Agenda and minutes

Elin Prysor attended to present a report on Covid-19 Gold Command Decisions

 log.  The previous reports were presented on 20^th January 2021 and  

16^th June 2021.  The Decision Log for decisions made between 4^th May 2021 and

 31^st August 2021 were included in this report and had been published on the

 Council Website.

During discussion, a Member asked why the information provided relates to the

period up until August 2021 only? The Officer confirmed that the log is displayed

publicly on the Council Website, however, agreed that this should be updated

regularly and will ensure that a monthly update is displayed in future. 

    Following a question regarding temporary delegated powers, it was confirmed that

    those powers lapsed on the 31 August 2021, however, Gold Command has

    continued to meet under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004.

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

Command Covid-19 Leadership Group Meetings Decisions Log so as to monitor

the governance for the Councils adapting decision-making arrangements.

    The Chairman thanked Elin Prysor for the report. 

Elizabeth Upcott attended the meeting to present the CYSUR/CWMPAS

combined Local Operational Group Safeguarding Report, Quarter 1, 2021/2022

outlining a summary of the key points as follows:

·       There has been a significant increase in the number of safeguarding reports in comparison with the previous quarter that led to Child Protection Strategy Discussions/Strategy Meetings, 99 in quarter 4 to 116 in quarter 1;

·       The total number of children placed on the Child Protection Register following Initial Conferences were 18 in this quarter, compared to 7 in the previous quarter.

·       Police were again the main referring agency in this quarter followed by Education and then Internal Social Services staff. This follows the same pattern in Quarter 4.

·       The main concerns that led to the completion of child protection enquiries were allegations of sexual abuse/exploitation (25) and physical abuse (24). This is comparable with Q4 where physical abuse (17) and sexual abuse (16) were the main categories of abuse reported.

·       The initial child protection conferences held during this quarter had doubled from the previous quarter. 94.4% of initial conferences were held within timescales.

·       There were a total number of 12 Review Child Protection Conferences held in this quarter. This related to a total of 24 children from 12 families. As an outcome of the review conferences, 7 children remained on the register with 17 children removed from the Child Protection Register. Of the number of children removed from the register, 16 children remained subject to a Child in Need Care and Support Plan.

·       In 95% of the conferences held, there was at least one family member, who holds Parental Responsibility present at the conference and in 90% of the conferences held, the children’s views were represented.

·       The main risk factors to children that were recorded were domestic abuse, parental non-cooperation with the Child Protection Plan, separation, and parental mental health difficulties.

·       The number of children on the Child Protection Register was consistent with the previous quarter; however 17 Children were deregistered with a further 18 Children being registered at the Initial Child Protection Conference.

      Following a question regarding Staff capacity, it was confirmed that there are currently Staff vacancies, however, all statutory work requirements are being fulfilled and Staff are continuing to work tirelessly in this Service.  Partnership Working is key, for example there are Police Liaison Officers dedicated to each School in Ceredigion who are regularly called upon for support.

      Concern were raised regarding the increase in Child Protection referrals and the Officer confirmed that even during the lockdown period Social Workers continued essential visits, to those families whereby children are on the Child Protection Register, whilst adhering to the Covid guidelines. A Member advised Committee Members that he is aware of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

  Lisa Evans presented the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2020/2021.  Members agreed to note its contents prior to being presented to Full Council on the 9^th December 2021.

Lisa Evans introduced the Self-evaluation of Scrutiny report. It was agreed at

           the Democratic Services Committee meeting held on the 23 February 2018,

           that the Scrutiny Officers would undertake a review of the effectiveness of

           Overview and Scrutiny in Ceredigion County Council, and that this would be

           undertaken annually in future.

           It was resolved at the Democratic Services Committee meeting held on

           27 January 2020 to:

1.    Continue to carry out the survey on an annual basis;

2.    To reduce the number of questions with an aim to increase participation;

3.    To review the format of the report, combining the Welsh and English responses, and translating the document as a whole

      A total of 15 responses were received, this is a reduction in comparison to the 25 responses received in 2020, some completed online and some by post. Members’ names are not disclosed.

      Members were asked to consider the responses received from the scrutiny self-evaluation questionnaire and identify any areas for improvement.

      Following discussion, it was agreed to note the responses received.

Cathryn Morgan presented the Ceredigion Public Services Board (PSB) meeting minutes held on the 17^th 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 2^nd  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 7^th 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 17^th 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.

Each Committee Chair provided information in turn regarding their respective Overview and Scrutiny Committees.     It was agreed to include Street Scene to the Thriving Communities Overview and Scrutiny Forward Work Plan to discuss pavement access.

The minutes of the Coordinating meeting held on the 15 September 2021 were confirmed as a true record of proceedings.  

      The Chairman advised the Committee that in relation to minute number 29, page number 2, agenda item: Minutes of the Ceredigion Public Services Board (PSB) meeting held on the 12^th July 2021 and the Ceredigion Local Well-being Plan Annual Report 2020-2021, that a concern raised by a Member noted in paragraph 2 and 3 of those minutes requested he raised those concerns at the Public Services Board meeting. Councillor Rees-Evans confirmed he had raised those concerns. 

There were no matters raised.

       Councillor Rowland Rees-Evans, Chair, thanked Committee Members for

       attending the meeting and to Officers and Cabinet Members for presenting

       the information.  He thanked all officers involved for ensuring the smooth running of the meeting.