News

Councillors clueless on social care business plan

Published

6 years ago

November 30, 2018

“THE DIRECTOR of Social Services and Chief Executive are aware of it.”

That was the cryptic response of Pembrokeshire’s Cabinet Member for Finance Bob Kilmister when asked about the ‘business case’ the local health board has presented to the Welsh Government for the reorganisation of social care across the Health Board area.

The scheme, to merge some of the adult social care functions provided by local councils with the elderly medical care provided by the Board, is a cornerstone of the Board’s plans for the future of healthcare in west Wales and is supposed to be an example of partnership working.

Bob Kilmister wryly observed: “Whatever the plan is, the Welsh Government are reported to be in favour of it.”

There is considerable scepticism about the Board’s track record of financial mismanagement. Pembrokeshire County Council’s Director of Resources, Jon Haswell, expressed vigorous agreement with the proposition that trusting part of the Council’s already tight budget to the care of an organisation running in permanent deficit caused concern.

As the scheme is supposed to be an example of partnership working, it is equally peculiar that members of the political executive charged with implementing and carrying the can for it have been kept in the dark.

When the Board’s plans for social services were discussed at Carmarthenshire County Council in October, there was almost unanimous approval that the management of the social care scheme should be directly accountable and a significant number of councillors in favour of it being run as a discrete service with its own management structure.

At that point, Carmarthenshire’s Director of Social Services, Jake Morgan, was careful to describe the plans as the Health Board’s and suggested he was none the wiser about how social care would be structured other than through ‘partnership working’.

Only a few weeks later, a business case has gone to the Welsh Government.

There have been no briefings for elected members, no scrutiny before the business case’s submission, and what is supposed to be a partnership looks rather like the Board and the Welsh Government bouncing local authorities into a scheme into which their input has been, at best, limited.

On Monday, we asked Hywel Dda UHB about its social care plan.

We explained that we had noted the health board’s plans for greater cooperation with the social services departments of the 3 local authorities in the region. We also explained we knew that a business case to that end has been submitted to the Welsh Government for consideration.

We asked the Board to confirm that, in accordance with the principles of partnership working, all of the elected members of each local authority concerned had sight of the whole business case before its submission to the Welsh Government and that each local authority approved its content by reference to a meeting of all councillors.

We also asked what the plans’ impact would be on each local authority’s future social care budgets, what the proposed management structure was and what level of accountability it would have.

Our inquiries remained unanswered.

Not from any of the three local authorities to whom we posed that question and not from the Health Board.

The only answers we got were at the budget briefing for Pembrokeshire County Council when both the Director of Resources and Cabinet Member for Finance were refreshingly direct about their personal view of the prospects for partnership working with the Board.

Against the backdrop of the Board’s diverting interpretation of the word ‘partnership’, two of the three contenders to replace Carwyn Jones as Labour leader in Wales, Eluned Morgan and Vaughan Gething, have separately endorsed a wholesale reorganisation of social care into a National Care Service.

Such a service would be implemented and led by local government, in partnership with local health boards and third sector organisations they may wish to commission. The Welsh Government would oversee a national rollout of the provision and ensure that standards are met. The scheme would be funded by a social care levy and from savings to the NHS budget.

The fact that Councils would lead a National Care Service makes it doubly surprising that those covering West Wales have had such minimal input into the creation of a new care system there.

Business

Deposit Return Scheme diversion ‘illogical’ says Pembrokeshire brewery

Published

4 mins ago

November 23, 2024

Tom Sinclair

TENBY HARBOUR BREWERY and local Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz have urged the Welsh Government to reconsider its decision to withdraw from a UK-wide Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) due to its insistence on including glass.

Earlier this week, Climate Change Secretary Huw Irranca-Davies announced that the Welsh Government would no longer participate in the development of a UK-wide DRS, citing issues arising from the UK Internal Market Act 2020. This decision is believed to be influenced by the Welsh Government’s plan to include glass in its scheme—a factor that contributed to the collapse of Scotland’s DRS in 2023.

The move has been met with frustration and anger from numerous organisations, who argue that this divergence will increase costs for Welsh producers and consumers.

Commenting on the matter, Samuel Kurtz said: “This decision is deeply frustrating, and to diverge from a UK-wide scheme shows that it is not one made with the best interests of Welsh consumers and producers at its core.

“The UK market is so interlinked that any decision which places Welsh businesses at a competitive disadvantage should not proceed. These calls from a range of industry and business representatives have been ignored by the Welsh Government.

“For the sake of our businesses and consumers, I urge the Welsh Government to reconsider its decision, align itself with the UK-wide scheme, and provide proper support to Welsh businesses.”

Industries, especially the micro-brewery sector, would be especially hit hard in Wales by the Welsh Governments choice.

Speaking following this announcement, Richard Johnson, Head Brewer at Tenby Harbour Brewery said:

“The brewing industry has had to tread a path through covid lockdowns, energy price increases, a cost of living crisis and rising wage and national insurance bills, making it increasingly difficult for brewers get good returns and re-invest in their businesses.

“Wales is a recycling nation, so a blunt ‘one size fits all’ approach creates additional logistical and financial burdens on the smallest producers, when the very largest producers are generating the majority of the recycling demand.

“It also seems illogical to diverge away from a UK wide scheme which will put Welsh brewers and drinks producers at a disadvantage.

“The UK and Wales has a proud brewing heritage, but adding in measures such as DRS to small brewers means that their time and money are directed to these activities, instead of using their time for innovation and R&D, of which the UK brewing scene is known and revered for.”

Business

Bluestone crowned ‘Best Small Company for UK Parks and Lodge Holidays’

Published

7 mins ago

November 23, 2024

Tom Sinclair

BLUESTONE is celebrating a major win after being named the Best Small Company for UK Parks and Lodges Holidays at the prestigious British Travel Awards 2024.

The announcement was made at the prestigious awards ceremony this week, marking yet another significant achievement for the popular West Wales destination.

This award recognises Bluestone’s commitment to providing exceptional family holiday experiences at its 500-acre resort in the stunning Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

“We are absolutely thrilled to receive this award,” said Bethan Rees, Head of Marketing at Bluestone. “It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team, who create magical and memorable experiences for families all year round. We are incredibly grateful to every single one of our guests who voted for us and who choose to visit us year on year.

“When you look at the array of other finalists, the award demonstrates why we’re so proud of winning it. This is due to our continued investment, team, and commitment to environmentally sustainable tourism.”

This award builds on Bluestone’s impressive track record. It has consistently received high praise for its family-friendly facilities, commitment to sustainability, and dedication to providing outstanding customer service. Earlier this year, Bluestone was again recognised by Which? as one of the UK’s top holiday destinations and the best rated in Wales.

The British Travel Awards are the largest consumer-voted awards programme in the UK. Winning this award highlights Bluestone’s position as a leader in the family holiday market and reinforces its reputation as a top choice for unforgettable family getaways.

Bluestone, which employs over 800 people and is one of the largest employers in West Wales, is also committed to investing in its people and local community. It provides extensive training and development through its People Services team and the Bluestone Academy. In addition, it supports a wide range of local projects and initiatives through the Bluestone Foundation.

News

Multi-agency exercise at South Hook LNG Terminal

Published

36 mins ago

November 23, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A MULTI-AGENCY exercise is scheduled to take place at the South Hook LNG Terminal tomorrow (Sunday), between 8:00am and 3:00pm.

Local residents in the vicinity of the terminal have already been informed about the event. However, authorities wish to reassure the wider public that an increase in traffic and activity near the terminal is part of this pre-planned exercise.

The exercise is a routine collaboration among emergency services and stakeholders to ensure preparedness for potential scenarios.

Residents and commuters are thanked in advance for their understanding and cooperation.