Issue - meetings

To approve a procurement strategy to undertake a competitive tender to re-commission home care services to establish a series of demand led, geographically based contracts aligned to the development of neighbourhood working and local care networks.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the procurement strategy outlined in the report be approved, namely:

a)  to undertake a competitive tender to re-commission home care services to establish a series of demand led, geographically based contracts aligned to the development of neighbourhood working and local care networks

b)  that the contracts once awarded will be for a term of five years from 1July 2016, with provision to extend the contracts for a further two one year extensions.

2.  That it be noted as set out in paragraph 71 of the report, that the initial market testing and development phase of the procurement will be used to determine the optimum configuration of the contracts that meet operational service requirements in relation to:

a)  Service quality and continuity

b)  Provision of robust back up service delivery arrangements

c)  Provision of specialist support including culturally specific care needs

d)  Partnership working arrangements across the series of contracts

e)  Provision for the council to be able to commission care and support services to extra care housing from the contracts as required.

3.  That decisions in respect of the optimum configuration of contracts be delegated to the strategic director of children’s and adults’ services.

4.  That it be noted that the projected maximum estimated annual contract value for these contracts is £24 million (currently £18m), which will be met by existing social care budgets, and from NHS funding to the Local Authority, from the Better Care Fund and under agreements arising from integration, in line with the Care Act 2014.

5.  That it be noted that in line with the existing contract terms a further gateway 3 report will be brought forward to exercise a further and final one year extension to 30 June 2016 to allow time for procurement of home care services to be completed.