Eitem 4 ar ein hagenda yw Rheoliadau Trefniadau Partneriaeth (Cymru) (Diwygio) 2017. Galwaf ar y Gweinidog dros Wasanaethau Cymdeithasol ac Iechyd y Cyhoedd i gynnig y cynnig. Rebecca Evans.

Motion NDM6271 Jane Hutt

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales; in accordance with Standing Order 27.5

Approves that the draft The Partnership Arrangements (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 is made in accordance with the draft laid in the Table Office on 8 February 2017.

Motion moved.

Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I move the motion. The amendment regulations before you support the implementation of the Social Services and Well-being Act 2014. They relate to the functions in Part 2 of that Act concerning the production of area plans. Along with supporting statutory guidance, these were subject to a 12-week consultation, which closed on 3 October, to which there were 27 responses. A working draft of the statutory guidance has been published to inform scrutiny. Subject to approval, these regulations will come into force in April.

The Partnership Arrangements (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 are made under sections 166 and 167 of the Act. They amend the principal regulations, which require partnership arrangements to be established between local authorities and health boards under the direction of regional partnership boards. These amending regulations add section 14A area planning functions to the list of functions carried out by the partnership arrangements. Section 14A of the Act was inserted by the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. That Act replaced a number of planning duties with the new strategic well-being plans. However, Ministers agreed there remained a need for local authorities and health boards to plan specifically in relation to meeting people’s care and support needs, including the support needs of carers. Section 14A therefore places duties on local authorities and health boards to set out the actions they each need to take in response to the population assessment that they’re required to carry out. By adding section 14A area planning functions to the list of functions carried out by the partnership arrangements, these regulations support the production of joint area plans on the health board footprint, consistent with the population assessment. These will focus on integrated services in response to that assessment, and will set the agenda for regional partnership boards.

Separate Care and Support (Area Planning) (Wales) Regulations 2017 relating to the detail of area plans were laid on 27 January. Those are subject to the negative resolution process, scheduled to be completed by 1 April. Those regulations require the first area plans to be published by April 2018, one year after the first population assessment reports.

In response to stakeholder feedback, these regulations also amend the requirement for regional partnership boards to establish pooled funds. They require partnership boards to consider the appropriateness of establishing pooled funds when working jointly in response to the population assessment. This provides more discretion than the current requirement for the establishment of pooled funds for all functions exercised jointly.

Finally, these regulations include minor amendments to ensure integrated family support functions, including local authorities’ functions to provide for children and young people under Part 6 of the 2014 Act on Looked After and Accommodated Children, in addition to those assessed under Part 4. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Again, we have no speakers; therefore, the proposal is to agree the motion. Does any Member object? No. Therefore, the motion is agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Motion agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.