Agenda and minutes

None.

The minutes of the previous meeting held 30^th January 2025 were agreed as a true and accurate record.

• The Committee asked that the Outcomes Monitoring Report reflects dates when items were requested and responses received.

a)    Officer presentation

b)    Committee questioning and discussion

c)     Formation of comments and recommendations

The Strategic Director for Social Services introduced the item to the Committee.

Members considered the report – to access a full recording of the discussion please refer to the Council’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5x3aEyc4To

Comments and Recommendations

• The Committee recommended including more detailed information about the role of credit unions in the final report. This should cover how credit unions can help residents manage their finances more effectively, avoid high-interest payday loans, and provide support for those struggling with Council Tax payments.

• The Committee recommended ensuring that all relevant departments within the Council are actively engaged with the Anti-Poverty Strategy.

• The Committee requested a progress report to be presented twice more before the end of this Council term and to include specific evidence of what has been achieved, how actions have been progressed, and any challenges faced. The report should also highlight any areas where the strategy has made a significant impact and outline plans for the next steps.

• The Committee requested including current data on deprivation levels in different wards of Newport. This data should be used to identify priority areas and target interventions more effectively. The Committee felt that by understanding where the greatest needs are, the Council can allocate resources more efficiently and measure the impact of the strategy over time.

• The Committee recommended that the final report uses clear and accessible language. Where acronyms or technical language are used, such as the Marmot Principles, a full explanation should be provided.

• The Committee recommended strengthening the Action Plan by including more detailed actions related to homelessness. This should cover both prevention and support for those who are already homeless or in temporary accommodation. Specific actions could include increasing access to affordable housing, providing support services for those in temporary accommodation, and working with partners to address the root causes of homelessness.

• The Committee requested that the service area considered creating dedicated contact points for residents seeking support, such as a dedicated phone line.
• The Committee requested for the Head of Housing and Communities to approach Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) to establish what information they have in relation to households in poverty in Newport.

• The Committee suggested officers invite representatives from the RSLs to attend the next Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee meeting on the 24th April 2025, where the Corporate Safeguarding report will be considered, to discuss potential actions they can take to assist in corporate safeguarding efforts.

a) Actions Arising (Appendix 1)

b) Forward Work Programme Update (Appendix 2)

c) Outcomes Monitoring (Appendix 3)

1. Actions Arising

The Scrutiny Advisor updated the Committee on the Actions table and informed Committee that they are looking at what recommendations are implemented by the Cabinet Members and capturing the reasons if not.

2. Forward Work Programme

The Scrutiny Advisor informed the Committee that the Draft Forward Work Programme will be presented at the next meeting, where any potential changes or additions can be made.

3. Outcomes Monitoring

The Scrutiny Advisor updated the Committee on the Outcomes table.

• The Committee raised a concern that there are a number of actions are still outstanding before the recommendations from this meeting are added therefore increasing the number of outstanding actions. The Scrutiny Adviser advised the Committee that the outstanding actions would be chased for officers to complete