Issue - meetings

As part of the national regionalising adoption agenda, Bath and North East Somerset Council, along with five other Local Authorities, set up a Regional Adoption Agency named Adoption West. The Agency commenced operation on 1 March 2019.

The Cabinet is asked to agree that the term of the original Commissioning Agreement (as defined) be extended for a period of up to five years. The original agreement allows for this extension and the Adoption West Board, which includes all six Local Authorities, including B&NES Council; is in support of this.

On a motion from Councillor Dine Romero, seconded by Councillor Alison Born, it was unanimously

RESOLVED

1.  To note that all other 5 Local Authority owners of Adoption West have approved the contract extension through their respective Executives;

2.  To approve the extension of the Commissioning Agreement with Adoption West for the delivery of services as per the original contractual specification, by 5 years until 28 February 2027; and directs the Director Of Children’s Services and Education  in consultation with the Directors of Finance, and Legal and Democratic Services and in consultation with the Cabinet member for Children's Services and Education  to agree in writing, in accordance with clause 3.2 of the Commissioning Agreement, a five year contract extension and execute any and all related documents required to implement that extension.

3.  To note that the AW Board, which Mary Kearney-Knowles, Director of Children’s Services and Education is part of; is unanimously supportive of the contract extension. This recognises that Adoption West is realising its potential, and delivers a good quality, consistent offer for children and adoptive families across its operational footprint.

As part of the national regionalising adoption agenda, Bath and North East Somerset Council, along with five other Local Authorities, set up a Regional Adoption Agency named Adoption West. The Agency commenced operation on 1 March 2019.

The Cabinet is asked to agree that the term of the original Commissioning Agreement (as defined) be extended for a period of up to five years. The original agreement allows for this extension and the Adoption West Board, which includes all six Local Authorities, including B&NES Council; is in support of this.

Councillor Dine Romero introduced this report.  She explained that this was the formal request to extend the existing Adoption West contract by 5 years, to amend the financial arrangements and the service specification.  She explained that a small extension of 3 months had already been agreed by all partners, the 6 Local Authorities who wholly own this company.  This company has well established governance, including cross-Authority and cross-party scrutiny.  Councillor Romero then moved the recommendations.

Councillor Richard Samuel seconded the recommendations, as a pragmatic approach to provide future stability for this important service.

RESOLVED unanimously

1.  To note that all other 5 Local Authority owners of Adoption West have approved the contract extension through their respective Executives;

2.  To approve the extension of the Commissioning Agreement with Adoption West for the delivery of services as per the original contractual specification, by 5 years until 28 February 2027; and directs the Director Of Children’s Services and Education  in consultation with the Directors of Finance, and Legal and Democratic Services and in consultation with the Cabinet member for Children's Services and Education  to agree in writing, in accordance with clause 3.2 of the Commissioning Agreement, a five year contract extension and execute any and all related documents required to implement that extension.

3.  To note that the AW Board, which Mary Kearney-Knowles, Director of Children’s Services and Education is part of; is unanimously supportive of the contract extension. This recognises that Adoption West is realising its potential, and delivers a good quality, consistent offer for children and adoptive families across its operational footprint.