Agenda item

The Committee considered a report updating Members on the progress within the Adult Commissioning and Contract function.

It was reported that in March, 2018, Cabinet approved the proposals regarding the re-commissioning of 30 contracts which were due to expire in this financial year. Further details with regard to the activity of the Commissioning and Contracts team was highlighted within paragraph 8 of the report.

Following the introduction of the report, the Committee were given the opportunity to make comments and ask questions as follows:-

Kathryn Smart welcomed the progress report and commented that paragraph 8 showed real progress. She  asked whether there were any other key risks still to be addressed that had not been progressed. Denise Bann, Strategic Lead for Adults, Health and Wellbeing Commissioning and Contracts reported that the Team were fully focussed. She reiterated that in March, Cabinet had approved the proposals regarding the re-commissioning of 30 contracts which were due to expire and was pleased to announce the appointment of two permanent Heads of Service. She was also happy to inform members that since the last report there had been no further breaches to the CPR’s and the number of waivers had also decreased.

The Chair, Councillor Austen White commented on the positive aspects of the report, however, sought explanation in relation to the slippage with regard to the Solar Centre stating he and the Committee were a little dismayed. He asked what the reasons were for the slippage, what support could be offered and what assurance could be given to bring the issue to a conclusion. Damian Allen reported to members that work was continuing with Partners i.e CCG, Rdash and South Yorkshire Homes in relation to consultation on the residential homes and it was envisaged that a report would be submitted to Cabinet next month on this issue. He stated that many residents within the homes use the day care service provided at the Solar Centre and an outcome with regard to the centre was very much dependent on the outcome of procuring the residential home contract. Damian pointed out that it was hoped that this would have been concluded by June, 2018, however, the service was slightly in arrears of that timescale. He stated that it was dependent on the residential homes contract being re-procured and it was an expectation that a conclusion could be met by the end of this current financial year.

In response to the Chair’s question regarding timescales for the temporary agreement outlined at paragraph 11 of the report, Damian Allen reported that the nature of the provision within the Solar Centre was of highly complex needs and there was a mixed economy of use within the centre. He commented that all reviews were due to be completed by Christmas/New Year and whilst the council were in receipt of all the information and requirements needed, there was a need to procure for a more specialist day care provision, which may or may not be with the existing provider.

RESOLVED that the information, progress and actions made by the Commissioning and Contracts function in Adults Health and Wellbeing (AH&W) be noted.