Decision details

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet:

1.    Agrees to the direct award of the Integrated Carers Support Contract to the Hillingdon Carers Consortium for a period of up to 18 months from 1st October 2023 at a total cost of £1,114,548.50 with a further £19,000 from the Integrated Care Board for 24/25 being under review.

2.    Notes the update confirming that 3 organisations will receive their final payment for 23/24 as set out in paragraph 14.

3.    Notes the transfer of the responsibility of the service provision of 2 organisations to the Council’s Place Directorate as set out in paragraph 16.

4.    Agrees, in principle, that to protect service delivery during the transition that contracts be commissioned via a direct award for a period of up to 12 months for the groups set out in paragraph 17 below from 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025. That specifications and contract payments be developed in discussion with relevant internal and external stakeholders.

5.    Agrees to a series of fully open and competitive tenders to follow the periods of direct award contracts set out in recommendation 4. The tenders will result in longer term contracts which reflect identified service needs and opportunities for collaboration and transformation.

6.    Delegates approval of contract awards to organisations, once the specifications and contract values are known, to the Leader of the Council and relevant Cabinet Member (Health and Social Care or Children, Families & Education) as appropriate or the Corporate Director of Adult Services and Health where in accordance with the Council’s Procurement Standing Orders.

Reasons for decision

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Services introduced the report, which marked exciting development in the partnership between the Council and the established voluntary sector in Hillingdon. The Cabinet Member explained the change to a commissioning approach with such organisations, which would better channel the Council’s investment to a wider group of residents.

As part of the transition to this, the Cabinet Member proposed the extension of Integrated Carers Support Contract to build upon the work already established, along with a 12-month period for the other organisations listed in the report to develop their partnership with the Council.

The Leader of the Council welcomed that this would open new doors for the voluntary sector to expand support services. Cabinet, therefore, agreed to progress a commissioning model and, as part of the move to this, approved an interim contractual arrangements for relevant voluntary organisations.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have continued with the historic approach to direct grant funding, but considered this would lead to reduced support for residents and a likely increase in demand on Council services.