Agenda item

Members were presented with an update report with regard to the current situation of the Solar Centre.  The Solar Centre was a day centre for people with learning disabilities and the contract for this provision had expired in 2014 resulting in a CPR Breach which had been in place since.

The report considered by Members provided a backward looking review as to how the breach had occurred and what actions had been identified in terms of preventing future occurrences. The Head of Internal Audit gave a brief introduction to Members as to the history of the report, and the progress made, prior to inviting the Assistant Director of Communities to provide a further update.

A number of actions had been recommended by Internal Audit following its review, and progress was being made in relation to these:-

·         Solar Centre, current situation resolution – allocate responsibility and produce a clear project plan with timescales;

·         A review of all significant current contracts to ensure that full and current legal arrangements were in place;

·         Review of the resourcing of the Adults Plan for dealing with contracts in breach /coming to an end to ensure further breaches were minimised and allocate responsibility and clear reporting lines; and

·         Review of Adults Commissioning / Contracting arrangements

It was reported that a great deal of progress had been made, and more robust governance was now in place with regard to this with a number of joint reviews being undertaken by DMBC, the CCG and RDaSH in order to ensure the best possible outcome. Members noted that there were a number of users of the Solar centre with extremely complex needs, who in the future would continue to need building based services. Further discussions were required with users and their families to ensure provision for service users could be put in place.

            RESOLVED that:-

1)    The Audit Committee note that a project was now well underway which was closely aligned to local transformation priorities, initiatives and partnerships. (Milestones detailed in Appendix A to the report). Specifically the aim is for improved outcomes for people through services that are more aspirational and give greater choice and control for service users;

2)    The Audit Committee note that commissioning decisions on the Solar Centre can only be taken in the context of the broader RDaSH project. Service User reviews and initial ‘best interest decision’ meetings have taken place and this has informed strategic recommendations about future commissioning of services which will be presented to the Joint Board in April 2018; and

3)    The Audit Committee note that Additional project and financial resources have been provided to enable the project to progress. This reflects the priority given to the project by the Council and its partners. Originally it was anticipated that the project would be completed by June 2018. However, delays during the reviews of and engagement with service users means that there will be slippage to the target end date. It was anticipated that work on the project would be completed by December 2018.