The Community & Adult Services Scrutiny Committee met on Monday 13 July 2026 to review the Local Authority Social Services Annual Report, a property acquisition proposal for Medallion House, and Q4 performance reports for Adults, Housing and Communities. The committee also received updates on the Responsive Repairs Improvement Plan and Gypsy and Traveller site issues, and approved the Scrutiny Annual Report 2025/26.

Local Authority Social Services Annual Report

Councillor Norma Mackie, Cabinet Member for Social Services (Adult Services and Public Health), presented the Local Authority Social Services Annual Report 2025/2026. The report highlighted progress made by Cardiff's social services during the year, including a reduction in social worker vacancies and an increase in carer assessments. The committee welcomed the positive report and congratulated staff on their achievements despite ongoing demand pressures. Members discussed the Living Well With Physical Disabilities Strategy, with assurances that key organisations related to physical, visual, and sensory impairments would be consulted. The £3.5 million in efficiencies was clarified as being due to preventative work, which reduced demand on services. Concerns were raised about accessibility issues for an age-friendly city, and officers confirmed that assessments consider the whole life of an individual. Plans for new respite provision for people with learning disabilities include the development of a purpose-built centre in Rumney. Key challenges for 2026/27 were identified as increasing demand for support and ensuring sufficient workforce, particularly in light of changes affecting migrant workers. The committee also discussed the Regional Partnership Fund, a joint fund with Health provided by the Welsh Government, which provides approximately £6 million in funding. Concerns were raised about the uncertainty of this funding beyond the current year, and representations were being made to the Welsh Government.

Property Acquisition Proposal for Medallion House

The committee reviewed the proposal for the acquisition of Medallion House at 62-64 Crwys Road, Cathays. Councillor Lynda Thorne, Cabinet Member for Housing & Communities, outlined how the acquisition would support the council's commitment to delivering 4,000 new council homes and provide 60 affordable apartments for social rent, alongside a new community centre for Cathays Community Centre. Officers presented details of the turnkey acquisition model, which would involve the council acquiring the freehold of the completed development. The total capital funding was estimated at £21.5 million, assuming Welsh Government subsidy. A significant funding gap of between £400,000 and £900,000 for the community centre was noted, with officers confident in finding alternative funding sources. Members sought clarification on the size of the community centre space, with assurances that the community group was content with the proposed larger space, which would increase the funding gap. Concerns were raised about the potential for the community centre to end up with a smaller space if funding could not be secured, and the committee agreed to request clarification on the space size and whether it had been finalised. The committee also noted concerns around the lack of certainty regarding Welsh Government grants.

Q4 Performance Reports Adults, Housing and Communities

The committee reviewed the Q4 performance reports for Adults, Housing and Communities. Cabinet Member for Social Services, Councillor Norma Mackie, highlighted work to reduce health inequalities, including smoking cessation programmes, vaccination drop-ins, and dementia prevention initiatives. Cabinet Member for Housing & Communities, Councillor Lynda Thorne, presented updates on homelessness services, noting that 82% of clients were prevented from becoming homeless, although 9,000 households remained on the housing waiting list. She also highlighted improvements in repair rates and responses to damp and mould. Members discussed the ongoing housing emergency, with the Cabinet Member explaining that it would continue until demand pressures were met and accommodation was readily available. The committee welcomed the reduced reliance on hotels for homeless families and single people. Concerns were raised about the impact of extreme weather on vulnerable residents, and the Cabinet Members assured the committee that this was a high priority, with existing protocols and agile service delivery in place. The committee agreed to request further information on the percentage of benefit claimants who were working versus unemployed.

Update on Responsive Repairs Improvement Plan and Gypsy and Traveller Site Issues

The committee received an update on the Responsive Repairs Unit and Gypsy and Traveller sites. Officers reported that all recommendations from the Ombudsman's report into the Responsive Repairs Unit had been completed, including an audit of records which identified 43 cases significantly affected by service issues, resulting in £11,100 in redress payments. The Repairs Improvement Plan has led to a reduction in unallocated work and improved performance in emergency and priority urgent repair categories. Damp and mould cases remain a pressure, but outstanding jobs have reduced due to the Dry Homes Team and new technology. Customer service improvements include updated procedures for tenants with special circumstances and a new landlord services complaints team. A new specialist IT system for repairs is planned for full delivery by December 2027.

Regarding Gypsy and Traveller sites, officers detailed the findings of an Ombudsman investigation into the Rover Way site, which highlighted failings in meeting housing need, overcrowding, the condition of utility blocks, electricity purchasing difficulties, and repair delays. The council had failed to meet its Housing (Wales) Act 2014 duty, with a need for 73 additional pitches over five years identified. Significant progress is being made, with the purchase of land for a new site expected to deliver 70 new pitches. Refurbishment of utility blocks is underway, and a new prepayment metering system for electricity and water has been installed. Overcrowding remains an issue, with a risk assessment in place to ensure resident safety. The committee sought clarification on lessons learned and the reasons for the reduction in planned pitches at Shirenewton.

Scrutiny Annual Report 2025/26

The committee approved the draft Scrutiny Annual Report 2025/26 for submission to Council. The report highlights the committee's work over the past year, including its inquiry into the access and experience of adult social care services for older ethnic minority communities, its scrutiny of the Responsive Repairs Unit following an Ombudsman report, and its review of the Migrant Worker Charter. The report also details the committee's monitoring of performance reports for Adults, Housing and Communities, and its consideration of the Neurodivergent Friendly Cardiff Strategy. The committee also received an update on the Violence Prevention Strategy in its role as the Crime & Disorder Scrutiny Committee.

The committee agreed to write to the relevant Cabinet Members to convey their observations on the Local Authority Social Services Annual Report and the update on Responsive Repairs and Gypsy and Traveller site issues. The next meeting is scheduled for 14 September 2026.