Issue - meetings

Background:

This report sought permission to admit a number of suppliers onto the Homecare Services Framework.

It was noted that the council had let a Framework Agreement in 2012 for the provision of Homecare services. This framework had an aggregated value of £45,000,000 and was based on a Gold, Silver and Bronze rating which reflected the provider’s value for money. Providers rated as Gold had the first opportunity to respond to referrals of care packages, which they would ‘win’ by being able to demonstrate their ability to best meet the preferences of the service user in terms of how the care is delivered. There were currently 15 providers on the framework: 8 in the gold band, 6 in the silver band and 1 in the bronze band.

All suppliers were subject to quality monitoring through a set of Key Performance Indicators on a six monthly basis. The outcome of the monitoring could alter their position within the framework. The category management strategy was to open the agreement up on an annual basis to allow new providers to gain a place on the framework and allow existing providers to alter their position.

The report set out details of the associated procurement process and business case, together with details of the potential risks and the plans to mitigate them. An exempt appendix contained key financial analysis and tender evaluation and award information.

It was noted that this Gateway 3 Report had been approved for submission to the Cabinet after review by the Children and Adults Directorate Management Team and Procurement Board.

It was noted that 28 clear days’ notice of this item had not been provided, in accordance with the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements)(Meetings and Access to Information)(England) Regulations 2012. The Chairman of the Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee had however agreed, in accordance with the provisions of the 2012 Regulations, that this matter was both urgent and could not be reasonably deferred until the next Cabinet meeting on 13 January 2015 because of the need to provide continuity of service and reassurance to the public.

Reasons:

The successful tenderers were admitted onto the Homecare Services Framework because they had demonstrated the ability to deliver services at, or exceed, the minimum standard required for Homecare Services.  They had also demonstrated the ability to deliver services at cost effective rates within the price envelopes published as part of the tender exercise.