To consider the outcome of the recent public consultation within the County concerning the proposal to establish Public Service Trust arrangements in Herefordshire. 

To agree the next stages in the process which will culminate in the completion of a partnership document.

THAT the attached Project Initiation Document and Terms of Reference which were approved by the Primary Care Trust Board on Thursday, 25th January, 2006 be approved as a basis for advancing the work on the Public Service Trust.

It is important that both the Primary Care Trust and the Council now put in place measures which will enable the provisional dates of 1st October, 2007 and 1st April, 2008 to be met.

The alternative option would be for the parties to remain as they currently are, although there would be opportunities for greater integration of the commissioning functions.