Agenda item

To consider a report from Leeds City Council’s Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support that introduces the draft West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership, Memorandum of Understanding.

The Joint Committee received a report of Leeds City Council’s Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support presenting the draft West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The following were in attendance and contributed to the discussion:

• Anthony Kealy – Locality Director, NHS England)
• Jo Webster – Chief Officer NHS Wakefield CCG and SRO West Yorkshire and Harrogate Stroke Programme
• Tony Cooke – Chief Officer, Health Partnerships, Leeds City Council
• Rachael Loftus – Head of Regional Partnerships, Leeds City Council

Anthony Kealy presented the draft MoU highlighting the following key matters:

·  The MoU set out the agreement between partner agencies on how they intend to work together; the ways of working, financial framework etc although it is not legally binding.

·  The statutory powers and sovereignty of the partner organisations will not be altered by signing the MoU

·  The Partnership Board will be chaired by an elected member and its membership will include two elected Members per local authority (including the Chairs of local Health and Wellbeing Boards) and Chairs of all CCGs and NHS Trusts. 

·  It is intended that the Partnership Board will meet on a quarterly basis

·  Issues currently being considered included the relationships between places and how the social care sector will integrate into the MoU.

Tony Cooke additionally highlighted the engagement undertaken with Local Authorities; the importance of economic health to the health and wellbeing of the community; the role of scrutiny in developing a workforce strategy and consideration of place based support.

The Joint Committee considered the draft MoU and highlighted a range of matters during its discussions, including:

Ø  The governance and membership of the Partnership Board, referencing the West Yorkshire Combined Authority which has a broader membership base.

Ø  The relationship between the Partnership Board and other bodies identified on the overall partnership schematic diagram.

Ø  The relationship between the Partnership Board and local Health and Wellbeing Boards.

Ø  Concern that the proposals were presented from an NHS perspective and further consideration should be given to the role of Local Authority and social care providers.

Ø  The opportunity to report; monitor; and scrutinise the work of the Partnership Board.

Ø  The potential impact of poor financial performance of a particular partner within the Integrated Care System (ICS) and how this would be addressed.

Ø  The need to clarify cross boundary service arrangements and potential relationships with other ICSs.

Ø  Financial costs associated with establishing the ICS and the supporting structures and programmes of work.

Ø  The need for a consultation and communications strategy across the ICS.

Ø  The role of ICT to support partnership working between service providers.

Noting the range of consultation and engagement already undertaken, Members requested sight of the published West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership 2018/19 Communications Plan, highlighted at the meeting.

RESOLVED –

a)  To note the contents of the report and appendices containing the draft Memorandum of Understanding and “Our Next Steps to Better Health and Care for Everyone” January 2018 publication for the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership.

b)  To note the content of the discussions as outlined above.

c)  That a copy of the published West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership 2018/19 Communications Plan be provided to the Joint Committee.