Agenda item

To consider a report seeking permission to undertake the recommissioning of Care at Home services for adults.

The Committee considered a report which sought approval to recommission the Care at Home Prime and Framework services within Cheshire East. It was proposed that the service would be recommissioned in conjunction with health colleagues from the Cheshire East local place.

To provide greater stability to the care market and maximise continuity of care for service users it was proposed that as part of the recommissioning of the service that the contract period be increased from a five year maximum period to a maximum period of up to ten years. The proposed longer contract length would provide greater stability to the care market and greater continuity of care to service users, although feedback from committee members on alternative contract length was welcomed.

Engagement with providers and stakeholders would help to inform the new commission along with a review of care fees which would be undertaken by independent consultants.

Recent discussions had taken place in respect of the procurement approach and the possibility of using the new flexible purchasing system to allow new care providers to contract with the council as and when they set up. This would be subject to engagement with stakeholders.

Members raised questions and comments in relation to

-       Sought assurance that the synergies of all those contracts discussed would be considered;

-       Would like to gain a better understanding of terms and conditions in relation to the alignment with the CCG;

-       Want to ensure providers deliver the Foundation Living Wage to their employees as oppose to tending to oncosts first;

-       Geographical Lots - ensure all areas would be well served by the contract;

-       Had consideration been given to use Cheshire East care workers rather than agency workers.

Members raised concerns in respect of the length of the proposed contract and the need to ensure accountability of the provider throughout the entirety of the contract.

It was proposed and seconded that the recommendations in the report be approved, subject to

·         the amendments made to the wording in recommendation 3.5 of the report as highlighted below;

·         In respect of those concerns listed in relation to the length of the contract a proposal was put forwarded and seconded to amend the length of the contract to five years, with a possible two year extension.

RESOLVED That the Adults and Health Committee:-

(1)  Approves Cheshire East undertaking the recommissioning of care at home services for adults which are potentially procured in partnership with Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group (or its successor), with Cheshire East Council as the lead commissioner.

(2)  Approves a contract period of five years with a possible two year extension.

(3)  Notes that commissioners intend to engage providers and stakeholders on the proposed new model and that independent consultants have been appointed to undertake a review of care fees which will help to inform the new commission.

(4)  Delegates authority to the Executive Director of Adults, Health and Integration to enter into a joint agreement with Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group in consultation with the Chair of the Adults and Health Committee should a joint commission with the CCG be progressed, following a report to the committee.

(5)  Delegates authority to the Executive Director of Adults, Health and Integration in consultation with the Director of Governance and Compliance and the Chair of the Adults and Health Committee to enter into contracts with the successful suppliers following the prescribed procurement process.