Decision details

The service is seeking to develop a social enterprise in the form of a staff led public service mutual which will:

·  Establish a vehicle that can deliver a long term sustainable future for the current service, protecting current high quality services and jobs;

·  Create a socially responsible employer in the city that can deliver ‘good growth’, the Living Wage and raise employment standards in the sector

·  Help mitigate cost pressures that the Council is facing as a result of demographic pressures in learning disability services; and

·  If supported, the proposal will lead to the TUPE transfer of staff from the Council to the Social Enterprise

Executive Board is asked to authorise that formal consultation be undertaken with staff regarding the proposal to establish a social enterprise and, subject to a positive staff response, to establish transitional arrangements

The Director of Adult Social Services submitted a report setting out proposals for the potential development of a social enterprise in the form of a staff-led public service mutual to deliver the Learning Disability Community Support Service. The report sought approval to undertake formal consultation with staff and engagement with a range of stakeholders on the submitted proposals.

The Board thanked all officers who had been involved in the development of this initiative to date and provided unanimous support for the proposals.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the progress made to date in relation to the development of a social enterprise for the Learning Disability Community Support Service, including the production of an Integrated Business Plan; an executive summary of which is attached to the submitted report at Appendix 1, be noted.

(b)  That approval be given to enable formal consultation to be undertaken with staff regarding the proposal to establish a social enterprise and, subject to a positive staff response, approval be given to establish transitional arrangements, as detailed at resolutions (c), (d) and (e) below.

(c)  That full engagement with a wide group of stakeholders including Elected Members, customers and family carers be authorised.

(d)  That the setting up of a Shadow Board to oversee the development of the social enterprise be authorised, which will include membership from the Council.

(e)  That the preparation of a detailed service specification and the negotiation of a contract for services for a period of 5 years, which achieves the balance of benefits and risks for both the Council and the social enterprise, as identified within the submitted report, be authorised.

(f)  That it be noted that (subject to a positive staff response through the consultation process) a further report will be brought to Executive Board, during the transitional arrangements, which will request approval to launch the social enterprise.

(g)  That the next steps be approved as follows:-

·  March – May 2014: Formal consultation on the proposal

·  June 2014: Establishment of shadow arrangements

·  December 2014: Report to Executive Board requesting approval to launch the social enterprise

·  Early 2015: Launch of social enterprise

(h)  That it be noted that the Head of Service for the Learning Disability Community Support Service is the lead officer for this project.

Meetings and engagement events

Elected Members, Staff, Trades Unions, Customers and Carers