Issue details

Summary

This report will provide the Cabinet with information in relation to the Better Care Fund Plan and its implications for Medway further to revised guidance issued by the Local Government Association and NHS England on 25 July 2014.

The Cabinet will be requested to note the progress made to date in relation to revising the Better Care Fund Plan for submission to the Local Government Association and NHS England by 19 September 2014, given the externally imposed deadlines currently being worked towards.

This report seeks approval from the Cabinet to reinstate delegated authority for the final sign off of the revised plan to the Director of Children and Adult Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Adult Services.

Access to Information

The report together with any other documents being considered (unless they contain exempt information) will be available for inspection 5 clear days before the decision is taken by the Cabinet. Copies are available on the Council's website or requested from Democratic Services Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TR or email democratic.services@medway.gov.uk

If you wish to submit information to the Cabinet about the item please also contact Democratic Services.

It is noted that the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements)(Meetings and Access to Information)(England) Regulations 2012 requires 28 clear days’ notice of the intention to make a key decision. On this occasion it has not been possible to provide this 28 clear days’ notice, therefore, section 10 (General Exception) of the above regulations has been complied with, as sufficient time was needed to fully understand the implications of the revised guidance issued on the 25 July 2014 in relation to the Better Care Fund. It was necessary to seek legal advice regarding whether this constituted a material change and was therefore a matter for Cabinet. The development of Medway’s revised Better Care Fund Plan will be an iterative process, up to the point at which the plan is submitted. The Cabinet is requested to reinstate delegated authority for the final sign off of the revised plan to the Director of Children and Adults Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Adults Services. The externally imposed deadline is 19 September 2014, therefore this cannot be deferred to the next Cabinet meeting on 30 September 2014.