Meetings

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

4.1 The paper was noted.

4.1 The papers were noted.

3.1 The papers were noted.

3.1 The paper was noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The paper was noted and it was agreed the Chair would forward the letter to the Children, Young People and Education Committee and the Equalities, Local Government and Communities Committee requesting that a watching brief is maintained on the issues contained in the letter.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.2 The Chair agreed to write to the Welsh Government seeking additional information on the management of follow-up of outpatients and on the Primary Care Out-of-Hours Service.

3.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The paper was noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.2 The Chair advised he would respond to the Welsh Government on housing adaptations.

3.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.2 Members agreed that the Chair will write to the Chair of the Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee requesting that that Committee monitors future policy decisions regarding the Pinewood Studios in Cardiff and creative industries in Wales.

2.1 The papers were noted.

3.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.2 The Committee agreed that the Chair would respond to the Auditor General for Wales’s consultation on future audit arrangements for Town and Community Councils.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.2 The following actions were agreed:

·         NHS Wales Informatics Services: The Committee agreed that the Chair would respond to the Government seeking a situation report on the appointment process for the Chief Digital Officer together with clear definitions of the various Digital Officer roles and a timetable for these appointments.

·         Public Procurement: The Chair agreed to ask the Welsh Government about what considerations, if any, have been given to the potential impact any future tariffs may have for procurement.

·         Scrutiny Of Accounts 2018-19: The Chair agreed to advise the Welsh Government that the Committee will return to the issue of the internal use of Welsh Language in the Welsh Government during the annual scrutiny of accounts in autumn 2020.

·         Waste Management: The Committee agreed to feed their views into the Welsh Government’s current consultation.

·         Medicines Management: The Chair agreed to write to the Welsh Government seeking a progress report on the initiatives to improve repeat prescribing and reducing waste and on improving medicines storage, noting that the updated guidance that was promised has not yet been issued.

·         Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill: The Committee agreed that the Chair would write to the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee with their views.

·         Financial Management and Governance in Community Councils: The Committee asked that the letter from the Welsh Government be forwarded to the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee.

·         Welsh Government’s relationship with Pinewood: The Chair agreed to write to the Welsh Government seeking further explanation on the  information contained in the letter.

4.1 The paper was noted.

3.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.2 The Committee agreed that the Chair write to the Welsh Government seeking clarification on a number of issues contained in the letter on the Regulatory oversight of Housing Associations.

2.3 The Committee agreed that the Chair would write to the Chair of the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee advising of the publication of the Fuel Poverty Report and to the Chair of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee regarding the ‘front door’ to adult social care Report.

2.4 The Committee requested a detailed briefing on the Public Spending Trends.

2.1 The papers were noted and it was agreed that the Chair would respond to the Welsh Government on the Welsh Government’s youth discounted bus fare scheme – MyTravelPass.

2.1 The Committee considered and noted the Welsh Government’s response and agreed to request a comprehensive update on progress made against the recommendations in July 2020.

2. The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted subject to the following actions:

·         The Committee agreed to defer the next scheduled update on Radiology Services until the end of 2019;

·         The Committee agreed to defer the final update on Community Safety in Wales until spring 2020, following the conclusion of the programme in March 2020;

·         The Committee asked that clarification was sought on the Turnaround Director role at BCUHB; and

·         The Committee will respond to the letter from the Future Generations Commissioner.

3.1 The papers were noted.

3.2 The Chair agreed to write to the Welsh Government seeking further clarification on MyTravelPass and Housing Adaptations and on the special payments made by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales.

4.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The paper was noted.

2.2 The papers were noted.

4.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

4.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.2 The Chair agreed to reply to the Welsh Government seeking clarification on the agreed commitment that they would publish details of the per passenger subsidy annually alongside passenger numbers.

2.1 The papers were noted.

3.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 Regarding the inquiry into care experienced children and young people, the Chair agreed to contact Care Inspectorate Wales regarding the thematic review they are undertaking which is due to report in March 2019. Following information and advice from the Auditor General, it was agreed to hold a further evidence session as part of the NHS Wales Informatics Services inquiry before the end of the summer term.

3.1 The papers were noted.

3.2 The Committee discussed the contents of the letter on the challenges of digitalisation with Andrew Slade, the Director General for Economy, Skills and Natural Resources. Following the evidence session, Members asked that the Clerks discussed the possibility of a rapporteur group being established together with Members from the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee to take this issue forward.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The Chair agreed to write to all Health Boards asking if they were content with the figures provided by the Director of NHS Wales Informatics Service regarding the double-running costs (PAC(5)-13-18 PTN6).

4.1 The papers were noted.

3.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 Following Member’s consideration, it was agreed that the Chair will write to the Welsh Government seeking further clarity and explanation on the challenges of digitalisation and public procurement.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

3.1 The papers were noted.

3.1 The papers were noted.

3.2 Specifically on the papers to note, it was agreed to:

·       Hold an evidence session with the Welsh Government on the review of the Intra-Wales Cardiff to Anglesey air service;

·       Write to the Director for Economy, Skills and Natural Resources seeking further clarification on the relationship the Welsh Government has with the UK Government Digital Service; and

·       Write to the Chairs of the Children, Young People and Education and Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committees regarding the coding elements of the Hwb programme.

3.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 Lee Waters AM asked for a correction to be made to point 4.2 of the minutes from 15 January 2018.

2.1 The papers were noted. Specifically, the Committee agreed:

·       Auditor General Report on Homelessness: The Chair will send a copy of the Report to John Griffiths AM, Chair of the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee and ask for an undertaking as to whether the Committee has the capacity to undertake an inquiry into this issue and if so provide a timeline.

·       NHS Finance (Wales) Act 2014: The Chair to write to the Welsh Government seeking clarification on why the zero based review was only undertaken in the Hywel Dda University Health Board and if an overview within the Welsh NHS has been undertaken/is planned on its efficiency.

·       Hospital Catering and Patient Nutrition: The Chair to write to the Welsh Government requesting an explanation as to why the All Wales catering system has still not been delivered and is not expected to be available as a ‘call-off’ until 2019 and also request a timeline for the Gateway Review of the Wales Community Care Information System. 

2.1 The papers were noted.

·       On coastal flooding, the Chair agreed to write to the Welsh Government seeking an update on their timetable for the Coastal Risk Management Programme and advise the Chair of the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee of the coastal toolkit to accompany the new Strategy for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management with regard to realignment.

·       Regarding the correspondence between the Committee and the Welsh Government on working practices and procedures, Members felt that the response was positive but that close monitoring would be required to ensure that Welsh Government responses to Committee recommendations consistently provide full explanations of why a recommendation has been accepted or not. The Chair agreed to respond to the Permanent Secretary with the Committee’s views.

3.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.2 On the challenges of digitalisation, Members were in agreement that the Chair writes to the Chair of the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee enclosing a copy of the Permanent Secretary’s letter and a recommendation that the Committee explores this further with the Minister. Members also agreed to hold an introductory session with the newly appointed Director General’s at the Welsh Government in the New Year.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.2 The Committee agreed to seek further clarification from the Welsh Government on in-year funding for health boards and the findings of the Deloitte review of governance issues at Hywel Dda University Health Board as part of the NHS Finance (Wales) Act 2014. Regarding Senior Management Pay, the Committee noted that the Auditor General would report back following discussions with the Welsh Government.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.2 With regard to the letter on hospital catering and patient nutrition, the Committee agreed that further clarification, particularly on the timetable for the implementation of the initiatives, was required. The Chair agreed to write to the Welsh Government and it was agreed that an evidence session be arranged before the end of the term.

2.1 The papers were noted.

6.1 The papers were noted.

6.2 The Chair agreed to send a copy of the Welsh Government’s response to the Chair of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee.

6.3 In relation to Item 6.7, NHS Waiting Times for Elective Care in Wales and Orthopaedic Services, Members noted the progress being made and agreed to receive a further update on progress in spring 2018.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.2 Governance Arrangements at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB): Auditor General for Wales' Report - An Overview of Governance Arrangements (29 June 2017). The Committee agreed to write to the Chair of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee requesting that they scrutinise the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport and the Minister for Social Services and Public Health on this issue, during their regular ministerial scrutiny sessions.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.2 The Committee agreed that the Chair should write to the Children, Young People and Education Committee advising them of the work the Committee has undertaken as they may wish to seek updates from the Welsh Government during their scheduled ministerial scrutiny sessions.

2.3 Mike Hedges AM asked that the Chair write to the Welsh Government seeking further clarification on Advanced Manufacturing in relation to Kancoat.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.2 It was agreed that the Chair will write to the Permanent Secretary regarding the challenges digitalisation will bring to the Welsh Government and advise her that the Committee wish to discuss this issue with her further when she next attends Committee.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.2 The Committee agreed to raise concerns about the Welsh Government’s counter-fraud measures with the Permanent Secretary later in the term.

2.1 The papers were noted.

3.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.2 The Committee agreed the following action:

Valedictory session – The Chair to write to the Permanent Secretary seeking clarification of the true cost of counter-fraud measures and not just the staff resources of the Counter-Fraud Unit.

Cardiff Airport – The Chair to write to the Welsh Government seeking additional information on Cardiff Aviation Limited and specifically the due diligence exercise carried out in 2012.

Kancoat – The Chair to write to the Welsh Government requesting whether the risk of being dependent on a single supplier was identified and mitigated against. The Committee also wish to query the due diligence procedure given that it was based on a 2011 valuation and that the due diligence officer had suggested a new valuation be commissioned.

Welsh Government historic debt – The Committee agreed to include this issue in its scrutiny of the Welsh Government’s Consolidated Accounts 2016-17 in autumn 2017. The Auditor General for Wales agreed to undertake some checks as to the origin of the debt and advise Committee accordingly.

2.1 The minutes were agreed and the papers were noted.

2.2 Member’s agreed that the Chair will write to the Welsh Government seeking clarification of the intentions to bring forward legislation to deal with a number of the recommendations that have been rejected from the Mark’s Review. Regarding Recommendation 6, the Chair will write to HIW seeking clarification on the number of GP practice inspections they have undertaken over a certain period to enable the Committee to ascertain whether the level of funding is adequate.

2.1 The minutes were agreed.

2.1 The minutes were agreed.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.2 The Committee noted the invitations from Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and Cwm Taf Health Board to visit and attend a tasting experience of hospital food from production to the patient. Members agreed to undertake a visit which the clerks will arrange.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.2 The Committee agreed:

·       NHS Wales Health Board’s Governance: Additional information from Healthcare Inspectorate Wales – to ask HIW for a further update on voluntary lay reviewers in summer 2017; and

·       Scrutiny of Accounts: Additional information from Careers Wales – to seek further clarification as to the rationale as to why all the previous local authority pension schemes have not been merged into one.

2.1 The papers were noted.

2.1 The minutes were agreed.

2.1 The minutes were noted.