Meetings

The Committee considered correspondence from the petitioner and, given that they felt they could do no more to take the matter forward, agreed to close the petition.  In doing so, Members wished to thank the petitioner for bringing the petition forward and helping them to understand the issues surrounding the petition.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to:

• write to the leader of Caerffili Council for a response; and
• draw the petitioner’s comments to the attention of the Minister.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to write to:

• the Minister asking for his views on how the legislation and guidance around direct payments, which is to be rewritten as a consequence of the Social Care and Well-being (Wales) Bill, will improve the situation and also sharing the petitioner’s further comments on the on-going difficulties still being experienced; and
• Caerphilly Council regarding the concerns over the direct payment issue.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to

·         note the situation and ask the Minister for an update, following Stage 2 of the Bill on whether the changes made have resolved the situation: and

·         ask the petitioner for views on the Minister’s letter.

3a.1 The Committee noted the letter from the Chair of the Petitions Committee; the Chair will respond, noting the correspondence.

Dr Tymandra Blewett-Silcock, Lead Petitioner

Dr Tymandra Blewett-Silcock answered questions from the Committee.

Members discussed the evidence session and agreed to;

·         write to the Minister for Health and Social Services asking whether there will be review of Direct Payments;

·         write to the Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee highlighting the issues in advance of further scrutiny of the Social Services & Wellbeing (Wales) Bill;

·         collect further case studies on the subject matter; and

·         consider whether to take further evidence in the autumn term.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to;

·         undertake further work on the petition if the Children and Young People’s Committee do not;

·         write to the Minister for Health and Social Services highlighting the problems facing the petitioner, and the difficulties raised by Caerphilly Council; and

·         write to Caerphilly Council with more details of the petitioner’s case.

The Committee considered the petition for the first time and agreed to write to:

·         The Minister for Health and Social Services;

·         Health and Social Care Committee;

·         Children’s Commissioner for Wales; and

·         Caerphilly County Borough Council seeking their views on the petition.

The Committee may undertake a discreet piece of work on this petition dependant on the responses.