Cyngor Gwynedd Council - Age Friendly...?

The dementia update by cyngor Gwynedd is grim -
'...it is difficult to know exactly how many people are living with the condition. There are national
studies that estimate the proportion of the population of different age groups with the condition, and based on that it can be estimated that there are 2,049 individuals with dementia in Gwynedd, representing 1.67% of the population (122,864). Daffodil Cymru research predicts that the number of people over 65 in Gwynedd with dementia will increase from 2,018 in 2020 to 3,085 in 2040; a 35% increase in twenty years.

The 35% increase is incorrect and should read 52% - an apology was given. Whilst the figures are concerning the data is not specific to Gwynedd and its aged population.

The update also contains a table which highlights care homes offering specialist dementia support -
https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru//documents/s37698/Support%20for%20Individuals%20with%20Dementia%20in%20Gwynedd.pdf

The number of these beds is recorded as 84 - but the report continues -
'Across six of our care homes we will have 84 specialist dementia beds, which is 26% of the total number of beds we have across the county. Please note that not all of these beds are in use yet. Understaffing has meant that we have been unable to open 9 specialist dementia beds in Bryn Blodau, Llan Ffestiniog. In addition, in relation to a total of 14 beds, the units at Hafod Mawddach and Plas Hedd are yet to be completed.'

So not 84 beds...Is 61 more accurate? Less?
The crisis in Gwynedd social care services has been building for many years. The former Director of SS rang the alarm bell during her tenure even asking for ideas at one meeting.

So what is the reality for those with dementia and their families? The husband/wife will usually be the main caregiver and they will be exhausted. They will be dealing with medication, food and toileting. Some of their loved ones will be 'sundowning' - increased anxiety when darkness falls - and sleep patterns go out of the window. All this and no support...

There is no support for OAP's either. Frail elderly have been leaving hospital without a care package in place. No home help getting in/out of bed, no help with washing, dressing and meals. This domiciliary care has tradionally been used to keep the elderly and vulnerable safe in their own homes instead of a hospital or care setting.

The Gwynedd Adults Population Needs Assessment gives more information -
https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru//documents/s37696/Appendix%201%20Gwynedd%20Adults%20Population%20Needs%20Assessment%202022-2027.pdf

This document also mentions direct payments and developing their use -
The intention is to review our arrangements for Direct Payments and make it easier for people to access funding...
We need to promote the use of Direct Payments, simplify the process around it and develop
arrangements that make it easier to establish DP arrangements in an emergency.

In a past meeting, one officer admitted to problems with the private company the council employ to process direct payments and people are not receiving the available funding. Why the council use a private company was not revealed - the council's webcasts are also contracted out... 

The council believe that new technology and robots are the answer and inform of heavy investment in this area. One officer mentioned robots roaming the Gwynedd countryside - more like flying pigs...

 

 

 

 

 

Training Fact Check - Cyngor Gwynedd Council.

Cyngor Gwynedd Care Scrutiny Committee met on the 20th April, 2023, to hear progress on the autism plan.

Councillor Gwynfor Owen asked the senior operational manager, Aled Gibbard, if the training of staff had taken place yet. The officer did not give a simple yes or no but rambled on about e-modules for staff (created by the National Autistic Team) and that over 300 people have viewed the video.
So no - the Councillor retorted.

The senior operational manager appears to have forgotten the 'intense training' that senior officers put forward as evidence in an Ombudsman's investigation. The original recommendation agreed to was -
81 (f) Reviews its process on monitoring commissioned services for adults.
(g) Undertakes a review of its ASD procedures, specifically those for adults and children with high functioning ASD, and ensure that the requirements of the SSWA 2014, MHM 2010 and ASD SAP have been met.
(h) Undertakes an audit of its ASD trained officers, identifies any shortfall and arranges appropriate training within the following 12 months.

When the Ombudsman followed up with the council to check compliance with its orders, the senior officers informed -
Further to the request below for information, here’s the latest information we have about the situation in terms of the ASD service. There has been no specific review, but intense training has been undertaken in the subject (and in the plans).I have prepared an answer below. You are welcome to pass this forward, by also explaining that no specific review has yet taken place.

"The staff delivering Learning Disability services are acutely aware of the increasing need for timely and effective provision of high quality services for people living with ASD. We have implemented an extensive training and awareness programme as evidenced by the Training Unit. In addition, we are proactive members of the North Wales Integrated Autism Service (details attached). We have also begun work to establish a new team within the Learning Disability service which will be taking a preventative approach to service delivery, with effective ASD provision being an integral part." 

Even though this 'intensive training' was not autism specific the Ombudsman accepted this as a 'variance' and only then closed the investigation. A reminder that this case 201700388 was featured in the Ombudsman's hall of shame casebook - Equality and Human Rights 2019/20.

Cyngor Gwynedd had even posted details of this 'extensive training and awareness programme' on its website - but removed it soon after the Ombudsman received a critique of the officers 'evidence' after a Freedom of Information request revealed the disconnect with reality. Luckily for officers, the Ombudsman does not reopen cases - even after new evidence is provided.

Something is very wrong within Gwynedd council - the problem is the senior officers.

 

Autism And Dementia Support Update - Cyngor Gwynedd Council.

As if by magic, Cyngor Gwynedd have now added an Employment Appeals Committee to its calendar. The meeting will take place on Friday, 21st April, 2023 at 9.00 am. The agenda is yet to be published.

The Care Scrutiny Committee meet on the 20th April. The agenda includes the overdue update on the council's autism plan. Some members of the committee will remember the Senior Operational Manager, Aled Gibbard, launching the 'innovative' plan in the 2021 meeting.

Full Minutes of the Autism Strategy from the 2021 meeting can be found here -
https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/mgAi.aspx?ID=22140
An excerpt -
'The Cabinet Member elaborated on the content of the report noting that this Plan was one of the Council's improvement priority projects, namely to ensure that Families and Children with autism had access to the support they needed to thrive...'
'It was added that work on the Plan had continued during the recent difficult period and the opportunity was taken to thank Council Officers for their work along with other partners including the Health Board'

There was a high number of councillors absent from that meeting including apologies from the Head of childrens SS and the Cabinet member for Adults. The former Chair of the committee was clear to point out to Mr Gibbard the department's long standing failure to support autism services. Other observations included -
'It was enquired whether the number of people with the condition was increasing. It was also stated that it would have been useful to see more input from families during the consultation. It was suggested that regular feedback should be received from service users and their families in order to review whether or not this Plan had improved their experiences...'

The updated report contains no data...
The link to the updated report can be found here - https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru//documents/s37702/UPDATE%20ON%20THE%20GWYNEDD%20AUTISM%20PLAN.pdf

Under Staffing Update - the officers write that the previous 'innovative' plan had 'originally included the appointment of a co-ordinator and transition age social worker..'
Note 'originally'.This post was a specific requirement of the 2020 Hugh Morgan OBE Review. The post has been paid for, after all.

The update report continues - An Autism Practice Lead has now been appointed and will take up her role in May 2023. This post will co-ordinate the development of Autism services in Gwynedd and will act as the line manager for the other posts. The Social Worker post has been advertised for the second time, with no applicants responding to the first advertisement. Interviews for the post are currently being arranged. The Key Worker posts are due to be advertised shortly...

It mentions that one SW job was advertised but had no candidates - the report fails to mention that the permanent position was originally advertised as a 4 year, temporary position. No wonder there was no response.

A copy of the Hugh Morgan review into Gwynedd autism services can be found here -  https://gwyneddsfailingcouncil.blogspot.com/2021/04/finally-gwynedd-councils-autism-report.html 

With the senior officers accepting the recommendations of the review this also re-assured the Ombudsman for Wales who was looking into non compliance from another investigation. Councillors will remember the Ombudsman's 'outrage' with the council and the summoning of the former CEO to Cardiff to personally apologise for the failings.

The council have not yet employed the staff - and appear to be sitting on the funding.
Just smoke and mirrors...

The Cabinet Member for Adults is to also update the Committee on dementia support. The report is...bad and shows the deep crisis in Gwynedd. Did the embargo on care homes affect dementia placements too? So many questions and a member that has refused to answer to the Committee in the past. It is not looking good for the elderly...

That report can be found here - https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru//documents/s37698/Support%20for%20Individuals%20with%20Dementia%20in%20Gwynedd.pdf

Concerns For Safety - Cyngor Gwynedd (But Whose Safety?)

The minutes presented to cyngor Gwynedd planning committee on the 20th March, 2023, were challenged by its own Councillors.

At the previous planning meeting, a recorded vote was asked for due to the controversial decision to refuse an application. The recorded vote was absent from the minutes.
One Councillor was not recorded as attending the meeting when they had attended and another Councillor pointed out the lack of detail in the english translated minutes. The lack of information could effect any legal appeal if referring to the english version only.

The webcast can be found here -
https://gwynedd.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/760497

In other news, Councillor Louise Hughes recently spoke to the Daily Post with regard to the reporting of a council meeting that debated the Relationship and Education Curriculum and ended with police being called. Councillor Hughes challenged the narrative of a near riot and said that concerns for officer/member safety were 'over-egged.'

"As far as I’m concerned, there was no physical danger to the councillors or to anyone. There was no violence or threats, certainly no need to bring the police in. I've seen much rowdier meetings when we discussed the closure of our small village schools. If we can’t have robust or opposing debate during council meetings, then what is the point of local democracy?"
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/concerns-over-safety-gwynedd-sex-26535355

The council's 'concerns for safety' are simply an excuse to dilute its duties under the new law - Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021. Scrutiny and public participation are not welcomed by senior officers of this council. Whilst Welsh government is trying to make councils more open cyngor Gwynedd appear as closed as ever...

All this coincides with the disappearance of the Employment Appeals Committee from the council's calendar. Is an appeal due...?

Will this have anything to do with the employees rumoured to have been suspended for nearly 10 years? As so much time has passed, the officers will be confident of no legal comeback due to time restraints on reporting. The investigation has been completed and the executive officers with reponsiblities at the time have recently left the council. 

With all this going on behind closed doors it was no surprise to find that someone had made a complaint about Councillor Hughes.

A meeting of Gwynedd Standards Committee will be held on the 18th, April, 2023.
From the agenda -
Following a complaint that Councillor Louise Hughes had breached the code of conduct for members of Gwynedd Council, the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales decided to conduct an investigation. The Ombudsman concluded that the matter should be referred to the Monitoring Officer for consideration by the Standards Committee.
https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru//documents/s500008403/Cover%20Report.pdf

Something is very wrong within cyngor Gwynedd...

 

 

Cyngor Gwynedd Monitoring Officer Calls For Consistency Re Planning Decisions.

Cyngor Gwynedd Planning Committee met on Monday, 27th February 2023 at 1:00pm
The webcast cab be found here -
https://gwynedd.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/751721

Councillors threw out a planning application against the advice of planning officers...

The application is for Tyn Lon Afonwen Pwllheli Gwynedd LL53 6TX to establish a touring caravan site (19 unit) with toilet block and associated works.
https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru//documents/s37238/Tyn%20Ln%20Afonwen%20Pwllheli%20Gwynedd%20LL53%206TX.pdf

Objections included over development of sites in the area and that it would be detrimental to the Welsh language. The question of over development was batted away by officers reiterating that it was not a site for static caravans and no evidence was presented of damage to the language. Still, seven councillors voted to refuse...

Both the monitoring officer and the planning officer compared a similar application from last year (in an area of outstanding beauty) that committee passed against the direction of the planning department and consistency was asked for. The monitoring officer stated the application was fully in line with council policy and warned the decision to refuse could incur costs to the council if the applicant appealed....