The Community and Adult Services Scrutiny Committee met on 20 April 2026 to discuss the re-commissioning of adult social care home placements and the management of empty council homes. Key decisions included the agreement to forward observations on the adult social care commissioning project to the Cabinet Member and a request for further information on the reasons for long-term void properties.

Overview of the Wider Adult Services Commissioning Project

The committee received an update on the ongoing project to re-commission care home placements for older people. This project aims to move away from the current Dynamic Approved Provider List (DAPL) system, which has been criticised for its administrative burden and lack of provider engagement, towards a new Framework Arrangement . This new model will operate on a city-wide basis, with a framework-first approach, meaning providers on the framework will be prioritised for all placements.

Key elements of the proposed framework include:

• Clear care categories and definitions: Including enhanced and specialist provision to better reflect the diverse needs of residents.
• Fixed pricing structure: Developed through cost analysis and engagement with care home providers, aiming to provide greater predictability and sustainability.
• Quality assurance: Providers will undergo a rigorous assessment process before joining the framework, with ongoing monitoring and the use of Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) ratings as a key indicator.
• Service user choice: Providers will not be ranked, and allocation will be based on service user choice from a list of suitable providers with vacancies.
• Open framework: Allowing new providers to join at scheduled refresh points to ensure a dynamic and responsive market.

The committee discussed the proposed fee model, which includes standard rates, enhanced care pricing on a sliding scale, and a potential time-limited settling-in rate for new admissions. Concerns were raised about the potential for enhanced rates to be extended unnecessarily, and officers confirmed that robust monitoring and review processes would be in place.

The consultation process for this project was also discussed, with a commitment to engage with diverse communities, including those who may not identify as unpaid carers but still provide care. The committee requested that the council provide a list of community groups consulted during a previous task and finish group to inform future engagement.

A request was made for further information regarding the gap between published rates and actual costs paid for care home placements, and the reasons behind the significant number of placements not being commissioned at the published rate. The committee also noted the upcoming Cabinet report in July 2026 and the need to consider pre-decision scrutiny of the draft commissioning policy or strategy before Cabinet makes its final decision.

Overview of Empty Cardiff Council Homes

The committee received a briefing on the management of empty council homes, also known as voids . The Voids Management Unit plays a crucial role in ensuring that council homes are returned to use quickly, safely, and to the highest standards, balancing the need to minimise void periods with the requirement to complete essential works.

The presentation highlighted the mixed delivery model used for void management, with one-third of work undertaken by an in-house team and two-thirds by external contractors. The process for void properties includes pre-works, pre-inspection (within 24 hours of pre-works), and the completion of all identified works until the property is ready for re-let.

Key performance data was presented, showing a reduction in the overall average time to re-let a standard property, from 105.78 days in January 2025 to 78.11 days in February 2026. The percentage of empty standard stock has also remained low, close to or below 1% for most of the year.

The main reasons for tenancies ending and properties becoming empty were identified as the tenant passing away (31%), followed by notice to quit given by the tenant (30%), and being rehoused or transferred to another Cardiff Council property (24%). The average length of tenancy before a property becomes empty is 14 years, with properties having longer tenancies often requiring more work.

The committee discussed the challenges of managing void properties, including the complexity of works required for older, long-standing tenancies and the impact of new Welsh Housing Quality Standards (WHQS) requirements. They also raised concerns about the capacity of contractors and the potential for delays in the Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF) payments for new tenants.

A specific request was made for further information on the number of properties that have been void for over six months and the reasons for these long-term voids. Officers confirmed that this information could be provided in a future meeting.

Committee Business

The committee reviewed the draft pages for the Community & Adult Services Scrutiny Committee's Annual Report for 2025/26. Members agreed to add the commissioning of domiciliary care and care homes to the list of priorities for pre-decision scrutiny in the 2026/27 work programme.