The current Joint Working Agreement (JWA) between Halton Borough Council (HBC) and *NHS Cheshire & Merseyside took effect on 1^st April 2020 and is due to expire 31^st March 2023.

This report proposes an extension to the current JWA for a period of 12 months. This allows for a full review of the JWA by the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and HBC. The extended JWA will be updated to reference the new governance arrangements in place, which came into force during 2022/23.

Allocation of funds to provide resources, staffing and IT infrastructure, to meet the increased demands placed on the local authority to comply with the Government funding reforms for adult social care.  This includes personnel resource to fulfil additional Care Act social care needs assessments and associated financial assessments, and IT systems to record progression towards the Care Cap, amongst other new requirements.