Agenda item

·         The powers afforded to scrutiny to hold the PSB to account

·         The capacity of the Public Service Board to deliver the well-being assessment

·         Recommendations made by the Select Committee to the PSB on their governance arrangements (letter to the PSB attached)

The Chair invited the Chief Executive Officer to take the committee through the bullet points on the agenda, taking into account the letter sent to the Chair of the Public Service Board. It was noted that the Public Service Board has only met a few times and is still a young entity from previous Local Service Board.

Key Issues:

·         The powers afforded to scrutiny to hold the PSB to account

·         The capacity of the Public Service Board to deliver the well-being Assessment.

·         Recommendations made by the Select Committee to the PSB on their governance arrangements.

Member Scrutiny:

During discussion following the Chief Executive Officer’s overview the following points were noted:

It was asked if at future Public Service Board meetings to ensure attendance levels remain good, that members of the board appointed a designated deputy who appreciated the complexity of the work to allow for continuity and informed discussion.

It was felt important that action points from the Public Service Board meetings were carried forward to Select Committees and it was agreed that the Public Service Board needs to be focused on the business so that the Select Committee can be reassured that the expected disciplines will be in place.

We were told that Monmouthshire County Council were looking at commissioning some futures work. This would add validity to the Public Service Board to supplement the work already being done.

Public service reform was discussed and we were told that we should expect collaboration of a different, more systematic order. The Committee heard outlines of two different footprints for the region and whichever the outcome, the Minister expects to see more collaboration.

With reference to a comment made, a member asked for reassurance that the PSB will be a forceful and driven committee. In response we were told that the Chair was a fan of intent, but a bigger fan of evidence and as a new committee its purpose had not been proven, in time the Select Committee will be able to scrutinise the Public Service Board on evidence.

In answer to a member asking if the cluster we are developing with the five main towns was the right direction we were told that the perfect architecture did not exist.

It was commented how important engagement from the Future Generations Commissioner Sophie Howe was. The Chair told the committee that the Commissioner had been invited to this meeting but had declined. It was felt important that she was invited again.

A Member sought reassurance that the council had sufficient resourcing to support and service a Public Service Board.  The Chief Executive Officer explained that whilst the council is leading on the organisation side, this is a typical pattern across Wales and commitment from each of the partners will be sought to implement the priorities.  The Programme Board was felt to be strong and well attended by partners who take responsibility for delivering its work.  The Chief Executive Officer acknowledged that the PSB is operating at the edge of capacity and whilst currently, it is felt to be capable of being able to deliver its responsibilities, this is an issue that will need to be closely watched as time progresses.

Member queried the difference is between the current Public Service Board and the Local Service Board.  The Chief Executive Officer responded by saying that whilst the membership is fairly similar, the major difference is the progress that has been made with the Programme Board and the alignment of activity.  Members were advised that the requirements of the Future Generations Act have led to the PSB becoming a more focussed entity, emerging priorities being small in number but significantly difficult issues requiring a multi-agency approach to address them.  The Chief Executive Officer advised members that board would adopt a business focussed discipline and that the ideal membership would enable partners to be represented, but avoid the board becoming too large and unwieldy in terms of its efficiency.

Members expressed an interest in Future Generations work and heard that this is being undertaken by Monmouthshire County Council as part of the Future Monmouthshire work and it is hoped this will have some validity for the future direction of the board.

Members recognised that the Local Government Minister Mark Drayford’s address on his expectations of collaboration on key services is likely to have implications for the future footprint of local government, with collaboration with neighbouring authorities and those in the south east Wales region, particularly the Cardiff Capital Region on issues such as economic development, housing and transport.  The Chief Executive Officer acknowledged the advantages of co-terminosity, with a focus on health on social care. The possibility of a Gwent Public Service Board may need to be considered as the entity develops, members suggesting that if this were to be established, there would be a need to reflect the local identity.

In terms of the Chief Executive Officer’s view of the role and value of scrutiny of the board, he urged the Committee to consider it satisfies itself that that the evidence base coming forward is robust enough to enable the PSB to set a small number of priorities to take forward.