The Social Care and Tackling Poverty Service Transformation Committee met on Monday 8 April 2024 to receive updates on the Enabling Communities Grant and the committee's annual report. The committee also reviewed its work plan for the past year.

Enabling Communities Grant

Mark Gosney, Commissioning Team Leader, and Anthony Richards, Poverty and Prevention Strategy and Development Manager, presented an update on the Enabling Communities Grant. This grant, launched on 1 November 2023, combined three funding streams: the Holiday Food scheme, Swansea Spaces, and COAST (Creating Opportunities Across Swansea Together). A total of £500,000 was allocated, with 264 applications received requesting £820,576. The funding panel approved 237 applications, totalling £497,281.72.

The grant successfully supported 237 projects, including those offering mental health support, social inclusion, additional learning needs support, and cultural activities. Councillors praised the officers for their swift work in distributing the funds, particularly in time for the Christmas period, and highlighted the significant positive impact on the community. Some feedback indicated that the timing of activities, particularly for older young people and those aged 50 and over, was not always suitable, with a preference for weekday provision. The report noted that while this was a one-off grant pot, funding is available for school holiday activities in 2024/25 through the Shared Prosperity Fund. A full evaluation report is expected by the end of April 2024.

Social Care & Tackling Poverty Service Transformation Committee Annual Report 2023-2024

Simon Jones, Social Services Strategy and Performance Improvement Officer, and David Howes, Director of Social Services, presented the committee's annual report for 2023-2024. The report summarised the committee's work programme, which focused on strategic priorities aligned with the council's corporate plan and transformation programmes. Key areas of work included the development of a corporate volunteering strategy, the Levelling Up and Enabling Communities initiatives, Special Guardianship Orders, the 'When I'm Ready' scheme for care leavers, short breaks for children with disabilities, the Tackling Poverty Strategy, and internal residential care.

The committee noted that this report would be amalgamated with those from other Service Transformation Committees and presented to the full Council. The report highlighted the committee's contribution to shaping future policy and service design through co-production and engagement with stakeholders.

Work Plan

The committee reviewed its work plan for 2023-2024. It was noted that one item remained outstanding and would be considered once the relevant transformation programmes had been refreshed for the next municipal year. The Chair thanked the officers and councillors for their contributions throughout the year.