Decision details

Regional Adoption Agency Delegated Authority

Decision Maker: Cabinet (Resources) Panel

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: No

Purpose:

To approve a Regional Adoption Agency.

Decisions:

Councillor Val Gibson presented the report on the detailed case for creating a new Regional Adoption Agency - Black Country Care and Support Services Limited, to be known as Adoption@Heart.  Approval was sought to the proposed governance arrangements, financial model and funding arrangements, and implications for Council staff of the proposal. 

 

The development of RAA was part of the national regionalising adoption programme.  All local authorities were expected to deliver their adoption services through an RAA by 2020.

 

Resolved:

1.     That the establishment of the Regional Adoption Agency (RAA) be approved.

 

2.     That the service design, structure and governance of the RAA as a Local Authority Trading Company, including transfer of staff into the new organisation be approved.

 

3.     That the financial model and funding formula be approved.

 

4.     That the governance arrangements be approved.

 

5.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources and the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People in consultation with the Director of Finance and Director for Children’s Services to make further decisions specifically relating to:

 

a.   The finalisation of arrangements for the delivery of support services to the RAA, ensuring that the ‘back office’ costs are funded by Local Authorities and the RAA has a viable balanced budget.

b.   Cash flows for the RAA.

c.    The development of an agreed funding protocol between the Local Authorities/Trust to enable the functioning of the funding formula, including tolerances and arrangements for spot purchasing to accommodate variations in numbers of placements required. 

d.   Arrangements for transferring budgets to the RAA during the 2018-2019 financial year to minimise exposure of either the Local Authorities or the RAA to risks of overspend.

e.   The development of a risk sharing agreement between the four Local Authorities/Trust and the RAA, with appropriate governance for LAs to hold the RAA accountable.

f.    Authorising Adoption@Heart officer director appointments as appointments to an external body.

g.   Taking any and all decisions including without limitation the approval of all documents to enable the RAA to be incorporated; and

h.   Taking any and all necessary shareholder decisions required following incorporation.

 

6.     That authority be delegated to the Director of Governance, in consultation with the Director of Children’s Services, to enter into and authorise all necessary deeds, contracts and other related documents to implement the above recommendations.

Report author: Emma Bennett

Publication date: 21/03/2018

Date of decision: 20/03/2018

Decided at meeting: 20/03/2018 - Cabinet (Resources) Panel

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