Agenda item

The Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care, and Wellbeing considered the report which noted that the NHS North Central London Integrated Care Board (ICB) intended to make a grant of £3.152 million to the council to support a range of social care projects using its powers under S256 of the NHS Act 2006. As the grant was over £0.5 million, a Cabinet or Cabinet Member decision was required to accept the grant. It was also noted that, within the Cabinet’s 2023/24 budget proposals being considered by Council on 2 March 2023, there was a scheme to contribute to the Welbourne Health Centre project. This contribution would be made through a S76 agreement under the NHS Act 2006. Delegations to officers were required to enter into both agreements as attached to the report.

In response to a question from the Cabinet Member, it was explained that a S256 agreement allowed a payment to be made from NHS England or ICBs to local authorities and a S76 agreement allowed a payment to be made from local authorities to NHS England, ICBs, or Integrated Care Partnerships (ICPs).

It was explained that the main reason for this decision was to help the NHS deliver the Welbourne Health Centre project by enabling them to have the funding in the next financial year. It was clarified that the Council was not providing any of its own funding to deliver the centre but would be receiving funding from the NHS which would then be allocated in the next financial year.

The Cabinet Member asked whether there were any anticipated issues preventing the decision from going ahead. It was confirmed that the proposals had been checked by the Council’s legal and finance teams and there was written confirmation from the ICB Finance Director and officers were confident that this was a valid and acceptable form of transaction. The Cabinet Member also consulted with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Local Investment prior to the decision being taken.

The Cabinet Member RESOLVED

Pursuant to Contract Standing Order 9.07 and Contract Standing Order 16.02, and after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Local Investment:

1.    To agree to accept the grant of £3.152 million from the NHS North Central London Integrated Care Board (ICB); and

2.    To delegate authority to the Director of Adults, Health & Communities to enter into the S256 agreement for social care projects as set out in Appendix 1; and

3.    To delegate authority to the Director of Adults, Health & Communities, subject to the Council’s budget setting meeting on 2March 2023, to enter into the S76 agreement as set out in Appendix 2 to make a contribution to the Welbourne Health Centre project of £3.152 million.

Reasons for decision

The intention of the NHS North Central London ICB to make a grant to the Council to support a range of social care projects requires a Cabinet Member decision in accordance with Contract Standing Order 9.07.

The intention of the Council to make a contribution to the Welbourne Health Centre similarly requires a Cabinet Member decision in accordance with Contract Standing Order 9.07 and Contract Standing Order 16.02.

Alternative options considered

There is an option to not accept the grant from the NHS North Central London ICB.

There is an option to not make the contribution to the Welbourne Health Centre project.

These options have been discounted as they would likely result in health centre project not proceeding. There is a very pressing need to ensure that the Health Centre is provided in an area of high need and entering into these arrangements is considered to be in the best interest of the Haringey residents.