Issue - meetings

To consider a report on the proposed new governance arrangements for Round 3 schemes.

Consideration was given to a report on the proposed new governance arrangements for Extra Care Housing schemes.

The current governance arrangements for Extra Care Housing were set up in 2009.  At that time it was anticipated that there would be further PFI funding available and that the main activity for the next five years would be the procurement and buildings of four more PFI Extra Care Housing schemes together with an overview of the operations of the current five PFI schemes.

In the light of this, a governance regime had been established that was overseen by the Joint Extra Care Housing Management Board (JECHMB). Beneath this was a Joint Officer Group consisting of the Heads of Service from both Authorities and reporting to this Group was the Project Development Group which was split into workgroups to deal with each part of the Competitive Dialogue. 

As a result of the Round 5 funding being cancelled and the two Authorities having decided to manage the care provision and restaurant facilities in different ways, it was proposed that the governance regime be altered. 

It was suggested that the JECHMB meet once a year to approve the Extra Care Housing PFI Accounts.  The JECHMB, as a joint board, would discuss only matters to do with the PFI contract including financial, legal and operational matters.  However, the meeting would be held in two parts so that the members could split East and West do discuss any relevant intra-Authority care or restaurant matters.

It was also proposed that the Joint Officer Group should consist of Senior Managers from each Council rather than Heads of Service and also hold two part meetings – the joint part to discuss any PFI Contract matters and then each Authority to discuss matters to do with its own care and catering provision.

Any further Extra Care Housing governance arrangements would be the decision of the individual authority.

Cheshire East Council would continue to manage the PFI contract on behalf of both Authorities and would mange the care provision and catering in Beechmere (Crewe), Oakmere (Handforth) and Willowmere (Middlewich). Cheshire West and Chester Council would manage the care provision and catering in Hazelmere (Winsford) and Hollymere (Ellesmere Port).

Members suggested that the JECHMB should meet twice a year to monitor financial, legal and operational matters in relation to the contract.  The suggested second part of the meeting - to allow members to split East and West do discuss any relevant intra-Authority care or restaurant matters, was to be held at a separate meeting if required rather than after the meeting of the JECHMB.

RESOLVED:

That the Joint Extra Care Housing Management Board meet twice a year and separate meetings held to discuss any relevant intra-Authority care or restaurant matters.