Welsh Cabinet Committees 2003
Welsh Cabinet Committees 2003
From the May election onwards
Let me start with a reminder of why I am laboriously working through the Welsh Government Cabinet Minutes Papers and Cabinet Sub-Committee Minutes and Papers.
First, the selfish reason. It is background research for my next book, which will be on the making of the Welsh Government, and will underpin the chronology for the book.
Second, the unselfish reason. Over recent years I have occasionally been asked to be a reviewer for academic articles on Welsh policy-making post-Devolution. Not so long ago, I suggested that the authors of an article should consult the Welsh Government Cabinet Minutes. Their reply came back that these were no longer accessible on-line. I checked, and this was true (broken links). Fortunately, I had years before been in touch with the National Archives about this, and although not perfect, I have links which largely do work. So I am using those links to make this material available for researchers, principally historians and those interested in policy development over time. (On the broader question of the updating of Welsh Government archives, I am grateful for the support of former First Minister Mark Drakeford in this venture).
I am working through these links and papers one year each week on the whole, with a week on the Cabinet Meetings and Papers, and then a week on the Committee Meetings and Papers. So I should get to 2024 by about Easter next year, although there were fewer Cabinet Committees in the 2009-18 period so it might be swifter.
Back to post-election 2003. Rhodri Morgan’s Cabinet discussed how many Cabinet Committees it would create shortly after the 2003 election. The first Cabinet Meeting after the election had a paper from the First Minister suggesting the following committees:
· Children and Young People
· Sustainable Development
· Spatial Plan
· Local Government and Public Services (a new committee)
A Task and Finish Group on the Wanless NHS review began work in December of this year.
Plus a Sub-Committee on Subordinate Legislation, which is of less interest, bluntly, for researching policy development. The main Sub-Committees all feed in to important and recurring areas of policy concern in Wales over time.
Ministers noted previous discussions on the establishment of a Cabinet Sub-Committee for Older People and agreed to set up a Task and Finish Group until an Older Person’s Commissioner was appointed. Ministers agreed to merge the Spatial Plan Working Group with the Sustainable Development Sub-Committee.
In September, there was a paper on setting up this Cabinet Sub-Committee on older people, which was agreed.
These committee papers are particularly useful for people interested in long-standing debates in Wales on local government and public service delivery, the ‘bonfire of the quangoe’, the policy process around sustainable development leading up the 2015 Wellbeing of Future Generations Act, and innovative Welsh policies on children’s rights and older people. Committees in the 2001-3 and 2007-11 periods are particularly useful for those with interests in Economic Development and Regeneration. I now turn to the committees in detail.
Children and Young People’s Committee.
The Children and Young People’s Committee met on four occasions in 2003 after the election. On 16 June, it reviewed Manifesto commitments relating to children and young people. The meeting received a paper offering a ‘policy map’ for the committee:
A child poverty task group had been established. Charlotte Williams would be invited to a meeting of the Sub-Committee in the autumn to discuss early findings of the task group.
The implementation of free school breakfasts was currently being planned. A paper would be put to the Sub-Committee in the Autumn.
Important features of the new integrated centres were openness, accessibility and the opportunity for children to play. Officials would produce an update report on the initiative in the autumn.
The sustainability, affordability and accessibility of childcare were primary concerns for the Welsh Assembly Government. The Ministers for Health and Social Services and Economic Development and Transport would produce a joint paper for the next meeting of the Sub-Committee.
Ministers agreed the Sub-Committee should concentrate on the three cross cutting themes of transport, nutrition and exercise and the transition for children and young people into school, adolescence and adulthood through education, welfare and health.
The issue of transport for children and young people included manifesto commitments for new safe routes to school and half price bus travel for 16 to 18 year olds. That overlap needed proper consideration to achieve a joined-up approach. Ministers requested a paper to identify where lead responsibilities for the issues lay, and asked that Dr. Kim Howells MP, Minister of State for Transport might be asked for his views as Transport Minister in the UK Government to ascertain where lead responsibilities might lie.
Statistics revealed a growth in child obesity. As part of the wider issue of nutrition and exercise, Ministers noted free swimming facilities pilot projects were ongoing and were raising activity levels particularly in children. Free swimming would help to address these issues in conjunction with the healthy and active lifestyle project.
The meeting on 14 July had a full agenda with a number of papers.
Childcare:
The paper was a response to a request from the previous meeting. It
provided an overview of policies in relation to childcare in Wales. It was noted that the national minimum standards regarding daycare for children under eight required the person in charge to be trained to National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level
External organisations had raised concerns that a number of playgroups, particularly those in rural areas, could face closure due to a lack of qualified staff. Ministers agreed there was a need to consider programmes to increase numbers of training placements and move the training deadlines beyond April 2005 to overcome some concerns.
The Sub-Committee requested a paper to identify how the Assembly
Government could ensure that the childcare action plan and the early years agenda achieved their objectives. It was necessary to identify any problems that could be faced and offer appropriate solutions.
Responsibilities for Transport Policies
The paper identified a wide range of policies relating to children and young people and transport. It was noted, a project plan would be implemented to deliver policies with regards to children and young people and transport. This would meet manifesto commitments. There were a number of agencies responsible for improvements to school transport. Minister requested a paper for the next meeting to identify what the Assembly Government could do to improve the safety of transport to school.
Children’s National Service Framework
The paper was a progress report on the National Service Framework for children, Young People and Maternity Services (NSF). It was requested that Professor Lawrence Moore was invited to a future meeting to discuss physical activity and nutrition.
Extending Entitlement
The paper had been produced as an interim report on progress for the Education and Lifelong Learning Committee and provided the Sub-Committee with background to Extending Entitlement. The paper identified what Young People’s Partnerships throughout Wales were doing in terms of this initiative. It identified what the Assembly Government hoped to achieve.
Forward work Programme
The forward work programme identified three key themes the Sub-Committee was expected to deliver on and suggested a methodology for the delivery of plans and proposals.
Ministers noted the launch of the free swimming scheme, the healthy eating schools programme and the exercise and nutrition strategy on Thursday 17th July. Ministers had requested a co-ordinated approach to these announcements at Cabinet. It was noted that Wales had received a positive write up in the report on the "Effects of Devolution on Children".
At the meeting on 3 November Charlotte Williams gave a presentation on the early findings of the Child Poverty Task Group. The task group was looking to produce a strategy that was robust, have sustainability and include systems for monitoring.
The Task group had five main tasks:
Review existing information about root causes and significant determinants of child poverty in Wales, and identify a range of indicators by which performance in tackling it could effectively be measured;
Establish a set of principles and objectives for the Assembly Government acting across its functions, which would significantly contribute to sustainable action to tackle child poverty and produce a workable definition of child poverty as a primary focus for the strategy;
Conduct an audit of existing Assembly Government policies and programmes, which impact on child poverty;
Take into account relevant UK Government policies and programmes which would influence the material and financial well-being of families and children in Wales and where appropriate, suggest areas where the Assembly Government might make representations for change; and
Consult with individuals and organisations representing the interests of children and families in Wales, including children and young people themselves.
Professor Lawrence Moore, Director, Cardiff Institute of Society, Health and Ethics gave a presentation on progress of the National Service Framework (NSF). The role of the Framework was to improve the health and well-being of all children and young people in Wales. Six external working groups had been established to look at: acute and chronic illness or injury; children in special circumstances; maternity; disabled children; mental health and psychological well being; and improving the health and well-being of all children and young people.
Physical activity and nutrition was a priority with childhood and adult obesity, diabetes, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle seen as major problems. Causes were seen as poor data, sedentary lifestyle, changes in physical and social environment. Recommendations included: a series of national and international reviews to identify effective interventions; a comprehensive school based programmes to improve school nutrition, increase physical activity within and to and from school. It was also suggested that family based programmes might be effective.
There was an Update on Childcare issues. The paper had been produced as a response to the WDA commissioned research into the business needs of the childcare sector and the Chwarae Teg scoping study into the economic aspects of care. The sub-committee agreed that an implementation group would be established. It would be wide-ranging and include external partners. It was also agreed that the paper would be turned into an implementation plan.
At an earlier meeting the Sub-Committee had agreed that the Assembly Government would publish a full statement on children and young people which would act as a green paper for Wales. Ministers noted the work already completed but were concerned that the paper, in its current form, would not appeal to children and young people. The Sub-Committee agreed that the paper would be re-drafted to reflect this. The rights of young people would be at the forefront of the paper and it would take into account their involvement in sustainable development and equal opportunities issues.
A preliminary discussion took place on the Assembly Government's commitment to provide free school breakfasts to primary schools in Community First areas.
The Department of Culture Media and Sport had recently announced a Young People’s Fund, and £13 million would be distributed in Wales. Officials had suggested that the fund would aim to help young people between the ages of 0 and 25 focusing on:
Helping children and young people to enjoy life and achieve their full potential;
Supporting children and young people to develop the necessary skills for future endeavours, and maximise their potential in undertaking activities which contribute to the wellbeing and vibrancy of their community; and
Supporting children and young people in activities that aim to prevent them in engaging in anti-social or offending behaviour.
The Sub-Committee agreed that a paper should be prepared for the next meeting exploring how best to access and distribute funds available.
The meeting on 8 December noted that the Minister for Health and Social Services and Minister for Economic Development and Transport had asked Brian Gibbons AM to chair and lead the implementation group on childcare. Dr Gibbons had already begun initial discussions with officials and external organisations.
There was a paper on free school breakfasts which built on Ministers' preliminary discussions on the Assembly Government's commitment to provide free school breakfasts to primary schools in Communities First areas. Ministers aimed to take account of the work of existing breakfast clubs already funded through the New Opportunities Fund (NOF). It was recognised that there were about 230 breakfast clubs already operating in Wales. Most of these were likely to be school-based with probably around 200 of them in Communities First areas. The First Minister mentioned the Assembly Government proposal to host an event for members of the Welsh rugby and football teams along with other leading Welsh sports stars in Cardiff Bay building. The First Minister suggested that such sports personalities could act as role models in encouraging healthier eating amongst school children.
There was a paper on the Young People's Fund (YPF). At the last meeting the Sub-Committee had looked at the priorities to take forward the £13 million coming to Wales that will be administered by the New Opportunities Fund (NOF). The Minister for Health and Social Services discussed work in the field of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. This should be considered as a priority for funding. Funding could be available as early as summer 2004 and that when operated it should take account of Assembly Government priorities. It was agreed that a Cross-Ministerial portfolio group of officials should meet to discuss issue and promote joined up working and a targeted focus.
There was a paper on joining up children and young people’s issues. Cabinet Sub-Committee agreed that consideration be given to mechanisms, other than statutory means, of encouraging a joined-up approach by local authorities on issues affecting children and young people. The Minister for Economic Development and Transport suggested the use of structural funds as an incentive to encourage joined up working. The Minister for Health and Social Services noted that local health boards had already explored routes for joined up working. This included shared Chief Officers and Medical Directors to cover periods of absences and leave. Cabinet Sub-Committee agreed to take forward the proposal for a duty on local authorities to co-operate.
The new Cabinet Sub-Committee on Local Government and Public Services also had four meetings before the end of the year. The Sub-Committee’s terms of reference were to keep under review the functioning of the local government system and arrangements for the delivery of public services in Wales: and to consider the scope for innovation, change, and increased joint working to bring about improvements in economy, efficiency and effectiveness.
At the first meeting on 2 June the committee discussed a paper on Delivery.
The paper provided an appraisal of how the Assembly Government could achieve better delivery of public services. It was important to note that the role of the Welsh Assembly Government tended towards enabling delivery by others rather than the direct delivery of services itself. The paper proposed six delivery principles for consideration by Ministers; noting that in developing policy ministers needed to give full consideration to the process of policy implementation. Although the Assembly government may not be the organisation undertaking delivery it needed always to consider how it could assist in ensuring that delivery was effective. There was a need for transparency of funding and public dialogue regarding links between budget and delivery. Ministers requested a paper for the next meeting of the sub- committee to addressing the issues of transparency of funding for local government.
Another paper invited Ministers to review the forward agendas for the Partnership Council meetings regularly. Ministers agreed that meetings provided an opportunity to work closely with local authorities and requested greater involvement in agreeing a forward programme of work and attending Partnership Council meetings.
A further paper discussed the first round of policy agreements, which were agreed in 2000 and would be completed by April 2004. The full report would be produced in 2004. There were concerns that existing policy agreements were not widely acknowledged . Ministers hoped new agreements would be focused and publicised internally and externally. Public knowledge would give the agreements greater credibility. Ministers agreed that policy agreements should be focused on the shared strategic priorities of the Assembly Government and local government, specifying core service standards and expectations and seek to promote performances over and above core services. It was agreed that a further paper should be produced to allow Ministers to reach a view on the principles on which revised policy agreements should be developed.
The meeting on 30 June discussed the accountability of ASPBs against the general statutory/legal framework. There was a need to keep an overview on how ASPBs interpret policy and to maintain accountability. It was felt that there was a need for consistency and to maintain distinction between Assembly Ministers and ASPBs and to map the influence they have. The Presiding Officer had raised in Plenary that Ministers were answering questions about ASPB matters differently. Some Ministers answered questions directly while others referred questions to the body in question. That undermined clarity and accountability, and it was important to establish a consistent approach.
There was a paper on clarity of funding for local government. There were two options for improving the degree of clarity. The first would be to detail Standard Spending Assessments (SSAs) for each authority. The alternative would be to show the notional Revenue Support Grant (RSG) and the National Non-Domestic Rate (NNDR) applied to each service block. The Sub-Committee agreed in principle that greater clarity was needed, and agreed to test local authorities’ views over the forthcoming months. Whichever approach was adopted, it was essential to maintain a consistent approach across all policy areas.
There was a similar need for greater clarity as regards hypothecated grants. Grant levels and allocations should as far as possible be made clear at the beginning of the year. There should also be a clear exit strategy for every hypothecated grant and as far as possible, a robust link between the grant and the outcomes required.
There was a further paper on policy agreements, looking towards the framework for the next agreements, which would run from April 2004 to March 2007. Options 3 and 4 appeared to be the most favoured. Option 3 outlined an approach based on a menu of high-level outcome indicators set by the Assembly, of which some would be required of all authorities and the balance chosen by authorities according to their own priorities. Option 4 was an approach that would combine the Assembly’s strategic vision with the local community strategic vision. It would be supported by outcome indicators proposed by the Assembly along with indicators proposed by local authorities. Option 4 might be the optimal approach but Option 3 could be implemented more quickly. Possibly a combination of the two would be viable. If the agreements were to be an incentive then finance would need to be tied to agreed objectives. However, providing large financial incentives risked undermining the scheme altogether if the funds involved were needed for unavoidable commitments.
The meeting on 27 October considered a paper on integrated public services. The Minister for Finance, Local Government and Public Services summarised work already undertaken in this area . There was considerable potential for developing a consistent and co-ordinated approach in Wales. The emphasis would be on community and collaboration. Further thought needed to be given to the role of incentives in performance improvement and the spatial component of service delivery. The aim would be for an agreed approach to support the overall delivery of Wales: A Better Country, and it would be desirable for the Assembly Government to host a seminar with partner organisations with that aim in mind.
The paper on Policy Agreements which would run from April 2004 to March 2007 noted these were to be based on the priorities and vision set out in "A Better Wales". There had been a positive response from local authorities thus far.
The Minister for Finance, Local Government and Public Services introduced a paper on the rationalisation of local authority plans to ensure a simpler and more strategic approach. She mentioned her recent visit to Whitehall departments where she had considered the approach in England to this issue.
There was a paper on the Partnership Council. The Minister for Economic Development and Transport agreed to attend the next meeting of the Partnership Council, in particular to outline his views on economic development and Cymru ar Lein.
The meeting on 24 November had a paper from WAG and WLGA colleagues on Rationalisation of Plans in response to a request from the Sub-Committee on streamlining the requirement placed on local government to produce plans. The model being used by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister had been examined to find a possible approach, which had been tailored to Welsh circumstances. A matrix of strategic priorities was introduced, which included the Assembly’s cross cutting themes of sustainable development, equal opportunities, and social inclusion. It was intended that the Assembly would be able to set out its core requirements within each of the business areas while at the same time local authorities would have a single framework for planning, which was consistent with the community strategy and partnership working arrangements. Ministers welcomed the paper but asked for further work to show how culture and the Welsh Language would be taken into account. There were also concerns about how to ensure that funds given to a local authority for a specific purpose were spent accordingly.
Officials introduced a paper which set out an overview of the generic delivery issues that needed to be addressed to enable the public sector in Wales to work towards the agenda in the Assembly Government’s strategic document, Wales a Better Country.
Ministers discussed how best practice was being delivered in the Health Service in Wales and asked for a paper on the balanced scorecard and performance management in the NHS Wales
.
There was a paper which outlined the current delivery relationship with ASPBs:
Officials introduced a paper updating the Sub-Committee on progress on the Public Sector Management Initiative, which was a key component of establishing a distinctive public service in Wales. Ministers noted that work on the wider agenda had begun with a seminar chaired by the Minister for Finance, Local Government and Public Services.
Sustainable Development and Spatial Plan.
This committee also had four meetings by the end of 2003. The first meeting on 2 June had a paper on progress with sustainable development in Wales. The original Sustainable Development Scheme had agreed a set of internal processes to improve sustainability. The next phase of the scheme would implement existing strategies and policies to achieve the principal objectives. Ministers discussed the handling of the Sustainable Development Scheme and agreed that a plenary statement was the appropriate means of informing the Assembly of its principles and intentions. Ministers agreed that the consultation document would be cross cutting and include areas where progress had been made as well as areas where further progress could be made. These included low carbon emissions and agri-environmental schemes.
Ministers hoped that guidance could be produced for all Assembly Sponsored Public Bodies to disseminate best practice and ensure compliance with Assembly Government sustainable development standards.
Another paper provided an update on the European and international sustainable development networks. It emphasised the leading role Wales had taken in informing European Union debates on mainstreaming sustainable development into government programmes. Ministers noted that Cardiff would host the Sustainable Development conference in the week commencing Monday 21st March 2004.
The meeting on 2 July discussed the Draft Spatial Plan and choices arising from the Spatial Plan. It was expected that the draft should be ready to launch for consultation by September. Ministers discussed the draft. It was important that the Assembly Government showed leadership in setting the spatial agenda in Wales. There was a need to alter how the factual information and analysis is presented in the draft. More specifically, there was a need to identify pockets of deprivation and low skills and strengthen references to the skills development agenda, especially in the context of Information and Communication Technology and broadband. Consideration should be given as to how Welsh language issues could be reflected in the plan.
Officials introduced a paper with a proposals for the Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development Conference scheduled to be held in Cardiff in March 2004. This was likely to be a large conference and was important in determining Wales’ international profile. Encouraging interaction with members of the public was also planned with an integrated approach to involving young people.
Ministers made a number of suggestions for the organisation of the conference. It was important to make links with work being carried out in education on sustainable development. It would also be helpful to have youth rapporteurs in each workshop. Consideration should also be given to specific events for young people in addition to mainstreaming youth involvement in other events. Ministers agreed that ministerial involvement in the event should be maximised and private offices should ensure dates were entered into ministerial diaries as soon as possible.
Officials provided an update on the Sustainable Development Scheme Review. The Minister for Environment, Planning and the Countryside had made a statement in plenary as agreed at the previous meeting.
The meeting on 27 October had two presentations, one on energy effciency in the NHS Estate and one on the WDA’s moves towards sustainability.
The presentation by Welsh Health Estates (WHE) and the Carbon Trust considered the approach to Energy Efficiency in the NHS. The presentation followed an earlier request to examine a strategic approach in the drive to meet a 15% reduction in carbon emission targets by 2010. The approach adopted was to focus on the situation in Trusts initially, using Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust as a representative Trust. The Trusts would be used to develop and produce the technical guidance and support packs for the rollout of the strategy to the other Trusts in Wales. The approach also needed to be backed up with investment. In the example of Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust it was estimated that for a total investment of £690,000 an emissions reduction of 5,900 tons of CO2 could be possible, equivalent to an approximate 20% reduction on their current level of energy usage. This equated to a £3.3 million investment across all NHS Trusts in Wales to produce a savings of £0.5 million per annum. The Sub-Committee agreed that it seemed that there was no incentive for Trusts to introduce measures to make them more energy efficient. Suggestions from the Project were that targets and incentives could be used at senior level.
The WDA gave a presentation to update the Cabinet Sub-Committee outlining the progress they had made in integrating Sustainable Development into their work and programmes since their last presentation in March 2003. Since the last presentation they had held workshops across Agency for WDA Managers to introduce the [rinciples of their approach and they now hoped that it can be applied to selected key projects in addition to new projects. In addition they were trying to encourage their partnership organisations to adopt the strategy and incorporate key elements of it.
However, they had encountered problems particularly with Local Authority Planning Regulations. Also, private construction companies had adopted sustainable development ideas although commercial developers had yet to adopt these. The Minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside asked how the document was treated throughout the work of the agency and how would be evaluated. The WDA treated it as a working document that would be evaluated every quarter by each division to determine whether it was working and to identify any necessary changes and improvements. The Minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside suggested that the process of sustainable development should not just to be viewed in terms of environmental matters but rather it should be included in terms of economic interests.
No papers are recorded in the archived materials.
The meeting on 24 November heard from Welsh Health Estates and the Carbon Trust on an Action Plan for rolling out the strategy on energy efficiency in NHS Wales. The Cabinet Sub-Committee welcomed the paper and discussed the two funding issues highlighted in the paper: the need to establish the resources required to implement the strategy and support trusts, and the need to establish funding for energy efficiency measures. There were questions about whether European Union structural funds could be utilised.
Officials presented a paper on progress on the Spatial Plan. The consultation document was launched in mid October and, as there had been a strong demand for copies, the document had been reprinted. There had been good attendance at the consultation events with the last event scheduled for 6 January.
Officials presented a paper identifying developments made in procurement policy, which had been initiated to assist with the support of indigenous businesses. The Welsh Procurement Initiative was engaging in a number of pathfinder projects to help small or medium sized enterprises to compete more successfully for business both from the Assembly and the rest of the Welsh public sector. The projects included: the National Procurement Web-Site; Procurement Management Information; the Welsh Procurement Card and the SME(Food) Pathfinder. Ministers requested a revised paper for the next meeting, with a more positive approach. The paper would identify the potential for supporting indigenous business through public sector procurement, identify the barriers to releasing this potential, and would make recommendations.
Older People.
There was one meeting of this committee in 2003. Terms of reference were:
To tackle discrimination against older people wherever it occurs, promote positive images of ageing and give older people a stronger voice in society
To promote and develop older peoples’ capacity to continue to work and learn for as long as they want, and to make an active contribution once they retire
To promote and improve the health and well-being of older people through integrated planning and service delivery frameworks and more responsive diagnostic and support services
To promote the provision of high quality services and support which enable older people to live as independently as possible in a suitable and safe environment and ensure services are organised around and responsive to their needs
To oversee the implementation of the Strategy for Older People in Wales and ensure a co-ordinated and holistic approach is taken to the implications of an ageing population and the needs of older people
The meeting on 17 November had a Progress Report on Implementation of the Older People Strategy. John Griffiths AM gave a verbal report to the Sub-Committee on the progress made in implementing the Strategy on Older People. The strategy had been positively received by a number of representative groups whose remit involved working with or for older people. These groups had expressed their support after being impressed by some of the commitments introduced by the Welsh Assembly Government and the Strategy. The free bus travel scheme for pensioners was used as an example. The Sub-Committee noted the effect that DWP policies and other non-devolved functions had on older people. It would be useful for discussions to take place to raise these issues and explore options available. It was agreed that the best approach to these aspect would be for the Minister for Health and Social Services to discuss them with UK Government colleagues. The Sub-Committee expressed their concern regarding £35,000 received by each local authority following bids for strategy funding. Ministers wanted it noted that this 'ring-fenced' funding from Welsh Assembly Government had provided the stimulus to some of the local authorities initiating work on older people. Ministers also wanted to be in a position by Spring 2004 to see evidence of what has been introduced by local authorities and their progress.
The Sub-Committee agreed on priorities identified to be taken forward during the next year. In addition Ministers suggested that some of the themes discussed were cross cutting with the Children and Young People Sub-Committee. The Minister for Economic Development and Transport commented that the strategy could focus more on the positive effects of economic policies on older people, particularly in respect of the employment of older people and over 50's returning to work. The Sub-Committee discussed entitlement cards for older people with the underlying theme of giving those in need access to public services by providing evidence to entitlement. The principle was to remove any barriers that were preventing older people access to services they were entitled to. The First Minister had highlighted a entitlement card scheme that was in use in New South Wales, Australia. It was agreed that it would be beneficial to explore the feasibility of a similar scheme so that older people could use just one card rather than a series of cards for different services. Cabinet would be considering the wider implications for Wales of identity cards in due course.
There was a paper on possible trends in Welsh Demography to 2051, provided as background information at the suggestion of the First Minister following its inclusion at a previous Cabinet Away Day. The paper provided background information to the Sub-Committee on an ageing population in Wales and plausible trends it identified.
Wanless
The first meeting oif this Tasl and Finish Group, included within the Cabinet Committee papers, took place on 1 December. The meeting agreed Terms of Reference, then moved on to discuss other items. The Minister for Health and Social Services introduced a paper on progress of the implementation plan and possible key milestones upon which the sub-committee may wish to focus. The paper contained two annexes:
the Health and Social Services Committee on the Assembly Government’s response to the Review of Health and Social Care in Wales; and
a detailed breakdown of the implementation plan. Ministers noted that the ‘outcome’ and key actions’ in annex 1 was being reformatted into a matrix.
Ministers welcomed the paper, which contained four main themes under which work would be taken forward: Prevention; Optimising Service Delivery; Involving People; Performance and Accountability. Ministers agreed that they would make each of these topics the subject of future meetings of the Task and Finish group
.
Ministers noted a paper on the Review of Health and Social Care in Wales that had been submitted to Cabinet on 20 October 2003.
The Permanent Secretary indicated that he had agreed to chair a parallel meeting of senior officials. Ministers welcomed this and agreed that the next meeting of the Task and Finish group should be after the Permanent Secretary’s meeting.