This paper describes the current governance for the Herefordshire Public Services (HPS) partnership and proposes revised arrangements for the future, to reflect the national changes to health commissioning and health and well being and the new Clinical Commissioning Group, Herefordshire Health-Care Commissioners (HHCC).  A similar paper is being presented to the NHS Herefordshire Board on 19 October and the HHCC Board on 25 October 2011.

The Deputy Chief Executive presented the report and reminded Cabinet that a steering group for Herefordshire Public Services  (HPS) was first established in 2007.  The following points were made in discussion:

·         This is a partnership between Herefordshire Council and NHS Herefordshire with the HPS steering group providing the main forum for the governance of the partnership.

·         It is appropriate to review the next phase of the partnership in light of the national changes to health commissioning and health and well being and following on from the local elections.

·         The steering group has been effective in monitoring the key partnership activities.  Partnership governance now needs to provide a clear direction for the partnership and be the prime forum for debating key issues around integration and the benefits of the partnership.

·         It is proposed that a new HPS Board is set up to oversee a new three way partnership between Herefordshire Council, NHS Herefordshire and Herefordshire Health-Care Commissioners, which would focus on the needs of Herefordshire and provide value for money.

·         The work plan will focus on future priorities.  Local and national changes has enabled the Clinical Commissioning Group for Herefordshire to be one of the first in the country.

·         In response to a question Cabinet was advised that the Clinical Commissioning Group had been in operation since April 2011, and that it had made good progress in discharging its responsibilities

·         It was added that both local MPs were involved and fully supportive of the  proposals for Herefordshire.

·         It was agreed that Herefordshire was in a unique position and that any concerns related to possible changes the government might propose.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet agreed the establishment of a Herefordshire Public Services Board to oversee the partnership between Herefordshire Council, Herefordshire Health-Care Commissioners and NHS Herefordshire, in accordance with the Terms of Reference and Constitution set out at Appendix A to the report.