A pilot project to merge housing with social care directorates at Pembrokeshire County Council will save appointing a new head of service.

Members of the senior staff committee approved a 12 month trial which will see an adult care and housing service created, under the leadership of the current director of social services.

Cabinet member for housing Clr. Pat Davies told the committee that there was “synergy” between social care and housing, adding “these proposals make sense.”

There has been no head of service for housing since June 2018 but “significant senior management capacity is required to provide the leadership and direction to ensure delivery of the 30 year HRA Business Plan and

the Programme for the Administration priorities for housing,” states a report by chief executive Ian Westley.

Mr. Westley said that housing had been “passed around the departments” over the years.

The 12 month trial will be reviewed after six months and, if it is found lacking after a year, the creation of a head of housing post will have to be considered, the committee was told, “flying in the face” of cost efficiency efforts.

Clr. Reg Owens raised concerns about staff welfare and increasing work loads which Clr. Davies said had been considered carefully.

The housing element of the housing and building maintenance service will be merged with the adult care service with the director of social services re-designated the director of social services and housing.

The head of adult care will be re-designated to the head of adult care and housing for the trial period.