Decision details

To agree to proceed with a business plan for the creation of a Local Authority Trading Company from April 2014.

To agree to commence staff and service user engagement on the creation of Local Authority Trading Company from April 2014

To meet both current and future needs of customers and secure the long term sustainability of services:

1.    That the formal exploration of the benefits of establishing a Local Authority Trading Company (LATC) for in-house services be approved in principle, including:

·      Day Services for people with learning disabilities and physical disabilities

·      AboutUs Accessible Learning Team

·      EmployAbility

·      Shared Lives Service

·      Personalisation Team

·      New services to be developed to meet projected demand.

2.    That a more detailed business case be submitted for Cabinet approval in December 2013, including an Equalities Impact Assessment and plans for formal consultation.

Reasons for Decisions

Initial financial analysis indicates that the LATC model offers a potential financial benefit to the Council; derived from the recovery of costs of service delivery and sustained growth with a corresponding income stream to the Council over the next five years.

This structure would also facilitate innovation and the development of new services to meet the needs of a wider range of potential customers, not restricted to those assessed as eligible for Council support, and through the retention of a skilled, experienced, and valued workforce as part of a strong Surrey County Council provider brand.

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Adult Social Care Select Committee]