Issue - meetings

A report from the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care is attached. This proposes the establishment of a Local Authority Trading company. (Report No. 142, agenda part two also refers). (Key decision – reference number 4194)

(Report No.136)

(8.50 – 8.55 pm)

Councillor Ahmet Oykener (Cabinet Member for Housing and Housing Regeneration) left the meeting for the discussion of this item (Minute No.2 above refers).

Councillor Alev Cazimoglu (Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care) introduced the report of the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care (No.136) proposing the establishment of a Local Authority Trading company, wholly owned by the London Borough of Enfield, to commence trading in April 2016.

NOTED

1.               That Report No.142 also referred as detailed in Minute No.21 below.

2.               That a tabled note was provided to Members at the meeting setting out the Local Authority Trading Company Pension implications (containing exempt information to be considered as part of Report No.142, Minute No.21 below refers), which would be subject to recommendations 2.3 and 2.5 of the report and ensuring that the pension information did not have any impact on the business case.

3.               That the proposals set out in the report would provide greater choice and control whilst maximising the commercial options available. A working group had been established to consider all of the proposed options. Thanks were expressed to the members of the working group for their input in the process.

4.               The recommended way forward was felt to be the best opportunity available to the Council at this time. Members supported the recommendations detailed in the decisions below together with the tabled information.

Alternative Options Considered: NOTED that there were many options open to Councils to sell their services, develop staff and raise income. Thus, the trading company was one of a number of options explored as part of the Council’s changing needs and priorities. Other considerations had included:

·       shared service opportunities with other Councils and wider organisations

·       development of staff owned mutual

·       establishing a charity from in house provision

·       trading via social enterprise

·       external tender – contracting out council provision

·       retaining in house provision

(Section 4 of the report referred)

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed

1.               Subject to consultation, to establish a Local Authority Trading Company formed from Independence and Well Being Services.

2.               That the Trading Company be registered under the name Independence and Well Being Services Ltd.

3.               That the transfer of services to the Trading Company be agreed by the Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care and other involved Members, in consultation with the Trading Company’s Board of Directors, in accordance with the Council’s Scheme of Delegation, with a report coming back to Cabinet after six months.

4.               That the governance and legal structures of the Trading Company – including the day to day management of performance and budgets and the structure and membership of the Board of Directors – be established as outlined in the body of the report with a further progress report in six months’ time.

5.               That the Trading Company undergoes a comprehensive review of performance following three years in operation.

Reason: That the trading company be established under the name Independence and Well Being Services Ltd. and, that the transfer of services to the Trading  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10