Issue - meetings

Cabinet received a report which sought approval for a package of support for a transition period to stabilise the provider market during the Covid-19 pandemic. The implementation of this transition period would allow for some stabilisation within the care market and minimise the risk of provider failure.  It would also provide the Local Authority with time to analyse the longer-term impact of Covid 19 on demand for care and support services and would enable the Council to prepare for a comprehensive commissioning exercise. The request was considered in confidential session as it contained information relating to financial or business affairs.

RESOLVED –

1.                  That a package of support for a transition period, as outlined within the confidential appendix, be agreed to stabilise the provider market during the Covid-19 pandemic; and

2.                  That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director for Adults & Health and the s151 Officer to finalise the details of the support package.

Angela Macpherson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, introduced the report and informed Members that in January 2021 a report relating to this matter had been presented and approved by Cabinet.  This had resulted in a package of immediate, short-term financial support and a commitment to ongoing negotiations with a view to reaching an overall conclusion by March 2021 regarding longer term sustainable options.

Through those ongoing negotiations a thorough review of the options had been undertaken and resulted in a recommendation that a further package of support, details of which were outlined within the confidential appendices, was offered for a transition period to stabilise the market during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The implementation of this transition period would allow for some stabilisation within the care market and minimise the risk of provider failure.  This would also provide the Local Authority with time to analyse the longer-term impact of Covid-19 on demand for care and support services and will enable the Council to prepare for a comprehensive commissioning exercise.

The proposed option provided the best foundation for service continuity as well as achieving value for money whilst enabling the Council to meet it’s obligations under the Care Act 2014 in relation to support for providers:

-              To promote the efficient and effective operation of a market in services for meeting care and support needs;

-              Ensuring the sustainability of the market (in circumstances where it is operating effectively as well as in circumstances where it is not); and

-              In the event of provider failure, to ensure continuity of care and support so that all clients (including self-funders) continue to receive services that keep them safe and well

The meeting had previously agreed item 10 and went into private session to discuss the confidential appendices set out in item 12. Following a comprehensive confidential discussion, the meeting returned to public session and the recommendations were agreed as follows:

RESOLVED –

(1)               That a package of support for a transition period, as outlined within the confidential appendices, be agreed to stabilise the provider market during the Covid-19 pandemic.

(2)               That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director for Adults and Health and the Section 151 Officer to finalise the details of the support package.