Issue - meetings

Comments from the Social Services, Health and Housing Policy Overview Committee on this item were considered by the Cabinet.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet agrees:

1. For the Council to enter into partnership with other west London authorities to jointly procure domiciliary and residential care services, negotiating in tandem with other authorities in order to procure the best services in terms of quality and cost;

2. For Hillingdon Council to lead on the procurement of residential care services, developing a framework agreement from which other partner authorities can access services and;

3. For Hammersmith and Fulham Council to lead on the procurement of domiciliary care services, developing a framework agreement from which Hillingdon (and other partners) can access services.

4. To withdraw the exempt nature of relevant parts of the report solely for Officers of the Council to use to provide public information about this initiative and for other related purposes.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet approved the recommendations for joint procurement in order to implement interim and longer term arrangements for Residential and Domiciliary contracts. This would allow managing the expiry of existing block contracts, developing new contract structures, meeting the full range of care needs and models of care required by service users and would achieve budget and service efficiencies where possible.

At the meeting, the Cabinet also resolved to withdraw the exemption status of relevant sections of the report purely for Council Officers to undertake publicity and related activities.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have decided to procure these services for Hillingdon only, however it was considered by Cabinet that procurement in tandem with other local authorities would be more advantageous in terms of market strength and efficiency.                

Officer to action:

Paul Feven, Adult Social Care, Health & Housing

Exempt Information

This report was included in Part II as it contained information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information) and the public interest in withholding the information outweighed the public interest in disclosing it (exempt information under paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 as amended.