Issue - meetings

To consider a joint report of the (Independence & Wellbeing) and (Supporting Adults).

The purpose of this report is to approve the 2015/16 Section 75 / pooled fund agreement between the Council and Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).     

In addition the report highlights the in principle agreement to significantly increase the value of the pooled fund in 2016/17 and the work to be completed to ensure that the future S75 agreement recognises the larger and more volatile areas coming into view.

The Executive is asked to approve the 2015/16 Section 75 / pooled fund Agreement.

Officer contact: Michael Cullen, 0161 474 4631, Michael.cullen@stockport.gov.uk

A joint report of the Executive Councillors (Independence & Wellbeing) and (Supporting Adults) was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to approve a revised Section 75 Agreement for 2015/16 to support the pooling of budgets by the Council and Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group. The Agreement had been amended to take account of the pooling needed to support the recently introduced Better Care Fund.

Executive councillors emphasised that proposals to expand the pooling arrangements to support health and social care integration would be subject to further consideration and decision, including the establishment of robust governance arrangements.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the 2015/16 Section 75 pooled fund Agreement.

To consider a joint report of the Corporate Directors for Corporate and Support Services and for People.

The report provides the Scrutiny Committee with details of the 2015/16 Section 75 / pooled fund agreement between the Council and Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).  The agreement is scheduled for approval by the Council’s Executive on 6 October 2015.     

In addition the report highlights the in principle agreement to significantly increase the value of the pooled fund in 2016/17 and the work to be completed to ensure that the future S75 agreement recognises the larger and more volatile areas coming into view. 

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report.

Officer contact: Michael Cullen, 0161 474 4631, Michael.cullen@stockport.gov.uk

(NOTE: The Chair was of the opinion that this item, although not included on the agenda for the meeting, should be considered as a matter of urgency in accordance with Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 in order that this item could be considered by the Scrutiny Committee in advance of its approval by the Executive on 6 October 2015).

A joint report of the Corporate Directors for People and for Corporate and Support Services was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) containing a proposed Section 75 Partnership Agreement between the Council and Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group to cover the 2015/16 financial year that had been revised to take account of the Better Care Fund arrangements.

The Executive Councillor (Supporting Adults) (Councillor Keith Holloway) attended the meeting to answer questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Additional mechanisms needed to be put into place to ensure that there was adequate democratic oversight of the proposed Section 75 Partnership Agreement.

·         Other health service partners were not accustomed to overview and scrutiny in the same way that services provided by the Council were.

·         It was suggested that the minutes of the Health & Wellbeing Integrated Commissioning Board should be submitted to a democratically accountable body.

RESOLVED – That the revised Section 75 Agreement for 2015/16 be noted.

To consider a joint report of the Corporate Directors for Corporate and Support Services and for People.

The report provides the Scrutiny Committee with details of the 2015/16 Section 75 / pooled fund agreement between the Council and Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).  The agreement is scheduled for approval by the Council’s Executive on 6 October 2015.     

In addition the report highlights the in principle agreement to significantly increase the value of the pooled fund in 2016/17 and the work to be completed to ensure that the future S75 agreement recognises the larger and more volatile areas coming into view. 

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report.

Officer contact: Michael Cullen, 0161 474 4631, Michael.cullen@stockport.gov.uk

A joint report of the Corporate Directors for People and for Corporate and Support Services was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) containing a proposed Section 75 Partnership Agreement between the Council and Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group to cover the 2015/16 financial year that had been revised to take account of the Better Care Fund arrangements.

The Scrutiny Committee had discussed issues relating to the Section 75 agreement and the pooling of budgets during consideration of the Investing in Stockport Programme: Executive Proposals report at agenda item 4 above (Minute 4 refers).

The following additional comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Clarification was sought on whether the pooling arrangements/ S75 agreement was able to manage the likely risks associated with the 2016/17 pooled proposals. It was responded that it was believed that the arrangements were adequate for the 2015/16 pool, but further work would be undertaken to ensure the arrangements were revised in time for the 2016/17 pool. It was commented that as the Council hosted the pool these would be subject to regular reporting through the portfolio performance reporting process.

·         Future portfolio reports should include specific reference to the pooled budgets.

·         It was anticipated that further guidance would be issued in relation to the monitoring/ auditing of pooled budgets in light of the increasing usage of these agreements.

RESOLVED – That the revised Section 75 Agreement for 2015/16 be noted and the Executive be informed of this Scrutiny Committee’s concerns about the arrangements for the scrutiny of the management of the pool and the need for appropriate reporting for the 2016/17 pool.