5. Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services: Powys County Council — Update on Support under the Local Government Measure 2009

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:16 pm on 1 May 2018.

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Photo of Russell George Russell George Conservative 4:16, 1 May 2018

Diolch, Deputy Presiding Officer. Can I thank the Cabinet Secretary for his statement this afternoon? Can I also thank and put on record my thanks to Huw Irranca-Davies and his predecessor Rebecca Evans for being very open to providing briefings for relevant Members and keeping us updated, following the inspection of Powys children's services? Also, I appreciate the Cabinet Secretary's offer, as well, to meet for a briefing. I appreciate that. It's also encouraging, I think, that Powys County Council themselves have provided the opportunity for briefings for Assembly Members with regard to the recent issues.

I am pleased to learn that the actions seem to already be taking place by the local authority to implement the recommendations, and that the leadership of the council seem to be positively taking forward the recommendations in a transparent and positive way.

You stated, Cabinet Secretary, or you started your statement, by referring to the Care Inspectorate Wales report published today, which highlights areas of significant concern for Powys to address with regard to adult services. I was pleased, looking at that, that it does highlight the fact that the morale of staff has been boosted now. That wasn't the case some time ago, so I think that's positive. Can I ask you: how are you going to measure the improvements that the local authority are required to make? Ultimately, improved outcomes will determine, of course, whether adult services are sufficient enough to no longer need such a high level of intervention from Welsh Government. So, could you outline some specific targets for improvements and clarify what work is currently being undertaken with Powys to develop these?

The report published today also repeatedly highlights the fact that the workforce delivering adult services has a high sickness and absence rate, high turnover and inconsistent levels of supervision. So, I wonder what role the Welsh Government will play in establishing a workforce strategy that is able to build strength in the workforce and deliver a timely, informed and effective service.

You have congratulated Mohammed Mehmet on his appointment as the interim chief executive. It's my understanding he's the acting chief executive, rather than the interim—if you could clarify that. But I have picked up myself very positive feedback on his appointment. You referred, yourself, to his track record in your statement. Are you confident that the new chief exec or the acting chief exec is the correct appointment? It perhaps would be useful to know, as well, what the recruitment process is—what Welsh Government's role is in that recruitment process.

Finally, do you recognise that, in order to build capacity and to ensure that these improvements are lasting, that stability to the political landscape is important? Therefore, do you agree with me that the proposals in the Green Paper on the local government reform to preserve Powys as a single local authority on the same footprint as the health board contributes to the stability and gives that best possible chance for lasting improvements to be made?