The Safeguarding, Communities and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee/Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Committee of Wrexham Council met on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. The meeting saw the appointment of Councillor Mark Jones as the new chair, discussions on the work programme for the upcoming months, and a detailed report on unpaid carers in Wrexham.

Appointment of Chair

Councillor Mark Jones was appointed as the new chair of the committee, succeeding Councillor Derek Wright. The decision was made following a vote among committee members, with Councillor Jones taking over immediately.

Work Programme

The committee reviewed and agreed on the work programme for the upcoming months. Key items include:

• The Social Care Budget scheduled for October 2024.
• Reports on Child Poverty and Unpaid Carers to be discussed in June 2024.
• Updates from the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) and the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust (WAST) scheduled for July 2024.

Unpaid Carers Report

The committee received a comprehensive report on unpaid carers in Wrexham, presented by John Pritchard. The report highlighted the invaluable role of unpaid carers and detailed the ongoing work to support both adult and young carers. Key initiatives include the Unpaid Carers Roadshow, the Unpaid Carer Survey, and the Employers for Carers membership. The report also outlined future plans and projects aimed at supporting unpaid carers.

Alwyn Jones emphasized the importance of supporting young carers, noting the essential role of the contract with Credly in providing young carers with opportunities to be children and enjoy their youth. The committee discussed various aspects of respite care, the importance of peer-to-peer support, and the need for better engagement with those not already connected to services.

Child Poverty Report

Councillor Rob Walsh presented an information report on child poverty in Wrexham, based on a topic request form submitted by Councillors Derek Wright and Malcolm King. The report revealed that nearly 27% of children in Wrexham live in poverty, with significant negative consequences for their health, development, and educational attainment. The report also highlighted the ongoing work to support affected families and the challenges posed by reductions in key grants.

The committee discussed the need for a coordinated approach across various departments to tackle child poverty effectively. Councillor Wright proposed setting up a task and finish group to review the leadership of the anti-poverty strategy and consult with relevant stakeholders. The committee agreed to explore this proposal further and discuss it at the next meeting.

Play Sufficiency Duty Update

The committee received an update on the Local Authority’s Play Sufficiency Duty, including the Play Sufficiency Action Plan 2023/24. The report highlighted the importance of play opportunities for children, especially in areas with high levels of deprivation. The committee discussed the challenges in securing funding for play schemes like the Gwenfro Valley play scheme and emphasized the need for core funding to sustain these initiatives.

Childcare Sufficiency Assessment Update

The committee reviewed a report on the progress against the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment (CSA) Action Plan. The report highlighted the stability of childcare supply in Wrexham compared to other local authorities and the ongoing efforts to secure funding and support for childcare providers. The committee discussed the challenges faced by the childcare sector, including funding cuts and the need for innovative solutions to ensure sustainability.

For more details, you can refer to the minutes of the meeting and the public reports pack.