Decision details

1.              Recommendations

2.1.          Further to the approval of the Commercial Gateway Review Board, theDeputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health gave approval to:

2.1.1       Direct award an Extra Care Housing, Care and Support contract to Octavia for an initial term of up to 36 months, with the option to extend for terms of 36 months, subject to ongoing endorsement of the Commercial Gateway Review Board and the necessary extension approvals in due course.

2.1.2     Grants a waiver to the tendering requirements of the Procurement Code following a recommendation from the appropriate Executive Leadership Team Member and Director of Commercial Partnerships, to directly award the above WCC listed contracts for the reasons described in the report.

2.2.          The Legal Comments in section 9 of the report be noted, and that a balanced approach to risk management be taken as set out in section 6 of the report.

2.               Reasons for Decision

3.1.            The Health and Social Care Act 2012 sets out the public health duties conferred to Local Authorities which includes a duty to improve the health of the people that live in the area.

3.2.            The Care Act 2014 places a duty upon Local Authorities to ensure older people receive services that prevent their care needs from becoming more serious or delay the impact of their needs.

3.3.            The Care Act 2014 also stipulates a duty to Local Authorities to meet residents assessed needs.  

3.4.            Extra care housing services supports people assessed as needing access to 24/7 care and support in a highly effective and popular way that facilitates individual preferences relating to personal outcomes and wellbeing.

3.5.            Extra care housing services also play a vital role in supporting vulnerable people to maintain their independence, remain in the borough, prevent and reduce the need for emergency and more costly health and social care services.

3.6.            With the existing service contract reaching expiry it is essential that a good quality service is in place in order to achieve the service outcomes being sought and maintain the health and wellbeing in a time of unprecedented challenges.

3.7.            The contract award enables service continuity with an effective, local, third sector, highly experienced, highly responsive, provider as well as delivering value for money.