Agenda item

A report from the Executive Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care and Executive Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services will be circulated as soon as possible. (Report No.140, agenda part two also refers). (Key decision – reference number 4555)

(Report No.135)

(8.20 – 8.25 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 and Executive Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services (No.135).

NOTED

1.               That Report No.140 also referred, as detailed in Minute No.18 below.

2.               That this report followed on from the previous Cabinet report in October 2017 when Cabinet had approved the appointment of organisations/consortia in respect of the Voluntary Community Sector tendering exercise; six contracts had been approved for award.

3.               That following the October Cabinet meeting, it had been agreed with the Overview and Scrutiny Committee that the award of contracts to CommUNITY Barnet in respect of outcomes 3 and 6 would be referred back to Cabinet for further consideration.

4.               That the key issues had related to transparency and confidence regarding CommUNITY Barnet’s supply chain, the detail of which had not been included in the previous Cabinet report but had been included in their bid proposals. The detailed response to the issues raised had been addressed in the part two report (Report No.140, Minute No.18 below referred).

5.               That the procurement exercise had been reviewed by the Council’s Procurement and Commissioning Team, Legal Services and Adult Social Care Department; with Cabinet Members being provided with a number of briefings and additional information. The Procurement and Commissioning Hub had confirmed after a detailed review of the tender submission and evaluation process that a fair, transparent, open and legally compliant procurement process had been followed. Further assurance had also been provided by Legal Services and, confirmation of the importance of ensuring that the Council conducted the evaluation and award of the contract process in a fair, transparent, proportionate and non-discriminatory manner to comply with the Council’s legal obligations.

6.               The recommendations detailed in section 2 of the report were drawn to Members’ attention. In relation to Outcome 3, it was proposed that this part of the procurement be abandoned due to the Council’s continued financial challenges and a need to further review this outcome to better support independent living and avoidance of hospital admissions. Officers would be asked to review with Public Health colleagues and the Enfield CCG how to ensure that the specification could best deliver the objectives of the Council and key stakeholders.

7.               In respect of Outcome 6, it was recommended that the previous Cabinet decision to award the Prevention and Early Intervention Contract to CommUNITY Barnet be confirmed. Members were asked to approve the recommendations and to note the additional information provided in the part two report (Report No.140, Minute No.18 below referred).

8.               Members expressed their support for the proposed way forward and noted the extensive and detailed discussions which had taken place, including involvement of the voluntary sector and public health.

9.               That a number of representatives from and users of Enfield Disability Action (EDA) were present. Members noted that there had been no formal deputation request for this meeting and that it would not be possible for any comments to be received from any of the bidders who had been involved in this process or regarding the bids themselves. Councillor Taylor invited a local resident to address the Cabinet and express her concerns and questions to the meeting. Issues raised included clarification regarding the equality impact assessment undertaken; health and safety issues; and, the need for continued provision in an easily accessible location in the Borough.

10.           The procurement process that had been undertaken was outlined and officers present responded to the issues raised. Services would continue to be provided within the London Borough of Enfield; all bidders had been required to meet health and safety requirements and a full equality impact assessment had been carried out. Extensive consultation and engagement had been carried out with a variety of voluntary sector organisations and groups, including those with sensory impairments. Further detailed responses would be provided to the resident concerned by the relevant Officers.

11.           Members’ attention was drawn to the executive summary of the report which outlined the details of the four outcomes which had previously been approved together with the two remaining outcomes being re-considered in this report.

12.           That the Council would continue to work closely with the voluntary sector and deliver the outcomes that had been jointly worked on. Members highlighted the impact of Government funding policies on service provision and the resulting financial restrictions on the Council.

Alternative Options Considered: As detailed in Report No.140, Minute No.18 below refers.

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed, subject to reviewing the information provided in the part two report (Report No.140, Minute No.18 below referred) to:

1.               Confirm the decision (key decision – reference number 4555) of Cabinet to award the Prevention and Early Intervention funding contract to CommUNITY Barnet for Outcome 6 (Increased and improved information provision) to deliver the service in line with their proposals submitted in their tender submission.

2.               Abandon the procurement process for Outcome 3 (Supporting people to improve their health and wellbeing/improving self-management.

Reason: NOTED, the detailed reasons for the recommendations as set out in section 6 of the report.

(Key decision – reference number 4555)