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Agenda and minutes

Venue: The Council Chamber, County Hall, The Rhadyr, Usk, NP15 1GA

Contact: Democratic Services 

Items
No. Item

1.

Declarations of interest

Minutes:

County Councillor F. Taylor declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest in Item 9 Adults Select Committee Forward Work Programme as a Member of the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.

2.

Public Open Forum

Minutes:

No members of the public were present.

3.

Social Housing Grant Report: Performance report on spending of grant monies. pdf icon PDF 249 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members discussed the Social Housing Programme Delivery Report and the presentation which provided examples of case studies demonstrating how the grant is able to impact upon people’s wellbeing as well as housing need. The officer explained that key issues for Monmouthshire in respect of affordable housing are:

 

           Affordability for people wishing to purchase their own home, the average house price in Monmouthshire being £301,900.  This is in comparison with the Wales average of £185, 529 and means that affordability in the lower quartile of earners would require borrowing of 9 times their salary.   Purchasing a property is out of

           There is pressure on housing waiting lists, with 3,269 people registered on the Homesearch waiting list for affordable housing, this including social rented housing and intermediate housing (low cost home ownership and intermediate rents).  During a 1 year period between 2018-19, there were 1711 new applications registered on Homesearch, with only 630 properties available and from the 3,269 people registered, only 471 were housed.

           We have seen a year on year increase in homeless presentations and last year, we received 835 presentations by people who were at risk of homelessness, with 304 households being threatened with homelessness within 56 days.  244 of the 304 households were found to be actually homeless and needing assistance and support. 

The officer advised that just over £5.2 million had been received in social housing grant monies and that most of this had been spent, with a small underspend of £194,376k being returned to Welsh Government, due to land prices posing challenges for delivery of schemes. The money has enabled the delivery of 84 new builds, has helped 10 people buy a property of their choice on the open market, has financed 17 ex-council house buy back properties and 1 rent to own property.  The committee was advised that schemes with different funding streams have particular stipulations and that following a recent review of Social Housing Grant monies grant monies may decrease and changes cannot be predicted at this time.

 

Challenge:

 

           Members questioned the use of the Rural Allocations Policy for a new build developments rather than existing properties that may become available. The committee recommend that the officer explores the application of the policy to properties that are not solely new-build. A review of Homesearch is being undertaken and this will be taken into consideration as part of this review.

           The Committee highlighted that some bungalows provided by Monmouthshire Housing Association (MHA) for older people are unsuitable due to steps ~ this would be discussed with MHA.

           Can Social Housing Grant monies be used to assist people with deposits ~ Unfortunately there are stipulations with the funding and it cannot be used in this way, however there are other new products available through Welsh Government that can assist people with deposits.

           If funding is to be reduced, what proposals do we have to meet the gap?  Welsh Government have reduced the funding, but the substantial money available  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

Revenue and Capital Outturn report: Budget monitoring report for quarterly scrutiny. pdf icon PDF 405 KB

Minutes:

Revenue and Capital Outturn Report:  Budget Monitoring

 

The budgetary outcome position for 2018/2019 was presented and the relevant parts within the committee’s remit were discussed. Members challenged the 989k underspend in the Adults Select portfolio as follows:

 

Challenge:

 

Members requested explanation of the 989k underspend and were advised these related to:

 

           Adult Services (£181k overspend) – resulting from a significant drop off in community meals income, together with £155k staffing pressures, a £120k net pressure caused by limited capacity in the external domiciliary care provider market, compensated for by vacancies and management savings of £97k.

           Community Care (£1.073m underspend) – savings within Mental Health Care team budget and Frailty pooled budget (collective £1.4m) compensate for an inherent pressure to adult disability care provider costs and client needs (£323k overspend).

           Commissioning (£104k underspend) – predominantly the effect of reviewing service contracts, and a staffing saving, compensating for Drybridge Gardens income shortfall caused by a tenancy vacancy.

           Resources (£7k overspend) – net effect of increased transport costs.

 

Members challenged officers on the following:

 

           The Number of agency staff in domiciliary care ~ they were advised that agency workers are employed for times when there sickness or maternity cover required, not as part of the longer term operating structure and that certain projects such as the Integrated Care Fund project may require agency staff for short term projects.

           The reduction in take up of Community Meals and the fact that if there is a lower take up, there are fewer people who will be benefiting from the social interaction that would take place and whether that poses a concern for the department. Members were advised that the Success of reablement has meant that some people are more independent and together with the luncheon clubs at Mardy Park and the marketing of Wiltshire farm foods (where the costs are comparable) has led to a reduction in take up of the service. The committee heard that the Community Meals Team undertook a review in which they asked if people would like the driver to spend some time with people when delivering the meal, to have a chat and that the team is now working on how this can be factored into the timetable to make the experience more of a social interaction in which relationships can be developed.

           Members challenged officers as to whether they can confirm that nobody is being disadvantaged by the cost increase. Members asked whether service users have been asked why they are not taking up meals and whether a socio- economic assessment has been undertaken to ensure that people are not suffering due to financial reasons.  Members were advised that as far as we know, people are not being disadvantaged and that when asked, if finance has been identified as a problem, options are considered to help them. 

           Members expressed that the social interaction aspect is crucial and that if people decide not to have meals, they may not realise the impact  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Adult Services Co-option Report: To consider potential options for co-option onto the Select Committees. E.g. Access for All Forum, Mind, Age UK, GAVO, Carers' Group.
pdf icon PDF 79 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Co-option onto Adults Select Committee Report

 

The Scrutiny Manager presented a report which highlighted an opportunity for the committee to consider co-opting individuals onto the committee to offer insight and expertise.  There was broad support for the proposal which will enhance the effectiveness of the scrutiny, whilst there will still be an opportunity to engage with stakeholders on a topic by topic basis and ensure democratic input to decision-making.

 

Outcome:

 

           Agreement to proceed with a report to council to co-opt individuals in a non-voting capacity, with a review at end of administrative term.

6.

To confirm the minutes of the previous Ordinary meeting held on 18th June 2019 pdf icon PDF 130 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 18th June 2019 were confirmed as a true record.

7.

List of actions following the last meeting pdf icon PDF 41 KB

Minutes:

·         Housing Policy:  The Select Committee recommended a hybrid approach.  The Cabinet Member, Enterprise, decided to pursue Option 1 but acknowledged the point made by the Adults Select Committee.

·         Impact of Rollout of Universal Credit: A letter (circulated to Members) was written to Cabinet Members to reaffirm our approach and to consider an increase to discretionary housing payment. An acknowledgement was received from County Councillor S. Jones, Cabinet Member for Social Justice and Community Development requesting a meeting to consider options.  The Chair will meet with the Cabinet Member and will advise Committee of progress.

·         Annual Housing Performance Report: Regarding the link to the LDP – look at what information needed and the role of housing in social care.  This work is in progress.

 

 

8.

Adults Select Committee Forward Work Programme pdf icon PDF 298 KB

Minutes:

Adults Select Work Programme:

 

           An update report to be requested from Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) on the Critical Care Centre ~ clarification on services and the distribution of public information. Report to include the impact on other hospitals and a list of current inpatient and outpatient services before and after the changes, with timescales.

           A workshop to be requested with the health board during October on ‘How can we engage with communities better?  What are we doing well together to deliver a healthy wales? What aren’t we doing well?’

           A request for ABUHB to present the position on ‘Pooled Budgets and Joint Working’ ~ a snapshot paper on how we can best hold that work to account.

           Future scrutiny item on Mental Health Services, the challenges and aftercare arrangements when someone leaves the Mental Health Service.

           To request the publicised information on the take up of flu vaccines.

           For the 24th September, a report on Domiciliary Care, inviting some providers to discuss how ‘Turning the World Upside Down’ is implemented and how we sustain this going forward, how we move away from a task orientated service to a more relationship focussed service and respond to challenges, future proofing services, ensuring that employment in these services is attractive.  Members would be invited to attend Mardy Park to have discussions with service users in advance of the scrutiny activity.

           For the October Select Committee ~ scrutiny of a report on the impact of Disabled Facilities Grants and the interface between housing and social care.

9.

Council and Cabinet Work Planner pdf icon PDF 178 KB

Minutes:

The Council and Cabinet Work Planner was noted.

10.

Next Meeting: 24th September 2019