Issue - meetings

A report from the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care is attached. This considers proposals for the extension of Home Based Support Service contracts. (Report No.104, agenda part 2 also refers) (Key decision – reference number 3556)

(Report No.103)

(8.40 – 8.45 pm)

Councillor Ahmet Oykener (Cabinet Member for Housing) left the meeting for this item (Minute No.2 above refers).

Councillor Don McGowan (Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Care and Health) introduced the report of the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care (No.103) considering a proposal for the extension of Home Based Support Service contracts.

NOTED

1.         that Minute No.20 also referred, as detailed below;

2.         that the contracts were based on a 3-year period with an option to extend for a further two years. The current contracts were due to expire in June 2013 and this report sought approval to take up the contractual option to extend the current contracts for two years;

3.         that with the expansion of Individualised Budgets and Direct Payment, the level of work with the contracted providers was likely to significantly decline;

4.         that the financial implications were detailed in the part 2 report (Report No.104, Minute No.20 below refers). 

Alternative Options Considered: To allow the contracts to expire in June 2013 and revert to spot purchasing arrangements. This would result in increased process and transaction costs to manage and monitor multiple providers; higher unit cost to the Council; an un-stabilised market rate, diminished control on service quality and the inability to guarantee sufficient supply.

DECISION: The Cabinet

1.         noted the contents of the report and the need to review over the next two years Home Based Support Services in light of the agenda around self directed care;

2.         agreed to consider, review and approve exercising the current contract clause option to extend the contract for a further two years. Cabinet agreed to delegate the final decision to the Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Care and Health and the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care (Minute No.20, decision 2 below also refers).

Reason: The extension of the current contract would: enable the Council to ensure that appropriate contractual and monitoring arrangements were in place whilst services were reviewed in the context of the Personalisation Agenda; stabilise market rates and give greater control on service quality; ensure continuity of care and where possible care staff for vulnerable service users already receiving a service; help stabilise the homecare market by limiting staff migration from one agency to another; provide a robust platform to continue the promotion of self directed support; and, permit the Council to focus resources on other major re-tendering and procurement projects to deliver savings and efficiencies.

(Key decision – reference number 3556)