Here's a summary of the Community and Adult Services Scrutiny Committee meeting held by Cardiff Council on 13 October 2025:

The committee convened to discuss the Local Authority Social Services Annual Report, the Housing Support Programme Commissioning Plan, and council house repairs. Members agreed to forward their comments and observations on the Social Services Annual Report and the Housing Support Programme to the cabinet.

• Local Authority Social Services Annual Report (LASAR)

  • The committee reviewed the Local Authority Social Services Annual Report, focusing on adult services. Councillor Leonora Thomson, Cabinet Member for Adult Services and Public Health and Equality, presented the report, highlighting key achievements and challenges.
  • Councillor Oliver Owen raised concerns about the 30% of residents not satisfied with adult social care, and officers clarified that expectations sometimes exceeded available resources.
  • Councillor Mary McGarry noted an overspend in commissioned care offset by underspending on internal services and questioned the impact of new recruitment on the budget. Officers clarified that there was no significant overspend.
  • The committee discussed day services for older people, carers' assessments, domiciliary care, and the social care workforce, including the role of migrant workers.
  • Members requested additional data on waiting lists for complex learning disabilities day services, ethnic minority access to care homes and nursing provision, and a breakdown of frontline vs. administrative staff.
  • The committee requested more information on the training of trusted assessors[^1] and the number of carer assessments offered versus completed.
  • The committee requested that the complaints team attend a future meeting to discuss their processes.
  • The committee requested that the ethnic minority breakdown of those accessing care homes nursing provision be brought to a future meeting. [^1]: Trusted assessors are professionals, often occupational therapists, who are qualified to assess care needs and prescribe care packages.

• Housing Support Programme Commissioning Plan

  • The committee reviewed the Housing Support Programme Commissioning Plan. Councillor Lynda Thorne, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, introduced the plan, which aims to prevent homelessness and support independent living.
  • Laura Garvey-Cubbon, Operational Manager for Partnership and Joint Commissioning, presented the details of the phased recommissioning plan, which includes floating support services, hostels, and VAWDASV services.
  • Councillor Peter Littlechild sought assurances on maintaining service standards across different providers. Officers explained the robust contract monitoring methods in place.
  • The committee sought clarification that the third sector would still be delivering the services.
  • Councillor Margaret Lewis raised concerns about residents transferred out of the area losing their place on the housing transfer list. Officers clarified the policy regarding temporary vs. permanent moves.
  • Councillor McGarry asked about the procurement process and the weighting of quality over price. Officers confirmed that quality was prioritised.
  • The committee discussed the shift in housing need from families to single individuals and the reasons behind it.
  • Councillor Owen raised concerns about clustering individuals with substance misuse issues and ensuring trauma-informed care. Officers outlined the approach to substance misuse services and trauma-informed practices.
  • The committee requested further information on the number of in-house housing units compared to externally provided units, and clarification on the 38% disengagement rate among young people using the young person's gateway.
  • The committee requested that the policy on tenants who have to leave the country for extended periods be reviewed.

• Council House Repairs

  • The committee reviewed the Council House Repairs Policy. Councillor Thorne introduced the item, and officers presented an update on the Direct Responsive Repairs Unit (DRU) improvement plan.
  • Jane Thomas, Director for Adults, Housing and Communities, and Naomi Thomas, Voids Manager, presented the update, outlining background issues, immediate actions taken, and ongoing work to improve coordination, productivity, customer communication, and responses to damp and mould cases.
  • Councillor Owen asked about the efficiency of the service and how cases were planned geographically. Officers explained the digital scheduling system used.
  • Councillor Littlechild asked about measuring council staff performance against private contractors and addressing complaints about the time jobs take. Officers clarified the standard minute values used and the importance of communication.
  • Councillor McGarry asked about the possibility of reporting repairs via the internet or an app. Officers explained the challenges with current systems.
  • Councillor Ali Ahmed asked about timelines for addressing reported faults and the reasons for residents refusing entry. Officers clarified the timelines for emergency, urgent, and routine repairs and expressed uncertainty about the reasons for refusal of entry.
  • The committee requested more information on the number of cases that had reached the Ombudsman and the reasons for a specific case being made public.
  • The committee discussed the increase in properties under the council's care and whether the maintenance team was matching this growth. Officers explained the work being done to assess the investment needed for new properties.
  • The committee discussed the workforce and the challenges of recruiting skilled tradespeople. Officers outlined the work being done with colleges and the Repairs Academy.
  • The committee discussed the level of satisfaction with the time it took to start work and the steps being taken to improve this.
  • The committee requested that the results of the next tenant satisfaction survey be shared.
  • The committee requested more information from the ombudsman.

• Other Business

  • The committee agreed to hold its next meeting on 17 November at 4:30pm.
  • The committee moved into a closed session to discuss confidential items.