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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED - (i) That the update with regards to the outcome of CIW’s Performance Evaluation Inspection of Wrexham Social Services held in November 2023 be noted. (ii) That the work of the Accelerated Improvement & Transformation Board in Social Care to oversee this work be supported. (iii) That, recognising the excellent work made by the Department as a whole, and acknowledging the need to focus on further improvement in Adult Services, it be agreed that this work be prioritised in the Board’s work programme moving forwards. (iv) That the positive journey of improvement that Social Care has been on for the last 4 years be reflected on, and that it be acknowledged that this has been achieved through the collective work and support of employees and management team in Social Care and the Executive Board, Scrutiny Committee and the Senior Leadership Team of the Council. Reasons for decisions (i) The recommendations are consistent with the contents of the CIW report and with actions taken to date in responding to the report. (ii) The change in emphasis reflects the balance of the report and the need to address more areas of development within adult services.
RESOLVED – That the ICT & Digital Strategy 2024-27 be approved. Reasons for decisions (i) To enable the Council to deliver its Ensuring a Modern & Resilient Council priority by providing ICT infrastructure and digital capability and building on progress made to date to drive the Council forward as a truly Digital First authority. (ii) To ensure that the Council can meet customer expectations in providing digital options for accessing information and services.
RESOLVED – That the new People Strategy to 2028, in line with the Council Plan cycle, be approved. Reasons for decisions (i) To enable the Council to have a core strategy adopted. (ii) To outline for our workforce and future workforce our vision and plan for our people. (iii) To continue to review and develop a framework of integrated people policies, procedures and plans to support employees in enabling the delivery of services.
An apology for absence was submitted on behalf of Councillor Robert Walsh.
RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 20 February 2024 be signed as a correct record.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED - (i) That the update with regards to the outcome of CIW’s Performance Evaluation Inspection of Wrexham Social Services held in November 2023 be noted. (ii) That the work of the Accelerated Improvement & Transformation Board in Social Care to oversee this work be supported. (iii) That, recognising the excellent work made by the Department as a whole, and acknowledging the need to focus on further improvement in Adult Services, it be agreed that this work be prioritised in the Board’s work programme moving forwards. (iv) That the positive journey of improvement that Social Care has been on for the last 4 years be reflected on, and that it be acknowledged that this has been achieved through the collective work and support of employees and management team in Social Care and the Executive Board, Scrutiny Committee and the Senior Leadership Team of the Council. Reasons for decisions (i) The recommendations are consistent with the contents of the CIW report and with actions taken to date in responding to the report. (ii) The change in emphasis reflects the balance of the report and the need to address more areas of development within adult services.
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The Lead Member for Adult Social Care and the Lead Member for Children’s Services submitted a report (COSC/05/24) to provide Members with an update of the outcome of a Performance Evaluation Inspection of Social Care Services by Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) in November 2023. The Lead Member for Adult Social Care presented the report and highlighted the main points contained within it. A debate ensued and the following points were raised during the debate: · Acknowledgement that the journey was still ongoing, but recognition that team working resulted in significant progress being made. · It was recognised that Social Care was an extremely challenging area, but tributes were expressed to the Chief Officer and his staff for their hard work undertaken in this area. · Importance of ensuring that the good practice needed to be sustained to continue the positive journey. · Clarification sought regarding the “Grow Your Own” model for developing staff. The Chief Officer advised that staff undertook a three year training course, and it was noted that the first cohort would complete their training in September. · Confirmation that there were positive responses to vacant positions that were being advertised as candidates were interested in the opportunity to develop within Social Care. The number of people employed by an Agency had already reduced significantly as staff had moved to permanent roles within the Department. RESOLVED - (i) That the update with regards to the outcome of CIW’s Performance Evaluation Inspection of Wrexham Social Services held in November 2023 be noted. (ii) That the work of the Accelerated Improvement & Transformation Board in Social Care to oversee this work be supported. (iii) That, recognising the excellent work made by the Department as a whole, and acknowledging the need to focus on further improvement in Adult Services, it be agreed that this work be prioritised in the Board’s work programme moving forwards. (iv) That the positive journey of improvement that Social Care has been on for the last 4 years be reflected on, and that it be acknowledged that this has been achieved through the collective work and support of employees and management team in Social Care and the Executive Board, Scrutiny Committee and the Senior Leadership Team of the Council. Reasons for decisions (i) The recommendations are consistent with the contents of the CIW report and with actions taken to date in responding to the report. (ii) The change in emphasis reflects the balance of the report and the need to address more areas of development within adult services.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – That the ICT & Digital Strategy 2024-27 be approved. Reasons for decisions (i) To enable the Council to deliver its Ensuring a Modern & Resilient Council priority by providing ICT infrastructure and digital capability and building on progress made to date to drive the Council forward as a truly Digital First authority. (ii) To ensure that the Council can meet customer expectations in providing digital options for accessing information and services.
The Lead Member for Corporate Services submitted a report (COGC/19/24) to provide an overview of progress under the existing ICT and Digital Strategy 2020-23 including an evaluation of the Council’s digital inclusion initiatives supporting customers across the County Borough; to outline the key themes that will be incorporated into the refreshed strategy to cover the period 2024-27; to provide content for the proposed strategy; and to seek approval from Members to adopt the ICT and Digital Strategy 2024-27. The Lead Member presented the report and highlighted the main points contained within it. A debate ensued, and the following points were raised during the discussion: · Members welcomed the report and highlighted the importance of the Smart Towns Initiative, which was receiving global recognition. · Acknowledgement that steps were constantly being taken to increase security and protect the Council’s network, and this was something that would always continue. · Suggestion that the priority of delivering efficient Streetscene services should be included as an objective in the Strategy, as this was a high demand public service with a lot of contact from residents. Such demand in this area could have an impact on resources, and it was felt that ICT implementation could therefore assist Officers in responding to a high number of queries. · Confirmation that the Environment Department were trialling new software which had already significantly reduced the amount of paper being used. · Importance of recognising the important role that Community Agents, Community Councils and Libraries play in reaching out to those people who do not engage/communicate digitally. · Concern was expressed with regards to Artificial Intelligence (AI). Officers provided some reassurance to Members and offered to update Members further in relation to the work that was ongoing with reference to this. RESOLVED – That the ICT & Digital Strategy 2024-27 be approved. Reasons for decisions (i) To enable the Council to deliver its Ensuring a Modern & Resilient Council priority by providing ICT infrastructure and digital capability and building on progress made to date to drive the Council forward as a truly Digital First authority. (ii) To ensure that the Council can meet customer expectations in providing digital options for accessing information and services.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – That the new People Strategy to 2028, in line with the Council Plan cycle, be approved. Reasons for decisions (i) To enable the Council to have a core strategy adopted. (ii) To outline for our workforce and future workforce our vision and plan for our people. (iii) To continue to review and develop a framework of integrated people policies, procedures and plans to support employees in enabling the delivery of services.
The Lead Member for Corporate Services submitted a report (CE/06/24) seeking approval for the new People Strategy to 2028 which sets out the vision and plan for our people to support the delivery of the Council Plan, including the priority “A highly skilled and engaged workforce, focused on delivering services”. The Lead Member presented the report and highlighted the main points contained within it. A discussion ensued, and the following observations were made: · Reassurances given that the Lead Member met regularly with Officers and was regularly briefed. · Concerns were expressed in relation to the impact that vacancy management had on existing staff due to an increase in demand for services with less staff delivering them. · Confirmation that health and wellbeing of staff was a high priority for the Authority, and there were a range of services offered to employees to support that. · Confirmation that the Trade Unions were consulted with during the development of the Strategy. RESOLVED – That the new People Strategy to 2028, in line with the Council Plan cycle, be approved. Reasons for decisions (i) To enable the Council to have a core strategy adopted. (ii) To outline for our workforce and future workforce our vision and plan for our people. (iii) To continue to review and develop a framework of integrated people policies, procedures and plans to support employees in enabling the delivery of services.