Trafford Council has secured funding from the Local Government Association (LGA) to develop a new trading company, in partnership with public services provider Amey.
The Council and Amey plan to combine their expertise from the public and private sectors, and together consider potential new business opportunities within health and social care organisations in England and Wales.
Trafford Council will bring service-specific knowledge in adult social care, as well as expertise and experience of providing services to communities, together with a proven track record in citizen engagement and quality assurance. Meanwhile, Amey brings six awards in human resources, as well as specialist knowledge of tendering for new business, managing programmes of work, transformation, logistics and investment.
Trafford Council and Amey will use their collective experience and expertise to develop the new model. They will also share best practice and support other councils and NHS bodies in their efforts to integrate health and social care services.
The involvement of local communities and service users throughout the process is regarded as a vital component, and this approach has already gained the council national recognition. With the need to make efficiencies and draw in additional monies continuing, the importance of ensuring Trafford remains a dynamic, innovative and efficient council cannot be over-emphasised; we aim to transform services, generate income and create new opportunities for staff through this venture.
Trafford Council Chief Executive Theresa Grant said: “This announcement is great news not just for the council but local residents and businesses. We are already seeing our innovative approaches to partnership working, shared services and our commitment to providing the best possible, value-for-money services paying dividends.
“This funding is an exciting and valuable opportunity to further develop this model, working with a private sector partner. Trafford is determined to obtain the best possible benefit from this programme and I look forward to seeing this exciting project place the borough as a market-leader in this area.”
Mel Ewell, Chief Executive of Amey, said: “With local authority budgets under increasing pressure, Amey is pleased to be working with Trafford Council on an innovative new model for delivering social care services.
“This funding from the LGA will support the development of a partnership that brings together leading expertise in service delivery from the public and private sectors.”