Minutes:
1. Mr Lobban introduced the report and explained that, unfortunately, it had not been possible to publish a report with the agenda because a complex programme to align the renewal of the various community support services to implement the Your Life Your Wellbeing Strategy had proved impossible to complete in time. Community services which need to be aligned were Homecare, Supporting Independence Service and Housing Related Support. Instead, a staged approach had been adopted, with just the four areas of Housing Related Support services listed – older people’s and community alarms, people with learning and/or physical disabilities, people with mental health needs and homelessness and offenders - being taken forward separate to Home Care and Supporting Independence Service so contracts could be continued by 31 March 2017, ensuring continuity of service. He advised Members that work to align and integrate service delivery would continue. He advised the committee that a key decision would be taken under the procedures for urgency which were set out in appendix 4 part 6 of the County Council’s constitution.
2. The Cabinet Member, Mr Gibbens, added that he regretted having to submit a late report and take an urgent decision but he had simply not felt able to report the required level of detail about the whole programme in time to accompany the agenda. He offered a briefing on the issues concerned to any Member who requested one.
3. Mr Ireland emphasised the service advantages of aligning and integrating service provision but said this may have an impact on savings currently set out in the budget, which would need to be mitigated.
4. In discussion, the following points were raised:
a) the continuation of contracts for the service areas listed was welcomed;
b) in response to a question about engagement with providers, Mr Lobban outlined the preparatory work being undertaken in the four service areas listed and advised that Member support was being sought to start formal market engagement in readiness for the full procurement process.
5. RESOLVED that:-
The decision proposed to be taken by the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, to:
a) agree to continue service provision on the existing terms and conditions through to 30 September 2018 and to approve actions taken by officers to continue service provision through to 31 March 2017, for housing-related support services for the following:
i. older persons’ housing-related support and community alarms
ii. people with learning and/or physical disabilities
iii. homelessness and offenders;
b) agree to continue service provision on the existing terms and conditions through to 30 September 2017 and to approve actions taken by officers to continue service provision through to 31 March 2017, for housing related support services for the following:
i. people with mental health needs
c) delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Social Care, Health and Wellbeing, or other nominated officer, to undertake the necessary actions to implement the decision; and
d) support officers commencing market engagement in readiness for the full procurement process, where required,
be endorsed.