Caerphilly County Borough Council has announced a plan to merge its social services department with neighbouring Blaenau Gwent’s.
The chief executives of Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly County Borough Councils, David Waggett and Anthony O’ Sullivan have issued a joint statement.
It read: “The long term vision of this proposal is to deliver high quality, person-centred Social Services to the residents of both county boroughs, helping people to achieve their potential and keep them safe, in the most effective and efficient way. It is clear that greater collaboration is the way forward to improve public services and we are pleased to be at the forefront of this innovative way of working. We now look forward to sharing our resources and our expertise so that we can build on our strengths and improve services for our local communities in the future.”
Caerphilly County Borough Council said the two services would “work together more collaboratively with the aim of integration to improve key services”.
Approval has been sought from the executives and cabinets of both local authorities and will happen over the next three years
Plans for the integrated service came from the Welsh Government White Paper ‘Sustainable Social Services for Wales: A Framework for Action’.
The aim of the White paper is to reshape and refocus Social Services to ensure that they remain strong, and continue to meet people’s needs.
Should political approval be given, both councils have given their assurance that staff will be kept fully informed and involved in each stage of the process.
The two councils have said the aim of an integrated service is to cut costs and make better use of existing resources.
The proposal is due to go to Caerphilly’s Health, Social Care and Well-Being Scrutiny Committee on June 28 2011 and cabinet on July 5.