Decision details

In accordance with Section 100B (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chair agreed to an additional item of business relating to The All Age Carers Hub on the grounds that the matter could not wait until the next meeting as the contract needs to be signed.

On 27 September 2021, the Adults and Health Committee received a report on the All Age Carers Hub and Strategy and gave approval for the recommission of the All Age Carers Hub contract, ending in December 2022, with Cheshire West and Chester Council and Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group. Since that decision was taken, it had not been possible to jointly commission in partnership with Cheshire West and Chester Council and, therefore, committee was being asked to note that the re-commissioning would no longer be a joint venture and give approval to continue with the delegation of authority to the Executive Director of Adults, Health and Integration to award the All Age Carers Hub contract.

It was noted that there had been no change to the budget or the model.

Comments and questions were received from members in relation to the following:

-       Concerns were raised regarding this urgent business being dealt with verbally and without a briefing paper.

-       Sought assurance that there would be no financial charges resulting from the move from a joint to a single commission;

-       Concerns around providers being aware that this was now a single commission rather than a joint commission as it may have had an impact on those who wanted to bid.

Officers reassured the committee that there had been no change to the budget following the change, there would be no charges for Cheshire East being a single commissioner, and that all providers were aware that it was a single commission when it had gone out to tender.

RESOLVED (by majority)

That the Adults and Health Committee:

1.    Acknowledged that this recommissioning was no longer a joint venture with Cheshire West and Chester Council;

2.    Delegated authority to the Executive Director of Adults, Health, and Integration to award the All-Age Carers Hub contract.