Decision details

The Committee considered a report which sought approval to enter into a new Section 75 Agreement for one year, between Cheshire East Council and Cheshire and Merseyside ICB from 1 April 2024 until 31 March 2025. With the possibility of an extension for the period of an additional year from 1 April 2025 until 31 March 2026.

Members queried why Cheshire East Council would be entering into a Section 75 agreement with the Cheshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), and how Cheshire East Council could guarantee that it received a fair share of the Better Care Fund (BCF). Officers reported that it was necessary to enter into a Section 75 agreement with the ICB because it was the statutory organisation; there is no longer a statutory organisation at Cheshire East Place level However, the BCF grant is delineated by local authorities, so there is a sum of money in the national guidance identified for Cheshire East which is identified for pooling in the BCF.

Members were updated that officers were looking to ensure that money is spent on programmes which have the greatest impact; the amount of money is increasing and a significant proportion of it will be spent on reablement.

RESOLVED: Unanimously

That the Adults and Health Committee

1. Authorises the Council to enter into a new Section 75 Agreement with Cheshire and Merseyside ICB for a period of one year from 1 April 2024, for the council’s minimum required budget, together with the option to extend that agreement for a further period of one year (subject to there being a national requirement to operate the Better Care Fund as a Section 75 pooled budget agreement until 31 March 2025).

2. Delegates authority to the Executive Director of Adults, Health and Integration (in consultation with the Director of Governance and Compliance) to agree the terms of the Section 75 Agreement.

3. Delegates authority to the Executive Director of Adults, Health and Integration (in consultation with the Director of Governance and Compliance) to extend the Agreement for 2025/26.

4. Authorises the Director of Finance and Customer Services to continue with pooled budget arrangements for 2024/25 for the council’s revised minimum requirement.

5. Approves that the services identified in the appendix 2 can be considered and reviewed with the potential that they are included in the Better Care Fund Section 75 Agreement.