To endorse the principles of the Partnership Agreement (S33) for Western Bay Programme Infrastructure; Authorise the Corporate Director of Social Services and Wellbeing to arrange for the execution of the final version of the Partnership Agreement on behalf of the Council in consultation with the Corporate Director Operational and Partnership Services and the Section 151 Officer; authorise the Corporate Director of Social Services and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Corporate Director, Operational and Partnership Services and the Section 151 Officer, to make any future minor changes to the executed Partnership Agreement.

The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing reported on partnership funding arrangements in relation to the Western Bay programme infrastructure and to establish a pooled fund arrangement hosted by the City and County of Swansea. 

She reported that the Western Bay programme has evolved and is now managing and overseeing a range of collaborative services and activities across the region, with the Regional Partnership Board providing strategic oversight and direction to Western Bay.  The regional partnership arrangements and work programmes are supported by the Western Bay Programme Office, hosted by the City and County of Swansea.  She stated that a Partnership (S33) Agreement will formalise the arrangements for the Programme Office and establish a pooled fund arrangement drawing on the Revenue Support Grant and the Integrated Care Fund. 

The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing reported that the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 has brought about new requirements on partners in the way that services are delivered and the outcomes for citizens.  She stated that Part 9 of the Act specifically brings legislative requirements on partners relating to partnership arrangements and requires local authorities and the health board to make arrangements to promote co-operation with their relevant partners and others, in relation to adults with needs for care and support, carers and children.  It also provides Welsh Ministers with regulation making powers in relation to formal partnership arrangements, resources for partnership arrangements (including pooled funds) and partnership boards.  The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing informed Cabinet there was a statutory requirement for Directors of Social Services to ensure that partnership working arrangements are in place and are delivering improved effectiveness and efficiency in relation to the delivery of care and support services to address care and support needs, and support needs for carers, identified in the population needs assessment.  She stated that the Partnership (S33) Agreement has been developed to reflect the agreed partnership contributions required to support the Western Bay Programme Office in accordance with legislation which enables the Health Board and Local Authorities to pool funds to enable the provision of shared services.

The Cabinet Member Social Services and Early Help in commending the proposal commented on the contribution made by the Council for its part in the Western Bay collaboration.  The Leader hoped that the Council would continue with its good track record on collaboration as it moves to a new collaboration with the Cwm Taf Health Board following the recent announcement by the Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Finance.     

RESOLVED:            That Cabinet:

(1)          Endorsed the principles of the Partnership Agreement (S33) for Western bay Programme Infrastructure, whereby the City and County of Swansea is the host authority, with the three statutory partners of BCBC, Neath Port Talbot CBC, and the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University (ABMU) Health Board, to include a pooled fund for the staffing costs for the Western Bay Programme Office;

(2)          Authorised the Corporate Director of Social Services and Wellbeing to arrange for the execution of the final version of the Partnership Agreement on behalf of the Council in consultation with the Corporate Director Operational and Partnership Services and the Section 151 Officer;

 Authorised the Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Corporate Director Operational and Partnership Services and the Section 151 Officer, to make any future minor changes to the executed Partnership Agreement.