The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing reported on an update on the current situation on the Health Board boundary change in April 2019.

The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing informed Cabinet that whilst the disruption to general services may not be as significant as that experienced by the Health Boards, the boundary changes impact on a number of the Council’s services.  Due to the need to protect Bridgend services during this potentially disruptive time and to secure continuity in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg region after 1 April 2019, a structured approach has been taken to the disaggregation of regional services which has required close working with a range of partners to ensure that where regional funding supports integrated services, such services are accounted for between Western Bay, ABMU Health Board and the Council. 

The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing informed Cabinet that in order to plan for the changes in regional boundaries, a Transition Programme has been established comprising officers from the two Health Boards, the Council and the Third Sector.  She highlighted the governance structure for the new partnership arrangements to be effective from 1 April 2019.  She stated that a set of principles were agreed by partners at the onset to underpin the work of the Transition Programme and form the basis by which all partners would hold themselves and each other to account for delivery of the required changes.  The principles were set in the context of a commitment to maximise the opportunity to improve the health and wellbeing of the population served by the organisations. 

The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing also reported that all joint funding arrangements between BCBC and ABMU have been identified and it was estimated that BCBC currently receives more than £5m from ABMU in relation to these arrangements.  It has been agreed in principle that any jointly funded financial arrangements will not be adversely affected by the planned boundary changes and transitional plans.  The Council will continue to have joint funding arrangements in place with both Swansea Bay and Cwm Taf Morgannwg regions after the health boundary changes take effect.  The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing informed Cabinet that Integrated Care Funding and Substance Misuse Action Funding have been disaggregated to separate out the Bridgend locality apportionment which would then go to the Cwm Taf Morgannwg region in time for the new financial year 2019/20 and agreement had been sought from the two Regional Partnership Boards.  The Welsh Government had made available an additional £30m of ICF revenue funding made available across Wales, of which Bridgend will receive an estimated £1.3m.  Capital funding of £1.5m in 2019/20 and £11.8m in 2020/21 had been identified for the Bridgend locality. 

The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing reported that it was envisaged there would not be any adverse financial implications on the two polled fund arrangements due to the boundary change.  She highlighted the services in scope to be transferred to the new region on 1 April 2019. 

The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing also reported that the health board boundary change will have a significant impact on regional partnership arrangements under the Social Services and Well-being Act 2014, which requires local authorities to make arrangements to promote co-operation with relevant partners and others in relation to adults with needs for care and support, carers and children.  This Council as a member of the Western Bay Regional Partnership Board has entered into a number of formal and informal partnership arrangements and it would need to disaggregate from those arrangements and enter into new arrangements with partners in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg region.  Work was also taking place to withdraw from the Western Bay Regional Partnership Board, while Bridgend has been invited to sit on Boards in the Cwm Taf region. 

The Leader thanked the Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing and the Team for the work undertaken in advance of the health board boundary change.  The Cabinet Wellbeing and Future Generations commented on the very diligent process which had been undertaken and for the collaboration with the Third Sector. 

The Deputy Leader requested clarification of the funding to support the transitional work streams.  The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing commented that £80k of funding had been secured from ABMU which was being used to project manage the transition as well as strong legal and financial support. 

RESOLVED:           That Cabinet:                    

1)             noted the approach and progress made to date;

2)             noted the Regional name changes;

3)            agreed the nomination of the Leader of Bridgend County Borough Council, the Cabinet Member for Social Services and Early Help, the Cabinet Member for Wellbeing and Future Generations and Corporate Director of Social Services and Wellbeing to represent Bridgend County Borough Council on the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Regional Partnership Board and delegated the appointment of any non-local authority and non-health board members of the Regional Partnership Board to the nominated members of the Council in conjunction with representatives of the other Local Authorities and the Local Health Board;

4)            approved the list of services transferring in April 2019 and those that were transitioning through 2019/20.

delegated authority to the Corporate Director for Social Services and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer and Head of Legal and Regulatory Services, to enter into any necessary agreements to novate or transfer all ongoing contractual arrangements with ABMU to Cwm Taf Health Board.