Agenda item

1.  A variation to the current Adult and Young People’s Substance Misuse Services contracts (paragraphs 3.17 and 3.18 of the report) be approved to increase the contract value across both contracts by £120k for the period from 1 December 2022 to 30 November 2023.

2.  The extension be approved beyond term for the current contracts (paragraph 3.19 of the report) for a period of 4 months from 1 December 2023 to 31 March 2024 at an estimated value of £540k.

3.  The commissioning approach be approved and proceed to procurement for a combined Adults and Young People’s Substance Misuse Service (paragraphs 3.20 to 3.25 of the report) for a five year contract commencing 1 April 2024, with the option to extend for a further three years, at an estimated annual value of £1,718k (whole life value £13,744k).

4.  Authority be delegated to Chief Officers in consultation with the Portfolio Holder to authorise an appropriate portion of the Supplemental Substance Misuse Treatment and Recovery (SSMTR) Grant to be drawn down in 2023/24, 2024/25 and to vary the scope and value of the contract accordingly subject to the grant conditions which will be specified by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID).

Report ACH22-037

The London Borough of Bromley had a statutory duty to improve the health of the population and to provide local public health services including arrangements to secure the provision of substance misuse services for adults and young people. Substance misuse services were currently provided by CGL (Change, Grow, Live) who delivered the adult substance misuse service, BDAS (Bromley Drug and Alcohol Service) and the young people’s substance misuse service, Bromley Changes at an estimated whole value of £7,490k. Both contracts were due to expire on 30 November 2023. In recent years the Service had received additional grants from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) to increase the capacity and scope of the Contracts. Further grants were likely to be made available for 2023/24 and 2024/25.

A visiting Member explained that he had voted against the recommendations at the recent Adult Care and Health PDS Committee noting concerns in relation to combining the two contracts as the whole life value was a substantial increase on the current contract. A contract of this size would limit the number of providers that could realistically deliver it and could price out small, specialist services, and it was questioned if large providers could tailor their service to meet the local needs. The rise in demand was the reason for the increase in contract value and there were further concerns about what was being done in relation to prevention services. The Assistant Director – Public Health advised that the proposal was to combine the contract, not the services – they wanted to gain the benefits and efficiency of one management and clinical governance structure, which was the current arrangement and there would also be two separate service specifications.

The Executive noted the concerns that had been raised and further noted that Officers would ensure that there was a break clause in the contract and that the performance of the successful contractor would be monitored through the Council’s usual contract monitoring processes.

The report had been scrutinised by the Adult Care and Health PDS Committee at its meeting on 22 November and the Committee had supported the recommendations.

RESOLVED: That

1. A variation to the current Adult and Young People’s Substance Misuse Services contracts (paragraphs 3.17 and 3.18 of the report) be approved to increase the contract value across both contracts by £120k for the period from 1 December 2022 to 30 November 2023.

2. The extension be approved beyond term for the current contracts (paragraph 3.19 of the report) for a period of 4 months from 1 December 2023 to 31 March 2024 at an estimated value of £540k.

3. The commissioning approach be approved and proceed to procurement for a combined Adults and Young People’s Substance Misuse Service (paragraphs 3.20 to 3.25 of the report) for a five year contract commencing 1 April 2024, with the option to extend for a further three years, at an estimated annual value of £1,718k (whole life value £13,744k).

4. Authority be delegated to Chief Officers in consultation with the Portfolio Holder to authorise an appropriate portion of the Supplemental Substance Misuse Treatment and Recovery (SSMTR) Grant to be drawn down in 2023/24, 2024/25 and to vary the scope and value of the contract accordingly subject to the grant conditions which will be specified by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID).