Decision Maker:

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: October 17, 2025

Purpose:

Content: Salford City Council - Record of Decision (Cabinet) Part 1 I Paul Dennet, City Mayor, in exercise of the powers contained within the City Council Constitution do hereby approve:   1.    the repatriation of Salford City Council Adult Social Care services (the Services) currently delivered by Northern Care Alliance (NCA) and Greater Manchester Mental Health Foundation Trust (GMMH) to the Council by [30th September 2026] or such other date as shall be agreed between the Council and NCA and GMMH following consultation with the Chief Executive, the City Mayor and Lead Member for Adults and Health Partnerships;   2.    that the Executive Director of Adult Social Care and Health Partnerships (DASS), in consultation with City Mayor, Cabinet Member, Chief Finance Officer and City Solicitor, agrees and negotiates a date for repatriation of the Services from NCA and GMMH (the NCA/GMMH Services) as necessary;  3.    that the DASS, in consultation with City Mayor, Lead Member for Adults and Health Partnerships, City Solicitor and Chief Financial Officer, extends the current contractual arrangements (which will end on 1 April 2026)  for the delivery of the NCA/GMMH Services between the Council and the NCA and between the NCA and GMMH to 30th September 2026 (or such other date as shall be agreed);   4.    the City Solicitor enters into appropriate legal agreements for access to information required from NCA/GMMH as part of due diligence (including but not limited to a Memorandum of Understanding, NDA/Confidentiality Agreement and Data/Information Sharing Agreement);  5.    that the DASS, in consultation with City Mayor, Lead Member for Adults and Health Partnerships, Chief Finance Officer and City Solicitor, agrees and makes requisite changes to current service provision and effectively manage, co-ordinate and oversee the repatriation of the NCA/GMMH Services and the repatriation of the Salford City Council Adults Social Care Services currently delivered by Aspire (Aspire Services);  6.      that the DASS, in consultation with City Mayor and Lead Member for Adults and Health Partnerships, undertakes all relevant due diligence for the safe repatriation of the NCA/GMMH Services and the Aspire Services, and undertakes any and all actions needed resulting from due diligence, in consultation with Chief Finance Officer, Chief Executive and City Solicitor to give effect to recommendation 1 to repatriate the delivery of the NCA/GMMH Services to the Council by 30 September 2026 (or such other date as shall be agreed); 7.      that the DASS undertakes all requisite procurement exercises and the consequential award of contracts, in consultation with the Deputy City Mayor (Cllr Youd), Lead Member for Adults and Health Partnerships, City Solicitor and Chief Financial Officer, for external legal and other professional support services as deemed necessary with regards to the due diligence exercise for the efficient and effective repatriation of NCA/GMMH Services referred at recommendation 1, to support and advise the Council with the negotiation, preparation and entry into all requisite legal agreements and associated documents in accordance with recommendation 8, and to provide any additional advice and support needed in relation to Adult Social Care functions, linked to the repatriation of services, and to the discharge of statutory functions. Such procurement is to be undertaken in compliance with the Procurement Act 2023 and the Council’s Constitution setting out the Contractual Standing Orders (unless otherwise varied by these recommendations);  8.    that the City Solicitor, in consultation the DASS and Chief Financial Officer, negotiates, prepares and enters into all requisite legal agreements and associated documents to give effect to all the above approvals;  9.    that the DASS and Director of HR/OD deals with any and all workforce related matters and issues connected with the repatriation of the NCA/GMMH Services, and the Aspire Services including (but not limited to) compliance with TUPE regulations, sponsorship licencing requirements, staff engagement, and engagement with the Trade Unions;  10. that call-in will be waived;  11. that the DASS will provide periodic updates to Cabinet on this Programme including to the relevant scrutiny committee (as appropriate/required).    The Reasons are: The approach and recommendations as set out above enables the implementation of a previous Cabinet decision of April 2025, which approved the creation of an in-house service model for the direct delivery of all services currently provided by Aspire for Intelligent Care and Support and support the safe transition of Adult Social Care services currently provided by the Northern Care Alliance and Greater Manchester Mental Health Foundation Trust following formal notification received on 31 July 2025 from the Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Care Alliance (NCA), advising of their intention to repatriate Adult Social Care (ASC) services currently delivered under contract with Salford City Council.   Options considered and rejected were: There are no viable alternative options.   Assessment of Risk: The risks and mitigations are detailed in the part 2 report.   The source of funding is within the current contract value.   Legal Advice obtained: Yes Contact Officer, Surjit – City Solicitor Details of the legal advice obtained are detailed in the part 2 report. Financial Advice obtained: Yes Contact Officer, Rachel Rosewell S151 Officer Details of the financial advice obtained are detailed in the part 2 report   Procurement Advice obtained:  Yes Contact Officer, Anthony Hilton, Strategic Head of Procurement Details of the procurement advice obtained are detailed in the part 2 report   HR Advice obtained: Yes Contact Officer Samantha Betts, Director of Human Resources and OD Details of the HR advice obtained are detailed in the part 2 report.   Climate Change Advice obtained: NA   The following documents have been used to assist the decision process: The relevant documents contain exempt or confidential information and are not available for public inspection Contact Officer:  Donna Dean                               Telephone number: 07827 321 205   The decision is urgent and is not subject to call-in, in accordance with the Decision Making Procedure Rules. The Chair of Health and Adults Scrutiny Panel has agreed that this report is exempt from call in due to urgency, having taken advice from the Deputy City Solicitor.   Signed:         Paul Dennett                       Dated: 20.10.25                         City Mayor   For Democratic Services use only This decision was published on 20.10.25.                        This decision is not subject to call-in and will come in force with immediate effect.