ADD2814 Funding for the Independent Co-Chair of the London Estates Board

1.1    The London Health and Care Devolution Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in November 2017. The MoU confirms a commitment from local partners to work together to accelerate health and care transformation for the benefit of Londoners. Critically, the MoU confirms the willingness of partners to take ‘a shared strategic approach to estates planning’ and also included NHS capital investment decision-making powers. The London Estates Board, supported by the London Estates Delivery Unit (LEDU) was formally established in 2017 on the back of partners’ recognition of the need for transparent and collaborative working on London’s NHS estate. 

1.2    Political oversight of the success of the London Estates Board is provided by the London Health Board, chaired by the Mayor of London.  

1.3    The LEB Co-Chairs as described in section 6 of the London Estates Board Operating Framework are subject to the following appointment process:

•    Eligibility – One of the Co-Chairs must be independent, which is taken to mean that they should not be a director, employee or otherwise affiliated to any of the member organisations listed in Section 6. The other Chair will be an NHS representative for financial accountability purposes.

•    Appointment process – The Chair is to be appointed by the membership organisations, acting by consensus. Prior to appointment, member organisations will be asked to confirm that they are not aware of any reasons as to why the Chair is not eligible to take up post.

•    Term of office – The Chair shall remain in post until they resign or are removed from office. 

•    Grounds for removal from office – The Chair may be removed from office by the member organisations, acting by consensus.

1.4    Since its inception, and in line with the requirements above the London Estates Board has been Co-chaired by Geoff Alltimes CBE. 

1.5    Approval for this expenditure in previous years has been via a Mayoral Decision but as the budget for the LEDU in 2025-26 has been reduced the only programme expenditure requiring a new decision is for payment of the Independent Co-Chairs services.
 

2.1    Key deliverables of the Independent Co-Chair of the LEB, as identified by partners, include but are not limited to:

•    Ensuring that the LEB is able to deliver its obligations in line with the London Estate Board Operating Framework and associated Devolution MOU.

•    To provide Independent Co-Chair services and leadership to the London Estates Board and London Estates Delivery Unit.

•    Provide partnering and strategic and governance support to Integrated Care Board health economies in unlocking issues relating to Primary Care and Community Health estates.

•    Provide advocacy and partnership support to the wider London health care system, integrating with system and political leaders, local government, Greater London Authority and NHS stakeholders.
 

3.1    One of the LEB’s key aims is to increase the supply of housing in London. This will help to address problems such as overcrowding and homelessness, which evidence indicates disproportionately affect specific groups, including Black and Minority Ethnic groups and women. The delivery of high-quality housing will also promote improved health and wellbeing, given evidence of an association between poor housing conditions and poor health.

3.2    The work of the LEDU to improve the quality and flexibility of health care facilities will help address unnecessary variation and poor access to health care services for people in areas of deprivation and in highest need.
 

4.1.    Following a formal consultation period the decision has been taken to disestablish the LEDU at the end of March 2026.  London partners will need to decide on the future Independent Co-Chair arrangements for the LEB beyond this point.

4.2.    There are no conflicts of interest to note for any of those involved in the drafting or clearance of the decision.
 

5.1    Assistant Director’s approval is sought for payment of £30,000 to South East London NHS Integrated Care Board for LEDU Independent Co-Chair’s services. This will be funded from LEDU 2025-26 budget.