Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendation.

Councillor Jones introduced the report and explained that it was brought before Cabinet to advise on the regional approach to fulfilling the council’s legal requirements in relation to a pooled fund for care home accommodation in

line with the duties imposed by the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act

2014 (“the 2014 Act”) and The Partnership Arrangements (Wales) Regulations

2015 (“the 2015 regulations”) and to request an extension to the arrangement’s ad

infinitum.

In the financial year 2019-2020, one regional non-risk sharing pooled budget was established for North Wales and initially received Cabinet approval from Flintshire on the 16th July 2019. The arrangement took effect from 1^st April 2019 and it was agreed that Denbighshire County Council host the arrangements; thereby

operating the pooled fund on behalf of all the partners.

The Senior Manager – Children and Workforce explained that a decision was now required to continue with the existing arrangements for a non risk sharing pooled fund (to be hosted by Denbighshire County Council on behalf of the six North Wales Councils and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board) insofar as regional spend on care home accommodation functions for older people was concerned.

Given the value of the pooled fund, Cabinet authority was required for the council to enter into the updated agreement prepared to regulate our ongoing relationships with partners in relation to the operation of the pooled fund.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the progress made regionally in meeting the Part 9 requirements of the 2014 Act which includes a legal requirement to establish a regional pooled fund for care home accommodation for older people be supported; and

(b)       That approval be given to the Council entering into a legal agreement between Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and the six local authorities across North Wales, regulating the operation and governance arrangements in respect of the pooled fund until such time as we need to terminate the agreement.