Agenda item

To receive and consider the report of the Deputy Director, Strategic Commissioning. 

(Councillor Davey was elected as Chair for this item)

The report of the Deputy Director, Strategic Commissioning provided Members with an update on progress made with the review of the Neighbourhood Network Schemes (NNS) and other commissioning initiatives.  A report due to be considered at the Executive Board meeting on 21 July 2010 was submitted which detailed recommendations for the provision of  Neighbourhood Network Services and also included the review brief 'Independent Review of the Procurement and Commissioning for Neighbourhood Network Schemes'. Revised wording of the recommendations detailed on page 16 was also submitted to the Board.

The following officers were in attendance for this item:

·  Sandie Keene – Director of Adult Social Services

·  Dennis Holmes – Deputy Director, Strategic Commissioning

·  Nicole Jackson – Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance)

·  Wayne Baxter – Chief Procurement Officer

Sandie Keene, Director of Adult Services addressed the meeting and gave the Board an overview of the report. It was reported that following the initial

commissioning process and subsequent proposals for awarding contracts for Neighbourhood Network Services, concerns had been raised regarding the decision making process and representations had been made.

 In view of the representations made, an independent review of the process was commissioned

The outcome of the review has highlighted lessons to learn,  including  the need for better communication and consideration of Member involvement at scrutiny level. However ,the review had concluded that there was no justification for re-opening the procurement process.

The following issues were also brought to the attention of the Board:

·  Positive outcomes of the review including the Council’s intent to award 5 year contracts to voluntary organisations with options to extend for a further 3 years.

·  The recommendations outlined in the report to Executive Board which included  the following:

1.  Organisations that had been recommended to provide Neighbourhood Network Services

2.  Organisations that would be offered shorter term contracts and to work in conjunction with the Council before being awarded longer contracts

3.  The potential development of a Strategic Partnership in 5 areas in the East of the City.

In response to Members comments and questions, the following issues were discussed:

·  All areas involved in the process had competing bids.

·  The Director of Adult Social Services ,in consultation with the Executive Member for Adult Health and Social Care and the Leaders of the Council appointed  the independent reviewers.  The review was overseen by the Director of Adult  Social Services and the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance).

·  Communication issues - It was acknowledged that communication could have been better which is detailed in the report. Apologies had been given to the Neighbourhood Networks.

·  With reference to the general commissioning report (page 3), reference was made to the award for Contracts for Hearing and Visual Services and the disadvantages for community groups who had requested information in Braille.  It was reported that these groups would be given an extension in line with the time they have had to wait for translated information.

RESOLVED –

  (a) That the report be noted

  (b) That the amended recommendations presented to the Scrutiny   Board (Adult Social Care) as outlined in the report of the Director of   Adult Social Services and Assistant Chief Executive  (Corporate   Governance) to the Executive Board dated the 21st of July be   endorsed.

(Councillors Hanley, Kendall, Lyons and Varley left the meeting during the discussion on this item due to their earlier declarations of interest which were personal and prejudicial.)