Cathryn Morgan presented the Ceredigion
Public Services Board (PSB) meeting minutes held on the 17th
September 2021.
Rob Starr and Caitlin Theordorou presented the
Draft Assessment of Local Well-being.
Rob Starr advised Committee Members that the Draft Assessment of Local
Well-being had been produced in order to inform the
preparation of the Ceredigion Local Well-being Plan 2023-28. The Plan will set out how to improve the
Well-being of Ceredigion and its communities over the next 5 years outlining
what is important to people and communities in Ceredigion. The Draft Assessment had
been approved by the PSB for consultation and is on track for publishing
the final Assessment in March 2022.
Rob Starr and Caitlin Theordorou then outlined
the main themes and findings to date which are as follows:
· Digitisation – is
reported as a high priority, more so with remote and home working;
· Housing Affordability –
is reported as a high priority, more so with increased house prices during the
pandemic;
· Poverty (In-Work
Poverty and Child Poverty) – Ceredigion has seen the 2nd highest increase in child poverty in Wales
and this therefore needs close monitoring;
· Changing Population –
we have seen a decline in the working age and an increase in the older
generation. This could develop to greater complex needs leading to pressure on
our Health and Social Care Services;
· Environment – Climate
change and protecting the Environment was important especially for children;
· Future Health Needs –
Better quality and access to Leisure Services was noted to assist individual’s
Wellbeing and Mental Health;
· Role of Culture –
identified as important although there has been a decline in arts and heritage
participation just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of the
engagement, however, evidence that individuals strongly value the role of
culture in their lives; and;
· Welsh Language –
evidence shows continued increased numbers of Welsh speakers in the County.
Caitlin Theodorou
then continued explaining the next steps in this process:
· Consultation Period – 8
weeks (due to commence very soon);
· Consultation to run
until January 2022;
· Requesting all to
feedback and respond;
· Present Final
Assessment to PSB 7th March 2022.
In response to Members questions and concerns, in-particular
concerns regarding Poverty and Housing, it was confirmed that further
investigation needs to be completed in order to finalise the document.
Following discussion, Members agreed the following recommendations:
1.
To
receive the draft minutes of the Ceredigion PSB meeting held on 17th
September 2021; and;
2.
To
receive he draft Assessment of Local Well-being that is currently out for
public consultation.
The Chairman thanked Diana, Rob, Caitlin, Mari and the Council Leader
for the detailed report.