The Community & Adult Services Scrutiny Committee met to discuss direct payments, performance reports, winter planning for homelessness, and correspondence. The committee agreed to write to the cabinet member to convey their observations and made recommendations to improve direct payment safeguarding and to build stronger relationships between housing and faith groups.

Direct Payments

The committee received an update on the progress of direct payment proposals, which enable service users to commission their own care. Jane Thomas, Director for Adult Services, Housing and Communities, explained that direct payments allow service users to arrange their own care instead of receiving a package arranged by the council. Tom Hughes, Programme Manager for Community Catalyst, noted that micro-enterprises are small businesses that deliver care and support, giving local people more choice and control.

The committee discussed the following:

• Micro-enterprise access: Councillor Bablin Molik, Chair of the Committee, noted that there were 57 customers in Cardiff accessing micro-enterprises, with about 3,060 hours of support provided a week.
• Safeguarding: Councillor Margaret Lewis sought clarity on safeguarding training and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for micro-enterprises, and was told that both are mandatory. Concerns were raised about the potential for misuse of direct payments, particularly with personal assistants (PAs).
• Contingency plans: Councillor Peter Littlechild asked what happens if a micro-enterprise worker is sick. Mr Hughes explained that enterprises would work with customers to create a contingency plan, and a micro-enterprise broker is employed by the council to find alternatives.
• Service user responsibility: Councillor Lewis asked about the process for resolving issues with service delivery. Ms Thomas clarified that service users are responsible for organising their own care and can end contracts with micro-enterprises.
• Training: The committee discussed whether additional training qualifications could be made mandatory, such as manual handling. It was suggested that requirements could be identified on a case-by-case basis.
• Age range: Councillor Littlechild was surprised at the lower age range of direct payment users. Ms Thomas explained that direct payments often work well for people with physical disabilities.
• Payment sufficiency: The committee discussed whether the hourly payments were sufficient for micro-enterprises. Mr Hughes stated that most enterprises in Cardiff charge the direct payment rate, which covers the risk of being self-employed.

The committee made the following recommendations:

• Review the frequency of care package reviews for PAs, suggesting a move to six-monthly reviews.
• Ensure essential training needs are reviewed on a case-by-case basis for PAs.

Quarter Two Performance Reports

The committee scrutinised the quarter two performance reports for adult services, housing and communities. Councillor Peter Bradbury, Cabinet Member for Tackling Poverty and Supporting Young People, highlighted the work of advice teams in assisting over 5,000 people. Councillor Julie Sangani, Cabinet Member for Adult Services and Public Health and Equality, noted work with Public Health Wales to reduce health inequalities. Councillor Leonora Thomson, Cabinet Member for Adult Services and Public Health and Equality, acknowledged that some data was incomplete due to the introduction of a new information management system. Councillor Lynda Thorne, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, highlighted reduced reliance on hotels for homeless people. Councillor Lee Bridgeman, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, reported that hubs across Cardiff continued to grow.

The committee discussed the following:

• Disabled adaptations: Councillor Mary McGarry suggested splitting disabled adaptations into short-term and long-term categories. Councillor Oliver Owen asked for more detailed information on adaptation times.
• Joint Equipment Service: Councillor McGarry asked for an update on the Joint Equipment Service warehouse. Ms Thomas stated that the project was underway and would be delivered alongside housing.
• Move-on options: Councillor Lewis asked about move-on options for those in temporary accommodation. Ms Thorne explained that there were managed schemes for single people and new builds for families.
• Online library: Councillor Lewis asked about the online library. Councillor Bridgeman explained that there was a data issue with the management system.
• Repairs online: Councillor Lewis asked about repairs online. Ms Thomas stated that a new system was needed to join up all the different systems.
• Age-Friendly City: Councillor Molik asked about the connection between consultations with older people and target setting. The cabinet members explained that there were some things which did not appear in their list of key performance indicators (KPIs) because they were not directly responsible for them.
• Voids: Councillor Lewis asked about the take up of voids. Ms Thorne stated that the number of voids that they had within council stock was incredibly low.

The committee made the following recommendations:

• Include more information on the grow your own stats specifically in performance reports.
• Acknowledge in the report and pass on the message that older people have said that transport and toilets are important to them, even if it is not within their cabinet portfolio.
• Councillor McGarry requested more information on the shipping containers at the bottom of Bute Street.

Winter Planning and Support for those with No Recourse to Public Funds

The committee received an update on winter planning and support for those with no recourse to public funds (NRPF). Matthew Evans, Operational Manager for Supporting Accommodation, presented the winter plan. Adam Rees, CEO of the Huggard¹, also made a statement. The committee discussed the following:

• Salvation Army statement: Councillor Molik referred to a statement from the Salvation Army, which raised concerns about the lack of support for those with no recourse to public funds or a local connection.
• Huggard challenges: Councillor Littlechild asked Mr Rees about the biggest challenges for the Huggard. Mr Rees stated that the challenges were accentuating the positive, breaking the cycle of homelessness, and public perception.
• Church provision: Councillor McGarry asked why church provision did not start at the beginning of November. Ms Thorne explained that it was due to the commitment required from volunteers.
• Police protection: Councillor McGarry asked about police protection for volunteers in night shelters. Mr Evans stated that the police were on hand if required.
• Faith engagement: Councillor Molik asked if other faiths were involved in the engagement program. Ms Thorne stated that representatives from all faiths were invited, but the churches were the only ones that attended.
• Storms and flooding: Councillor Lewis asked if storms and flooding were included in the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP). Ms Thorne stated that storms and flooding would fall under SWEP, but wider issues would be picked up more corporately.
• Duty of care: Councillor Molik wanted to clarify that the council had a duty of care towards those who have no recourse to public funds and no local connection. Ms Thorne stated that they tried to make sure that everybody was safe, but you cannot force people to engage.

The committee made the following recommendation:

• Build stronger relationships between housing and faith groups and a more targeted approach to a wider geographical remit.

Correspondence

The committee received a correspondence update. The chair noted a delay in responding to letters and asked what could be done to ensure responses came in a more timely manner. Allie Iftikhar, Principal Scrutiny Officer, stated that she would raise it with Gary and find out what else they could do to get those responses quicker with directors.