguarding, Communities and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee attached at Appendix 1. The Chair advised Members that the Work Programme would remain unchanged at the present time. It was noted that amendments to the February and March 2027 meeting schedules would be required and would be considered at a future meeting. The Committee discussed membership of the Child Poverty Task and Finish Group. Members were advised that the Chair, Councillor Malcolm King, Councillor Jeremy Kent and Councillor Jerry Wellens had expressed an interest in participating in the Group. Councillor Claire Lovett also indicated that she would be interested, subject to the timing of meetings. It was noted that a further member may be sought following future Committee appointments. AGREED - That the Committee: - (i) Noted the draft Work Programme attached at Appendix 1; (ii) Agreed that the Work Programme remain unchanged at the present time, with amendments to future meeting dates to be considered at a future meeting; and (iii) Agreed the proposed membership of the Child Poverty Task and Finish Group.
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