Agenda and minutes

Councillor Collins.

None.

Of the meeting held on 15 October 2014 (for confirmation)

The Sub-Committee confirmed the minutes of the last meeting held on 15 October 2014 as a correct record and they were signed by the Chair.

Verbal Update

Helen Kearsley-Cree of Nottingham Community and Voluntary Services (NCVS) provided an update for the Sub-Committee on the following issues:

(a)  NVCS have been involved in a number of recent commissioning consultations delivered through the Children and Young People’s Provider Network and the Vulnerable Adults Network. A session was recently held to develop a consortia to support a prime bidder in relation to the BME Community Mental Health Service tender

(b)  NCVS have met with Nottingham City Council Officers to discuss aspects of social value and hold sessions to support building awareness of the strategy and skills such as tendering and contract management. Work is also underway with the Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative (SFEDI) and the national manager for the Local Response Fund to develop and accredit a programme of skills development for voluntary sector enterprise and business skills, which is distinct from the current social enterprise training offer.

Report of Director of Strategic Commissioning.

Antony Dixon, Strategic Commissioning Manager, presented a work programme for the Sub-Committee, covering the period January 2015 to April 2015.

RESOLVED to note the provisional agenda items shown below:

14 January 2015:  Procurement Plan Update;

Financial Vulnerability Advice and Assistance Commissioning Intentions;

  Emergency Hardship Fund;

Substance Misuse 15/16 Commissioning Intentions;

11 February 2015:  ICELS Commissioning Arrangements;

Early Intervention Directorate Commissioning Intentions;

Health Visiting and Family Nurse Partnership Transfer;

11 March 2015:  Children & Young Peoples Review Commissioning Intentions;

15 April 2015:  Learning Disability Strategic Commissioning Review Commissioning Intentions.

Report of Strategic Director of Early Intervention

Steve Oakley, Head of Quality and Efficiency, presented the report of the Strategic Director of Early Intervention to the Sub-Committee.

RESOLVED to:

(1)  note the revised terms of reference for the committee, including the change in title to the Commissioning and Procurement Sub-Committee;

(2)  note the changes in membership and agree the proposed review of membership in 6 months.

Report of Corporate Director Children and Adults.

Clare Gilbert, Lead Commissioning Manager, presented the report of the Corporate Director of Children and Adults to the Sub-Committee, highlighting the following points:

(a)  Following the decommissioning of the Hucknall House residential respite service, a replacement service will be commissioned.

(b)  The proposals will allow additional capacity and increased flexibility, and will cover any potential transitional period whilst the Hucknall House service is phased out.

(c)  Carers and service providers have been widely consulted on forming the specifications for the new service provision.

(d)  Individual bed commissioning would not allow any long term security. There is a slight risk of over-procurement, but it is not considered significant.

Following questions and comments from the Sub-Committee, additional information was provided:

(e)  All service users have been met, and will have a named Social Worker throughout the transition.

(f)  Figures have been based on the highest levels of service need. As a result, the proposals should result in an under spend, and represent value for money.

(g)  There will be some leeway with regards to negotiating a reduction in capacity, by up to 10%. This will minimise the over-procurement risk.

(h)  There is a 6 month lead-in time, during which time other service users may come forward who need respite care.

RESOLVED to:

(1)  approve the commissioning and procurement of residential respite provision for people with learning disabilities;

(2)  delegate authority to the Director of Early Intervention to approve the outcome of the tender and award contracts, and to the Head of Quality and Efficiency to sign contracts arising from the tender process once the tender outcome is agreed;

(3)  note that approval to spend is gained through the Scheme of Delegation 273 within Part 2 of the Constitution;

(4)  approve transitional funding for current users of the Hucknall House service who transfer to respite provision in advance of October 2015.

Reasons for Decision

(1)  New provision is required to meet the needs of the current users of Hucknall House as well as to address the deficit in the provision of residential respite. Tendering the service will ensure compliance with the Council’s Financial Regulations and Contract Procedure Rules and will enable best value for money to be secured through undertaking a competitive market process.

(2)  The current number of overnight respite commissioned is 989 overnight stays for 18 families. It is proposed to increase this to 1,100 spaces with the potential to purchase additional capacity at the same overnight rate in recognition of this shortfall in respite need, particularly for young people transitioning into the system.

(3)  In order for social workers to be able to ensure smooth transition of respite arrangements, to have sufficient capacity to support the families through transition and to find the most appropriate resource for each individual, some individuals will need to be transferred before the end of the current contract on 30 September 2015. As the current Hucknall House Service is block funded, this will require additional funding to facilitate this process.

Other Options Considered

(1)  Do  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

To consider excluding the public from he meeting during consideration of the remaining items in accordance with section 100a(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the basis that, having regard to all the circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

RESOLVED to exclude the public from the meeting during consideration of the remaining items in accordance with section 100a(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the basis that, having regard to all the circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

As per minute 48, above.