Issue - meetings

This report provides a summary of the planning underway in developing and evaluating the Integrated Business Plan for the Community Equipment Loan and Warden Call/Telecare Service (CELTAS) to become a social enterprise. 

RESOLVED:  i)   That Cabinet agree to the establishment of the Council’s  first social enterprise and to:

ii)  Create a mutual, Social Enterprise organisation to provide the Warden Call/CELS service in shadow form to facilitate smooth transition.

iii)  Form a Community Interest Company,(in the form of a Company Limited by Guarantee) for the reasons described in sections 4 and 5 of the report.

iv)  Provide a further report on progress in December 2013 to seek confirmation of a 1 April 2014 start date for the new organisation

REASON:           To create a viable social enterprise opportunity that will provide services to a wider customer base whilst providing value for money to the council.  

Consideration was given to a report which outlined the business case for the creation of a Community Equipment Loan and Warden Call/Telecare Service social enterprise.

The report asked Cabinet to approve the following:

·        the proposed governance structure and legal form

·        to proceed initially in shadow form to facilitate a smooth transition

·        and receive a further report in December 2013 to update on progress and seek approval for a 1 April 2014 start date for the social enterprise.

Details of the consultation carried out with staff were outlined at paragraph 9 and details of the options considered for the governance structure and legal form were contained at paragraphs 22 to 29. The best option was considered to be a Community Interest Company, in the form of a Company Limited by Guarantee.

Members noted the comments made by the Union representative on this item and:

RESOLVED:  i)   That Cabinet agree to the establishment of the Council’s  first social enterprise and to:

ii)  Create a mutual, Social Enterprise organisation to provide the Warden Call/CELS service in shadow form to facilitate smooth transition. ¹

iii)  Form a Community Interest Company,(in the form of a Company Limited by Guarantee) for the reasons described in sections 4 and 5 of the report.

iv)  Provide a further report on progress in December 2013 to seek confirmation of a 1 April 2014 start date for the new organisation. ²

REASON:           To create a viable social enterprise opportunity that will provide services to a wider customer base whilst providing value for money to the council.