Agenda item

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Adult Social Services (on behalf of the Corporate Strategic People Commissioning Group) that provides further information specifically requested by the Scrutiny Board as part of its inquiry, and also provides an update on progress towards developing a joint approach to commissioning across people services directorates, including performance monitoring.

The Scrutiny Board received a report from the Director of Adult Social Services (on behalf of the Corporate Strategic People Commissioning Group) that provides further information specifically requested by the Scrutiny Board as part of its inquiry, and also provides an update on progress towards developing a joint approach to commissioning across people services directorates, including performance monitoring.

The following were in attendance for the discussion and to address questions from the Scrutiny Board.

·  Councillor James Lewis – Executive Member for Strategy and Resources

·  Cath Roff – Director of Adult Social Services

·  Sue Rumbold – Chief Officer (Partnership Development and Business Support), Children’s Services

·  Sue Wynn – Chief Officer (Employment and Skills), Children’s Services

·  Bridget Emery – Chief Officer (Strategy and Commissioning) , Public Health

·  Mick Ward – Chief Officer (Commissioning), Adult Social Services

·  Chris Dickinson – Head of Commissioning, Children’s Services

The Director of Adult Social Services introduced the report, outlining the following main points:

·  Performance Monitoring and the standard framework in place across Council Services

·  The initiatives in place to develop joint approaches to performance monitoring across directorates

·  The work being undertaken to align staffing structures to support the commissioning work programme

·  Budget action plans around decommissioned and re-commissioned services

The Scrutiny Board discussed a number of matters, including:

·  Clarification on the minimum standards regarding quality assurance and performance monitoring, including any additional requirements to respond to varied national policies and legal requirements.

·  The importance of developing intelligent commissioning and decommissioning proposals, including detailed impact assessments in relation to any proposed savings to commissioned services, particularly across contracts for Children’s Services and Adult Social Services.

·  The need to ensure that elected members are actively engaged and notified of any proposed changes to commissioned services in their areas.

·  The need for greater transparency surrounding the various Strategic Partnership Boards across the city.

·  Confirmation of the current funding situation for Neighbourhood Networks.

·  Clarification surrounding the procedures for contract extensions and waivers and the need for greater transparency surrounding the use of these options.  In particular, the Board emphasised the need to provide elected members with more detailed explanations when such decisions are to be made.

·  Particular concerns were raised regarding the lack of progress in providing Extra Care Facilities and it was acknowledged that the welfare reform changes, particularly in relation to Housing Benefit, has had a particular impact on the stability of this market. 

·  Reference was made to contract decisions being taken prior to and also during the Christmas and New Year period and the potential impact and disruption that this can cause.  As such, the Board emphasised the need to avoid this practice in future.

At conclusion of the discussion, and on behalf of the Scrutiny Board, the Chair thanked the officers for their attendance and efforts to present a range of information through the report to the Board.

The Chair confirmed the Board would now consider its findings before finalising its inquiry report. 

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the information presented be reflected as part of the Board’s finalised inquiry report.