Agenda and minutes

Councillor Campbell-Clark  -  unwell

None.

Last meeting held 14 September 2021 (for confirmation)

The Committee agree the minutes of the meeting held on 14 September 2021 as a correct record and they were signed by the Chair.

Report of Corporate Director for Finance and Resources

Jackie Handley (Insurance and Risk Manager) and Steve Oakley (Head of Contracting and Procurement), presented the report, which sought approval to tender for and place required insurance policies for the Council, Nottingham City Homes, and associated wholly-owned companies, commencing 01 April 2022 for a period of 3 years, with an up to 2-year extension option.

During discussion, Ms Handley gave the following additional information:

(i)  the YPO framework currently has approximately 15 to 20 suppliers listed (including major providers such as Zurich Insurance) and is the main way to access the market when tendering;

(ii)  if a niche provider is required, and the Council is unsuccessful finding a supplier via the framework, it’s brokers would be tasked with sourcing 4-5 different quotes from specialist insurance markets;

(iii)  the brokers work with the council to ensure any policy contracted is robust and suits the needs of the particular cover required.

Resolved to

(1)  approve tendering of the insurance programme currently held by the Council, Nottingham City Homes and associated wholly-owned companies, and include quotations for cyber insurance in the main tender process and subsequent awards;

(2)  delegate authority to the Insurance and Risk Manager to let the insurance contracts on a 3-year basis, with an option of a 2-year extension for liability, motor, property and associated covers, fine arts, Directors and officers, personal accident and travel, cyber and specific policies for wholly-owned companies or commercial activities;

(3)  note that any specialist areas of insurance cover that cannot be obtained through the YPO framework at a reasonable price will be considered under a separate process and approve that authority is delegated to the Insurance and Risk Manager to establish the best route to market for this specialist cover;

(4)  request that the Insurance and Risk Manager inform members of this Committee of the successful providers once the tendering process is complete.

Reasons for recommendations

The current insurance policies held by the Council, Nottingham City Homes (NCH) and associated wholly-owned companies are subject to long term agreements, all of which expire on 31 March 2022. There is no option to further extend the long term agreements.

Insurance is required by the Council and associated companies to provide financial protection against liabilities and to protect assets against catastrophic loss. The consequent transfer of the risk limits the Council’s financial exposure to those losses payable under the policy excess.

Other options considered in making recommendations

No other options were considered as the current insurance policies expire on 31 March 2022 and the Council is required to have insurance.

Report of Director of Public Health

Councillor Williams (Portfolio Holder for Adults and Health), Bethan Hopcraft (Strategy and Commissioning Officer) and Steve Oakley (Head of Contracting and Procurement), presented the report, which sought approval to procure a community pharmacy-supervised consumption scheme for opioid substitution therapy (OST), commencing 01 April 2022 for an initial period of 5 years, with an option to extend for up to a further two 2-year periods.

During discussion, Ms Hopcraft gave the following additional information:

(i)  a GP prescription is taken by the patient to a pharmacy and they monitor the dose, with the vast majority of pharmacies across the city offering the service, although some prefer not to be part of the scheme;

(ii)  there are all types of pharmacies involved, from small, independents to branches owned by national and international companies, which gives patients the option to go anywhere in the city;

(iii)  pharmacies submit invoices for work undertaken and those are dealt with by Public Health.

Resolved to

(1)  approve the expenditure of up to £2,589,517 of Public Health monies associated with procuring a community pharmacy-supervised consumption scheme and provision of take-home naloxone scheme commencing 01 April 2022 for a period of 5 years, with an option to extend for a further two 2-year periods;

(2)  delegate authority to both the Director of Public Health and the Director of Commissioning and Procurement to approve the outcomes of the supervised consumption accreditation process and award the contracts.

Reasons for recommendations

The current contracts held with 31 providers across 50 bases for this service are due to expire on 31 March 2022. Approval is sought for the use of funding to enable new contracts to be established for the continuation of a supervised consumption scheme within the City for an initial 5-year term with the opportunity to extend for two further two-year periods (subject to successful performance and continuing requirement for this provision. Without securing new contracts, there will be serious consequences for not only our drug-using population, but also a potential increase in crime (through diverted medications, among other crimes), and accidental poisonings of children and vulnerable adults.

Due to the potentially chaotic nature of the lives of people using this provision, there is an increased risk of overdose due to people potentially using more than their prescribed dose. Nottingham City is dedicated to improving health outcomes for citizens and by re-procuring this provision, the risk of overdose from prescribed and non-prescribed opioids reduces among our drug-using population. Similarly, methadone poisonings account for over half of all poisonings in children under four, and the provision of this scheme will contribute to the reduction in risk of accidental poisonings in children. In addition, this provision will reduce the likelihood of diversion of potentially dangerous controlled medications.

Encouraging daily contact with a qualified health professional will improve the likelihood of any additional health concerns being identified and treated. Throughout their treatment journey, service users can build relationships with their pharmacist which often supports their recovery and other areas of their lives.

The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.