Essex Cares bidding for PCT role
Author: Local Government Chronicle |
Essex County Council’s new social care trading company could earn the authority upwards of £3m a year in dividends and may take over the running of some local PCT services, bosses have revealed.
The county has transferred 850 staff to Essex Cares this year and expects to deliver services more closely in touch with the social care personalisation agenda to both council-supported and self-funded residents.
Group managing director Mike Walsh said the company had submitted a declaration of interest to South West Essex PCT, which is currently putting its provider services out to tender, and could offer services across county borders.
He said it was also expected to return dividends of around 10% of its annual turnover – currently estimated to be around £30m – to sole shareholder Essex CC.
As the country’s first social-care based local authority trading company, Essex Cares will combine the council’s former community support services – including day care, domiciliary care and re-ablement services – andthe county’s former equipment service.
It also includes employment and inclusion services for people with learning disabilities.
Mr Walsh said local authority trading company status gave Essex Cares more flexibility to market its services in addition to catering to its current 10,000 service users, leaving the council with a “commissioning based” role.