Agenda item

Kath Wynne Jones, LCO Chief Officer attended the meeting to provide members with an update in respect of the development of the LCO’s Mutually Binding Agreement (MBA).  The MBA is a collaboration agreement for the establishment and operation of the Local Care Organisation, as a formal alliance of organisations which have agreed to work together in a single delivery and accountability structure.  The new agreement marks a further stage in the development of a Local Care Organisation (LCO) to become a free standing and separate legal entity with a target date of the year 2020/21. Until then it will remain a contractual alliance between the participating bodies including the Council.

The six partners are; BARDOC, GP Federation, Council, Bury VCFA, Northern Care Alliance and Pennine Care; talks are ongoing with a potential seventh partner, Persona.

The MBA will drive development and improvements to the way health and care services are commissioned and delivered in Bury.

The Northern Care Alliance NHS Group will be the host body for the year 2019/20. The status of the staff employed by the participating bodies remains unchanged as does existing contracts. Certain functions are therefore delegated to the LCO and a number of matters are reserved to the respective participating bodies, including the Council.

The LCO Chief Officer outlined the key areas to note within the 2019 MBA:

a)   Explicit statements of what services are in scope and under the operational management of the LCO

b)   Clarity on the governance and accountability arrangements to support operational management, underpinned by a workforce protocol

c)   Clarity on the investment agreement between the Bury Local Care Organisation

d)   Explicit statements of delegations and reserved powers from each of the partner organisations

e)   Principles of risk and reward share

Those present were invited to ask questions and the following issues were raised.

Responding to a Member’s question, the Chief Officer reported that the LCO’s governance arrangements are still being developed and this would include a review of Board members including Council representation.  In terms of the amounts of money that will be delegated to this new organisation initially it is envisaged there will be £8 million from Adult Social Care, £17 million community services and a further £120 million from other services.

Transformation monies from Greater Manchester will be utilised in the establishment of the LCO and the OCO.  It is envisaged that these organisations will transform and align the Council and CCG commissioning functions.

The Chief Officer reported that she does not anticipate the proposed changes will result in a reduced workforce.  The transformation changes which include the development of integrated neighbourhood teams and intermediate tiers of support will allow for greater staff progression and development. Staff will be provided with opportunities to work in partner organisations.

With regards to concerns about creating another layer of bureaucracy, the LCO Chief Officer reported that the creation of the LCO will hopefully minimise bureaucracy by aligning single line management structures, process and ultimately IT systems.

It was agreed:

The LCO Chief Officer be thanked for her attendance and invited to attend a subsequent meeting of the Health Scrutiny Committee.