Decision details

This report seeks approval from Cabinet for the Council to enter into a partnership arrangement under a Section 75 of the National Health Act 2006 with each of the two Clinical Commissioning Groups. This report will bring into place a Section 75 Agreement for a future period following the expected expiry date (March 2017) of the previous agreement.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Social Care and Health which provided details of the Health and Wellbeing Board`s strategy for integration “Making it Happen” and the proposals for the Council to enter into a new arrangement under Section 75 of the National Health Act 2006 with the Clinical Commissioning Groups of Southport and Formby and South Sefton covering the population of Sefton.

Councillors Cummins and John Joseph Kelly sought clarification on a number of items listed in Appendix B of the Strategy document (Pooled Budget – Sefton Council) and the Director of Social Care and Health indicated that he would send a response to each of them following the meeting.

Decision Made: That

(1)       the strategy for integration “Making it Happen” be approved;

(2)       the work to date on the new Section 75 Agreement be noted; and

(3)       the Director of Social Care and Health, Head of Regulation and Compliance and Head of Corporate Resources in consultation with the Cabinet Member – Adult Social Care and Cabinet Member - Health and Wellbeing, be granted delegated powers to complete and enter into a new Section 75 Agreement with Southport and Formby Clinical Commissioning Group and South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group.

Reasons for Decision:

Sefton`s Health and Wellbeing Board has the following statutory responsibilities:

·         Duty to encourage integrated working.

·         Duty to prepare and publish the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment.

·         Duty to prepare and publish the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

Every year since 2014, Sefton has submitted a Better Care Fund Plan. This plan required each Health and Wellbeing Board to work towards a number of “National Conditions”. Two “National Conditions” have been that 

·         The Health and Wellbeing Board agrees “The (BCF) Plan”, and

·         A Section 75 Agreement is in place.

In addition, The Care Act 2014 requires that funds allocated to local areas for the Better Care Fund must be put into pooled budgets established under Section 75 Partnership Agreements.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

None.