Councillor Huelin introduced the report and stated that in July 2021 the government had proposed new legislation to increase the level of joined up working between the NHS and local authorities. She explained that this had received royal assent in April 2022, and the report therefore outlined how Thurrock would implement this legislation through the introduction of both an Integrated Care Partnership (ICP) and Integrated Care Board (ICB). She mentioned that both the NHS and local authorities would be equal partners on the ICP, and would be meeting next month to finalise governance arrangements. She felt that Thurrock were already working well with the NHS and hoped that the new ICP would encourage closer working. She stated that recommendation 1.2 asked Cabinet Members to delegate authority to the Director of Public Health to act as a founding representative on the Mid and South Essex ICP, as the partnership required professional experience and knowledge. She added that the Director of Public Health also sat on the Health and Wellbeing Board, so Members would have the chance to discuss the ICP at this forum. Councillor Huelin highlighted page 59 of the report and sought confirmation that the relevant Portfolio Holders had been consulted with. The relevant Cabinet Members confirmed they had been consulted.

Councillor Coxshall felt concerned that there would be no elected Members sitting on the Mid and South Essex ICP, as he felt that partners needed to recognise the democratic nature of local authorities. He asked if the Terms of Reference could come back to Cabinet. Councillor Huelin reassured Councillor Coxshall that she had raised similar concerns with the NHS and been assured that the Health and Wellbeing Board would work with the ICP.

Councillor Johnson highlighted page 76 of the report and felt it was good to see closer partnerships and faster financial alignments to achieve better outcomes. Councillor Huelin echoed these comments and felt that Covid had affected many peoples access to primary care, which had then affected people’s health to a greater degree. She stated that the NHS were aware of this issue and were working with Thurrock on the Better Care Fund.

The Leader also felt concerned that regarding the democratic aspects of the Integrated Care Partnership and Integrated Care Board and wanted to ensure that the new boards included elected member participation. He asked that the report be brought back to Cabinet once governance arrangements had been agreed and asked for this to be included at recommendation 1.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:

1. Noted the key elements of the Health and Care Act 2022 as set out in Section 2 of the report.

2. Agreed to delegate authority to the Director of Public Health to act as the Council’s founding representative to the Mid and South Essex ICP in order to establish the proposed governance arrangements with health and local authority partners. Agreed that the report be brought back to Cabinet once governance arrangements are agreed.

3. Agreed the draft Terms of Reference at Appendix 2 and delegated authority to the Monitoring Officer to make minor changes to these Terms to ensure appropriate governance requirements are met.

4. Noted that the Corporate Director Adults, Housing and Health will sit on the Shadow NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) to represent the Council’s views and interests, and shall continue to sit on the Board as the Councill’s representative when the Board is formally established as a statutory body.

Reason for decision: as outlined in the report
This decision is subject to call-in