The Cabinet Member Signing meeting on Thursday 19 March 2026 is scheduled to consider a report on a Section 75 Partnership Agreement. This agreement is a key mechanism for collaboration between the council and the NHS.

Section 75 Partnership Agreement

The meeting is scheduled to consider a report concerning the extension of a Section 75 Partnership Agreement between Haringey Council and NHS NCL ICB. This agreement is a contractual mechanism that allows local authorities and the NHS to implement shared commissioning models. The current agreement, which has been in place since 2017 and initially focused on adult services, was extended in 2018 to include children's services. The existing provision is set to expire at the end of February 2026.

The report outlines the need to establish a new agreement to cover the full financial year of 2025/26 and make provision for 2026/27. This extension is intended to allow for continued lead commissioning arrangements for various adult and children's services and the alignment of budgets for some of these services. The report highlights that the partnership agreement is a requirement for receiving Better Care Funding¹.

The report details that the partnership agreement sets out shared outcomes and objectives, and includes detailed schedules for lead commissioning and pooled budgets for specified care groups. It is noted that the agreement has enabled good working relationships with the NHS in commissioning specialist clinical services. The alternative of exiting the arrangement was considered but dismissed due to the potential dismantling of a framework that supports effective collaboration and the risk of increased pressures on joint contract management and duplication of efforts.

The report also mentions that the services within the Section 75 Partnership Agreement support the delivery of priorities within the council's Corporate Delivery Plan 2024-2026, aiming to align resources for better integration and improved outcomes for residents across care and health. Key outcome areas for children and young people include a best start in life, happy childhoods, and successful futures. For adults, health, and welfare, key outcomes include a healthy and active population, residents connected with the right support at the right time, and vulnerable adults are supported and thriving.

The report indicates that the combined contributions for the agreement total £95.157m, with funding for 2025/26 and 2026/27 to be provided by ICB contributions and the council's Adults Social Care, Public Health, and Children's Social Care and Education budgets. The report also addresses the Public Sector Equality Duty under the Equality Act 2010, stating that the services within the partnership agreement are universal and targeted services designed to meet the needs of vulnerable residents, and are expected to have a positive impact in relation to this duty.

The report recommends that the Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Wellbeing approves the extension of the Section 75 partnership arrangement to cover March 2025/26 and make provision for 2026/27. It also recommends approving the delegation to the Corporate Director of Adults, Housing and Health to negotiate and finalise the terms of the agreement.