Agenda item

A report from the Executive Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care will be circulated as soon as possible. (Report No.70, agenda part two also refers). (Key decision – reference number 4555)

(Report No.67)

(8.45 – 8.50 pm)

TO FOLLOW

Councillor Alev Cazimoglu (Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care) introduced the report of the Executive Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care (No.67) regarding the commissioning of new prevention and early intervention contracts.

NOTED

1.               That Report No.70 also referred as detailed in Minute No.20 below.

2.               The significant work which had been undertaken to deliver the best possible early intervention support for Enfield residents in partnership with the voluntary sector. Members noted the real pressures on Council resources and the need to deliver good early intervention support to help a growing number of people to maintain their health, wellbeing and independence for longer. The voluntary sector had a key role to play in that. The Council had worked with its partners in the voluntary sector throughout the process to co-produce a set of priorities and a service model which reflected the needs of local people. There had been a focus on:

·       More support for carers

·       True independent living

·       Improved health and wellbeing

·       Giving more vulnerable people a voice that is heard

·       Recovering from illness with safe and appropriate hospital discharges

·       The availability of good, accessible information

·       With all of the above underpinned by a focus on reducing social isolation for the Borough’s more vulnerable residents

3.               It had been inevitable that some organisations had been unsuccessful in bidding for these contracts. For some smaller voluntary sector organisations the Council funding represented their sole source of funding and without it, would find it difficult to continue. Therefore, the Council would be working with these organisations to provide some additional practical and financial support. This would mean continued funding at the same level as was currently provided whilst providing immediate and targeted support from the Council, EVA (Enfield Voluntary Action) and other specialist organisations where needed. This support would provide training, develop new and more sustainable business models and a focus on innovation.

4.               That the new models of support would encourage collaborative working, new ways of thinking, sharing of information and good practice. The new contracts would provide funding for up to 7 years, as detailed in the report, subject to satisfactory performance.

5.               Councillor Cazimoglu commended the report to the Cabinet and expressed her appreciation to all who had been involved in the process. Particular thanks were expressed to Doug Wilson, Head of Strategy and Service Development, and his team.

6.               Councillor Yasemin Brett welcomed the report and the support that would continue to be provided, as set out in the report.

7.               In the light of a discussion of the part two report (Minute No.20 below referred), it was noted that the extension of the contracts would be dependent on them still meeting needs of the Borough’s residents and the Council’s objectives.

Alternative Options Considered: NOTED, that there had been three options available to the Health, Housing and Adult Social Care Service Development Stream: 1. To continue to fund existing contracts with a percentage reduction across all organisations to provide the £500,000 saving; 2. Tender a number of contracts with specified deliverables; and, 3. Tender fewer contracts in a consortium, outcomes based approach.

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed:

1.               To approve the Prevention and Early Intervention funding tender award of the following:

·       Outcome One: Helping People Continue Caring in Enfield Carers Centre (consortium lead) to the value of £348,985

·       Outcome Two: Supporting vulnerable adults to remain living healthily and independently in the community including avoiding crises to Age UK (consortium lead) to the value of £270,000

·       Outcome Three: Supporting people to improve their health and wellbeing/improving self-management to CommUNITY Barnet to the value of £129,241

·       Outcome Four: Helping Vulnerable Adults to have a voice to Enfield Disability Action to the value of £165,000

·       Outcome Five: People recover from illness, safe and appropriate discharge from hospital to Greek Cypriot Community of Enfield (consortium lead) to the value of £120,000

·       Outcome Six: Increased and improved information provision to CommUNITY Barnet to the value of £212,425

2.               To agree contract length of 3 years (plus 2 plus 2 dependent on performance).

3.               To approve exploring the option of using council information systems and equipment to the Lead Provider of each outcome area

And that Cabinet give approval to Officers to:

4.               Agree funding to organisations that previously received funding but submitted unsuccessful bids, to support them to develop alternative sustainable models providing preventative services.

5.               To set aside funds to support the above and enable a time limited grants programme, to support VSC organisations to develop self-sustaining projects.

6.               Require that services recognise the specific needs of BME residents.

Reason: NOTED, the detailed reasons for the recommendations as set out in section 5 of the report.

(Key decision – reference number 4555)