Agenda item

(To receive a report by Carl Miller, Commercial and Procurement Manager – People Services, which invites the Committee to consider the re-procurement of Community Supported Living services prior to consideration by the Executive on 4 February 2020)

The Committee received a report which invited members to consider the re-procurement of Community Supported Living services which was due to be considered by the Executive on 4 February 2020.

It was reported that the Community Supported Living – Open Select list was a framework agreement of approved providers who could meet care and support, and if appropriate, accommodation needs for vulnerable adults across Lincolnshire.  The current framework had 38 providers approved to deliver services, and there were 21 active at this time.

Members were guided through the report and were provided with an opportunity to ask questions to the officers present in relation to the information contained within the report and some of the points raised during discussion included the following:

·         It was commented that the nomination rights and sharing the costs of voids were very important.

·         It was queried how this service worked in practice to help someone, and members were advised that it would be used by an individual, living in the community independently, and they may receive personal care but they may also want to go on shopping trips.  This service would help them to achieve this by helping them understand public transport for example.  It can also help people to access opportunities for volunteering.  Staff would work with an individual to design a support plan and work with them to make their aspirations a reality.

·         This service was about empowering people to make a contribution to the community.

·         It was noted that most people using this service were working age adults.

·         It was queried whether there was anything further in relation to sleep in support.  Members were advised that the way that the authority supported sleep in support was supportive of the market.   If the supreme Court were to uphold the Court of Appeal's ruling that sleep-in support should be considered as working time then the authority's current position would still be tenable.  However, there would be two elements to consider, one would be around revenue costs, and the other around back dated pay, which could be up to six years.  The Council had set aside a contingency fund for this.  The judgement from the Supreme Court was expected by July 2020.

·         It was commented that it was not always helpful to compare rates with what other authorities paid for care, as there were other aspects to consider.

·         It was noted that the authority was about to embark on a residential rate review.  The rates were critical, however, this time officer would also be looking at a number of other factors as there was a need for the services to be sustainable.

RESOLVED

1.    That the Committee support the recommendations to the Executive as set out in the report.

2.    That the following additional comments be reported to the Executive:

In relation to the proposed changes to the contract (section 10[a]-[d]), the Committee strongly supports the proposal for a nomination agreement to proposals (section 10[c]).  The Committee also welcomes the proposals for incentivising providers to bid lower than ceiling rate (section 10[b])

Section 8 of the report refers to court cases on 'sleep in support', with the Supreme Court expected to make a decision by July 2020.   The Committee was advised that depending on the Supreme Court's decision, there were two potential financial impacts to the Council: the requirement for backdated pay to staff; and the consequences for the service's budget in the future.  In relation, to the former a contingency reserve had been established by the County Council.