Issue - meetings

          The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, People, on proposals for the development of an alternative model of social care.

The Board was advised that Arms-length Management Organisations (ALMOs), were first established in England in the early 2000s, and were now used by local authorities in adult social care, which put services on a commercial footing so as to drive the most efficient method of delivery. In practice, ALMOs allowed councils to sell services and compete for business with the private sector.

It was noted that Halton had been in exploratory talks with Knowsley and Sefton Borough Councils to investigate the possibility of a tripartite partnership to deliver adult social care. The report set out details of three options for Members to consider. Option 1 was recommended, as the intention would be to continue to make improvements and deliver future service levels required by the Council and its service users. It was reported that Halton’s Adult Social Care services were performing relatively well given the restraints of reduced funding and an increase in complex care case load. In addition, the Council were fully committed to ‘One Halton’ – a place-based integrated health and social care model and joint venture with the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) – which meant that adult social care services would be fundamental to its delivery.

          RESOLVED: That

1)    the contents of the report are noted; and

2)    Halton continue with its current method of operation.