Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – CUSTOMERS

To seek Cabinet approval to extend the partnership agreement between Herts Careline and Hertfordshire County Council for a period of five years from 01 April 2026 to 31 March 2031.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:

(1)   Approved the extension of the agreement between Herts Careline and HCC for a period of five years to run from 01 April 2026 to 31 March 2031. This contract will be delivered by way of delegation from HCC to NHC.

(2)   Delegated the operational contractual arrangements and final sign off of the agreement to the Service Director Customers, in consultation with the Executive Member for Community and Partnerships.

REASON FOR DECISIONS:  The existing partnership between Careline and HCC works very well. An extension of the contract will enable us to continue to build on the positive relationship to the benefit of service users across Hertfordshire.

Audio recording – 1 hour 15 minutes 20 seconds

Councillor Val Bryant, the Executive Member for Community and Partnerships, presented the report entitled ‘Extension of Partnership Agreement between Careline and Hertfordshire County Council’ and advised that:

·       This report asked Cabinet to approve to extend the agreement between North Herts Careline and Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) for a period of five years from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031.

·       This contract would continue the delegation of service from HCC to North Herts Council.

·       The current five-year contract would expire on 31 March 2026.

·       The Careline partnership worked well and promoted the wellbeing of the residents of North Hertfordshire.

The following Members asked questions:

·       Councillor Dave Winstanley

·       Councillor Daniel Allen

·       Councillor Ian Albert

Points raised in a debate included:

·       Careline was an invaluable service to the residents of North Hertfordshire.

·       Careline handled 1,500 calls a day as detailed in section 7.1 of the report.

·       Careline was a great example of how local authorities worked together to support communities.

Councillor Dave Winstanley proposed and Councillor Amy Allen seconded, and following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:

(1)   Approved the extension of the agreement between Herts Careline and HCC for a period of five years to run from 01 April 2026 to 31 March 2031. This contract will be delivered by way of delegation from HCC to NHC.

(2)   Delegated the operational contractual arrangements and final sign off of the agreement to the Service Director Customers, in consultation with the Executive Member for Community and Partnerships.

REASON FOR DECISIONS:  The existing partnership between Careline and HCC works very well. An extension of the contract will enable us to continue to build on the positive relationship to the benefit of service users across Hertfordshire.