Issue - meetings

This report seeks approval to sell Nelson Court and Robert Bean Lodge following Cabinet’s decision, on 12 February 2013, to award the contract for the outsourcing of Robert Bean Lodge and Nelson Court.

Discussion:

This report sought approval to sell Nelson Court and Robert Bean Lodge following Cabinet’s decision, on 12 February 2013, to award  the contract for the outsourcing of Robert Bean Lodge and Nelson Court to the Agincare Group.

Councillor Brake, Portfolio Holder for Adult Services, supported by Councillor Jarrett, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Deputy Leader, proposed the recommendation set out in the report.

Decision:

The Council agreed to delegate authority to the Assistant Director, Adult Social Care, in consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Finance and Adult Services, Assistant Director of Legal and Corporate Services and the Chief Finance Officer, to dispose of Nelson Court and Robert Bean Lodge.

Background:

This report provided details of the procurement exercise for the award of contract for the outsourcing of Robert Bean Lodge and Nelson Court.

Medway had three linked service centres (LSCs) that provided residential care and support for older people with dementia, adults with rehabilitation needs, respite for adults over 18 and day care for older people. The three LSCs were Platters Farm, Robert Bean Lodge and Nelson Court.

The report gave details of the procurement tendering process undertaken and resultant options.

A Diversity Impact Assessment screening was undertaken on the proposals to outsource Robert Bean Lodge and Nelson Court, as set out in appendix 1 to the report.

It was noted that the Procurement Board had considered this report on 1 February 2013 and supported the recommendations as set out in the section 11 of the report.

An exempt appendix contained key information in respect of finance and whole-life costings, providers and detailed procurement process tender evaluation information.

The Cabinet agreed that the decisions set out below were urgent and should therefore not be subject to call-in. In line with rule 16.11 of Chapter 4, Part 5 of the Constitution, call-in can be waived where any delay likely to be caused by the call-in process would seriously prejudice the Council’s or the Public’s interests. The Cabinet agreed to accept this as an urgent item because of the need to prevent any further delay so that this procurement exercise can be concluded providing certainty for both the residents and staff of both of the services.

It was noted that the Chairman of the Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee had agreed that the decisions proposed are reasonable in all the circumstances and to them being treated as a matter of urgency and to waive call-in.

Reasons:

The outsourcing of these services will provide best value and maintain the quality of the service.

Delegated authority will enable mobilisation of the new provider to gather momentum so that service users have certainty about the future of the service and the authority can realise efficiencies as soon as possible.