Issue - meetings

Report CS18181

The contract for Mental Health Flexible Support Services was due to expire on 30^th September 2019.  There were no further options to extend the current contract which had an annual value of £0.401m and cumulative spend over the life of the contract to 30^th September 2019 of approximately £2.935m and therefore procurement options had to be explored to determine how relevant needs would be met from 1^st October 2019. The report sought Executive approval to commence the procurement of services in alignment with the LBB Commissioning Plan and the Joint CCG Mental Health Strategy. Four options were set out in the report -

Option 1: Develop a framework of providers;

Option 2: Purchase services on a spot basis;

Option 3: Tender the service on a block basis with one provider;

Option 4: Decommission the service

The report had been scrutinised by the Adult Care and Health PDS Committee at its meeting on 21^st November 2018 and the Committee had supported the proposals, subject to recommending that option 1, a framework of providers, should be the preferred approach.

Councillor Angela Wilkins expressed concern that the process would not allow sufficient opportunity for scrutiny by Members, but officers confirmed that there would be regular updates to Adult Care and Health PDS Committee.

RESOLVED that

(1) The tendering of the Mental Health Flexible Support service via the development of a framework of providers (option 1 detailed at paragraph 4.2.2 in the report) to meet the current and future needs of people requiring flexible mental health support within the community and which are aligned with the LBB Commissioning Plan and the Joint CCG Mental Health Strategy be approved.

(2) In the event a part fixed (block)/part variable hours basis with one provider (option 3 detailed at paragraph 4.2.4 in the report) is established through market engagement activity as the best option, the decision to procure on this basis is delegated to the Chief Officer in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Adult Care and Health.