Issue - meetings

Recommendations: That the Executive:

i.     Approve North Yorkshire County Council’s participation in the Trailblazer Programme. and

ii.    Delegate  authority to the Corporate Director for Health & Adult Services in consultation with Corporate Director Strategic Resources and Executive Members for Health & Adult Services & Finance to consider and exercise any opting out at the appropriate stages should it be deemed appropriate.

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director – Health and Adult Services to update the Executive on the opportunity to participate in the Adult Social Care Charging Reform Trailblazer Programme and request approval for early adoption.

County Councillor Michael Harrison presented the report, outlining that the Council had been invited by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to join a pilot scheme as one of the first five local authorities in the country. The benefits to the County Council of taking part in the Trailblazer programme include being able to trial and influence how the scheme is implemented nationally in the future, and it is hoped that by participating in the pilot, the benefits of the Trailblazer programme for residents could be seen earlier in North Yorkshire ahead of a national roll-out. It was noted that there are risks to participating in the scheme for health and adult social care services, but there are a number of review points scheduled to check on progress.

The Corporate Director – Health and Adult Services added that the five local authorities approached to take part in the pilot were of different economic, geographical and care market characteristics, to see how the Trailblazer programme worked across different sites. It was also noted that review points are scheduled between the Council and the DHSC for the pilot scheme in August and November 2022, with an additional review point also agreed following the May 2022 elections. At any of these points, the Council, or DHSC, could choose to withdraw from the Trailblazer if the financial/service risks are too great or the model is not workable.

County Councillor Andrew Lee expressed his support for the Trailblazer programme, in particular the ability to shape future policy by being involved as part of the pilot scheme.

Resolved: That the Executive:

i.                Approve North Yorkshire County Council’s participation in the Trailblazer Programme and

ii.         Delegate authority to the Corporate Director for Health & Adult Services in consultation with Corporate Director Strategic Resources and Executive Members for Health & Adult Services & Finance to consider and exercise any opting out at the appropriate stages should it be deemed appropriate.