Issue - meetings

Report of Director for Commissioning and Procurement

Sharon Ribeiro, Lead Contact Performance Manager (Care and Support), presented the report, which detailed proposals for fee rates in 2022/23 across Adult Social Care contracted provision, which Nottingham City Council is contractually bound to consider on an annual basis where it has a statutory duty to provide a service.

It was stated that the Council will consult with providers on the proposals and consider responses prior to implementation from April 2022.

In response to a question regarding minimising costs, Ms Ribeiro stated that the Council was constantly reviewing cost vs provision, and there was currently work being undertaken to review all fees etc in time for 2023/24.

Resolved

(1)  to approve:

(a)  the proposals for fee rates for Adult Social Care Services in 2022/23 as outlined in exempt appendix 1, which will be consulted upon with service providers;

(b)  the total spend of £6.299million, including approval to spend against high cost placement provision through the Council’s scheme of delegation for Adults Care Packages;

(2)  to delegate authority to the Director of Commissioning and Procurement, in consultation with the Director for Adult Health and Social Care, and in line with the Council budget,to agree fee rates in accordance with the proposals detailed in exempt appendix 1, subject to the outcome of consultation with providers;

(3)  to note that:

(a)  subject to recommendation 3(b) below, the agreed rates will be implemented from April 2022;

(b)  if upon completion of the consultation the financial impact of any revised proposals exceed the budget available, further approval would be sought from this Committee.

Reasons for recommendations

i.  Nottingham City Council is contractually bound to consider fee rates in respect of services that is has a duty to provide.  This is balanced against budget commitments and pressures for the Council.

ii.  In accordance with the Council’s legal obligation, it is proposed to consult with adult social care providers with regard to these proposals during February – March 2022. The Director of Commissioning and Procurement in consultation with the Director for Adult Health and Social Care will take account of consultation responses and issue variations to existing contracts reflective of the proposals in this report should no significant issue arise. Should the outcome of these consultations require consideration of significant change to the shape and financial consequence of these proposals (with due regard given to the available budget) a further report will be presented through the appropriate governance process.

iii.  These proposals and the associated financial modelling are based on information currently available about service utilisation and demand changes as a result of Covid 19.

iv.  The recommendations presented take account of the implications of the National Living Wage for the market and aim to represent a fair allocation of funding and to support the market across all service areas. It is considered that a balanced, reasoned and informed approach has been taken and that the proposals seek to support a sustainable, efficient and effective market within the available resources.

v.  It is proposed to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54