Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and wished everyone a Happy New Year.  The Chair sympathised with those who are unwell at this present time.  He explained that due to the weather conditions, (snow) many had been unable to attend the Chamber in person. Councillor Keith Evans, Chairman, was present, however was recovering from an illness, therefore Councillor Wyn Evans (vice Chairman) had agreed to Chair the meeting on his behalf.

Councillor Caryl Roberts apologised for being unable to attend the meeting.

There were no disclosures of personal or prejudicial interests. 

The Chairman welcomed Councillor Alun Williams, Cabinet Member, Peter Skitt, Hywel Dda University Health Board County Director, Donna Pritchard and Nerys Lewis, Officers, to the meeting. Councillor Alun Williams, Cabinet Member, provided a brief introduction in relation to the Cylch Caron Project.   Peter Skitt then provided an update in relation to the project. The Cylch Caron project will deliver a single-site GP surgery, community pharmacy, outpatient clinics, community nursing, and social care facilities, as well as extra care housing in Tregaron. He explained that this scheme will provide an integrated rural model of community care and housing and provide a replacement for Tregaron Hospital and Bryntirion Residential Care Home. This is a partnership project between Ceredigion County Council and Hywel Dda University Health Board, along with Welsh Government.

          The tender pack is currently being reviewed by officers across Ceredigion

          County Council and Hywel Dda University Health Board with a report to 

          Cabinet in the next few months.

          Main points arising from discussion were as follows:

·       A new planning application will need to be submitted once a new partner has been appointed.  The phosphate element remains a risk.  The design may also differ from the original design. 

·       Could local construction support be used whenever possible?  There is potential to encourage the new partner to employ local contractors,

·       It was confirmed that once the tender process is complete, there will be a requirement to review the funding package in collaboration with Welsh Government,

·       In response to a question, it was confirmed that it is imperative that the scheme is delivered,

·       In response to a question, it was confirmed that the land is secured.

          It was agreed that Officers would return with a further update once the 

          tendering process has been completed. The Chairman thanked the Cabinet

          Member, Peter Skitt, Donna Pritchard, and Nerys Lewis for attending and

          providing an update on the Cylch Caron project.

Councillor Alun Williams, Cabinet Member and Elizabeth Upcott, Officer, attended to present the quarter 2 multi-agency management reports in relation to safeguarding children and adults in Ceredigion during the period 1st July to 30th September 2022. The reports provide management information on action taken under the Wales Safeguarding Procedures and include information provided by other agencies in relation to safeguarding the welfare of children and adults in Ceredigion. The management information is discussed by members of the CYSUR/CWMPAS Combined (Ceredigion) Local Operations Group in order to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the safeguarding of children and adults’ arrangements in Ceredigion with the outcomes achieved. These multi agency meetings provide an opportunity to identify and act upon any performance and other issues within this area of work. Performance information is also provided to the Mid and West Wales Regional Safeguarding Board which is also an opportunity to analyse performance, trends and issues across the Region.

Members were given the opportunity to ask questions which were answered by Elizabeth Upcott.

Main points arising as follows:

·       The importance of early intervention/prevention is imperative,

·       It was noted that the lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic has had a serious impact on some children’s wellbeing,

·       In response to a question regarding self-harm figures in Ceredigion during July 2022, the Officer stated that there was no specific reason why the figures have significantly increased during the month, but she did state that they have seen an increase in children’s mental health since Covid,

·       In response to a question regarding risks, it was confirmed that evidence shows with incoming referrals to the service that early intervention is key so to avoid further escalation,

·       In response to a question, it was confirmed that there are very experienced Child Protection Officers placed in the Triage Team and all risks are carefully researched, with each case examined individually and escalated appropriately,

·       It was confirmed that Members of the Public are able to report any risk to the Police if deemed appropriate.

         Following discussion, Committee Members agreed to note the contents of the

         report and the levels of activity with the Local Authority so that governance of the

         Local Authority and its partner agencies are monitored. The Chairman thanked

         and congratulated Elizabeth Upcott and her team for their hard work.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Bryan Davies, and Chairman of the PSB attended to introduce the PSB agenda item with the Vice-Chair, Hazel Lloyd-Lubran, Chief Executive, CAVO, and Naomi McDonagh, Officer.

          Hazel Lloyd-Lubran presented the minutes of the Ceredigion PSB meeting held

          on the 2^{nd of} December 2022 were presented to the Committee.

          During discussion, main points raised were as follows:

·       Preparation work is underway to welcome asylum seekers to Ceredigion,

·       The future of public transport is being considered and discussed,

·       It was confirmed that the PSB meet 5 times a year,

·       Warm space hubs are continually discussed with Communities.

          Following discussion, Committee Members were asked to consider the following

          recommendation:

·       To receive the draft minutes of the Ceredigion PSB meeting held on 2nd

           December 2022.

           Members agreed to accept the recommendation in order to carry out their

           role of taking an overview of the overall effectiveness of the PSB.

           The Chair thanked the Leader of the Council and Chair of the PSB,   

           Councillor Bryan Davies, the Vice-chair, Hazel Lloyd-Lubran, and   

           Naomi McDonagh, Officer for attending and presenting the information and

           answering any questions.

The minutes of the Coordinating meeting held on the 23rd of November

             2022 were confirmed as a true record of proceedings and there were no

             matters arising from those minutes.

Each Chair (or Vice-chair in the Chair’s absence), in turn gave an update on

             their respective Committee’s Forward Work Plans. 

1.    Thriving Communities

The Chair confirmed that there will be a meeting of a Task and Finish Group at his request arranged for Monday 30 January at 2pm with an invite for all non-Cabinet Members to attend to discuss waste collection.  The Leader advised Committee Members that discussions have taken place due to the recent waste disruptions and short-term improvements have been implemented.

2.    Healthier Communities

In the Chair’s absence, Councillor Ceris Jones, Vice-Chair provided an update on the Committees work.  The Leader of the Council stated that in the Governance and Audit Committee meeting Monday a suggestion was made that the Healthier Communities should receive a future report from the Public Protection Team in relation to Food Hygiene. 

3.    Learning Communities

The Chair provided an update in relation to the Learning Communities future work plan. He also advised the Committee that Members of the workstream will be visiting schools soon.

4.    Corporate Resources

The Chair provided an update in relation to the Corporate Resources future work plan.  He advised the Committee Members of the recent County Farms event held in the Council Chamber and that the Task and Finish Group Members have agreed to visit the County Farms in the coming months.  

The Chair also stated that a Member had requested a future agenda item be placed on the work plan, namely, Procurement.  This will be discussed at the next Corporate Resources meeting.

5.    Coordinating Committee

The Chair provided an update in relation to the Coordinating Committee’s future work plan.