To agree the council's registered services nominated individual responsibility is transferred over to Hoople Limited.

Councillor Hitchiner declared a conflict of interest as a non-executive director of Hoople Ltd, relinquished the chair and left the room for the duration of this item.

The director of resources and assurance also declared a conflict of interest as a non-executive director of Hoople Ltd and left the room for the duration of this item.

(Councillor Harvey as deputy leader of the council assumed the chair for consideration of this item.)

The cabinet member health and adult wellbeing introduced the report and set out the key objectives of the transfer.

Cabinet members noted that staff impacted by the transfer had been given prior notice and that the transfer was expected to build on the improvements that previous in-sourcing had already delivered. The transfer was a positive move for the council, the care services market and for Hoople in broadening its service base.

Group leaders and representatives presented the comments and queries of their groups. It was noted that:

·       There was general support for the improvements to delivery of services;

·       The audit and governance committee would have oversight of Hoople performance;

·       Hoople Care would be quality assured in the same way as all independent providers;

·       Hoople Care was expected to have lower operating costs than the council due to the fixed overheads.

It was resolved that:

a)           Cabinet approves the formal transfer of registered social care provider services to Hoople Care, as part of Hoople Limited and;

b)           the transfer of council staff employed in the registered services to the employment of Hoople Ltd under TUPE regulations is approved and;

c)           Authority is delegated to the Acting Corporate Director for Community Wellbeing to make all operational arrangements necessary for the implementation of the transfer, including the transfer of staff under TUPE regulations.

(Councillor Hitchiner resumed the chair.)