Agenda item

The Cabinet Member(s) will update the Panel on any relevant issues. Panel members may ask questions on the update provided.

Councillor Alison Born, Cabinet Member for Adult Services addressed the Panel and highlighted the following points from her update.

Community Support Contract Awards

Following robust mobilisation and smooth transition, six Community Support Service contracts went live on 1st January 2026.

Two further Community Support Service tenders have concluded under the new Procurement Act 2023 using the Light Touch Regime for above-threshold social care contracts in December 2025. These two contracts will commence in April 2026, with mobilisation and implementation activity now underway to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of support for residents across Bath and North East Somerset.

This concludes the recommissioning of the Community Support Service contracts undertaken in 2025.

Newton House update

Adult Social Care staff have continued to work with families who access care and support at Newton House to shape the future design of respite services. To date, they have held three dedicated sessions focused on service development and defining what "good" looks like for both families and individuals using the provision.

In parallel, we have engaged with our procurement and legal teams to explore the flexibilities within the Procurement Act 2023 and identify viable routes to market. In line with our statutory duties under the Care Act 2014 and the Procurement Act 2023, the Council has carefully considered the option of a direct award for respite provision at Newton House, utilising the User Choice provision. This approach reflects the expressed preferences of families and it addresses the critical need to ensure continuity of care for vulnerable adults and their carers.

The option to make a direct award for 5 plus 2 years under the User Choice provisions was not available under the previous procurement legislation and has only become possible with the flexibilities introduced by the Procurement Act 2023.

Families were informed about this development on 6th January via email, followed by a meeting on 13th January for commissioners to explain the details to the families.

Robust quality assurance processes will be embedded, and there is a shared commitment to maintaining family involvement throughout all stages of the commissioning process.

We are firmly committed to ensuring there is no gap in service provision from 1st October (when the current arrangement ends), guaranteeing continuous support for all individuals and families relying on respite care at Newton House.

Councillor Born thanked all involved, especially the parents and carers.

Councillor Liz Hardman said that she welcomed the good news relating to Newton House and praised all parties for their part in the process undertaken. She asked what lessons have been learnt so that a similar situation does not occur again in the future.

Councillor Born said that there was a recognition now to work more collaboratively with those in receipt of services prior to making a decision about any potential changes.

Councillor Hardman referred to the subject of Adult Regulated Services and asked what was needed for the Community Resource Centres to achieve a ‘Good’ rating from the CQC.

The Assistant Director for Adult Regulated Services & Governance replied that the CQC inspection at Cleeve Court had an overall score of 62%, which is 1% point below the threshold of 63% for a rating of Good. She added that they were working through their action plan and said that good progress was being made.

She said that a further report could be presented to the Panel in April that would include details of the ‘Unexpected Visit’ to Combe Lea.

Councillor Hardman asked for the Panel to receive a future report on the South West Good Food Local Benchmarking Exercise.

The Director of Public Health & Prevention replied that this was a cross-Council piece of work, including sustainability and transport, and that she would discuss a report timeframe with colleagues.

Kevin Burnett referred to the Community Support Contracts and the importance of the Voluntary Sector and asked how that was put into practice. He also asked when the next contract round would be due.

Councillor Born replied that there is a fantastic local provision in place through 3SG and that the Council has a close working relationship with them. She added that no advantage had been given to any organisation during the process and that the Community Wellbeing Hub had also given support to providers. She said that the next contract round would be due in four years’ time.

The Executive Director – People added that 3SG are also represented at the Health & Wellbeing Board and engaged in neighbourhood planning.

Kevin Burnett referred to Newton House and asked what hurdles were now left to overcome before October and would the families continue to be involved on an ongoing basis.

Councillor Born said that she was confident that there were no further hurdles as the current provider was onboard with the proposals and said that the families will be kept informed throughout the year.

Kevin Burnett referred to Adult Regulated Services and asked if there was one area of focus for improvement.

The Assistant Director for Adult Regulated Services & Governance replied that this would be Care Planning and that the action plan would highlight that.

Kevin Burnett referred to the Active Wellbeing Big Connect Event and asked is this was connected at all to The Active Way who had given a presentation to the Panel within the last year.

The Director of Public Health & Prevention replied that representatives from The Active Way were in attendance at the event as part of a whole systems approach to improving health and wellbeing. She added that work was ongoing to develop a Neighbourhood Health Plan.

Kevin Burnett asked if an update on Be Well B&NES could be provided to the Panel.

The Director of Public Health & Prevention replied that this could be provided and would expand on elements such as people’s behaviour towards physical activity and how they access it.

Councillor Lesley Mansell said that she was shocked at the lack of available named Social Workers as referred to earlier in the meeting. She asked if any comment could be given regarding the ongoing union ballot relating to salaries in the Social Work teams.

The Assistant Director for Operations & Safeguarding replied that while reviews are ongoing a named Social Worker is in place, afterwards there would be a named point of contact.

The Executive Director – People added that conversations were ongoing with ACAS, but were not specifically relating to pay.

Councillor Mansell asked what safeguards are in place to ensure that there is a level playing field for all types of organisations in terms of the Community Support Contracts.

Councillor Born replied that steps were taken during the recent round of contract awards to ensure that smaller organisations were more aware of the process.

Councillor Mansell referred to Child Injury Prevention and asked if the Panel could receive further data regarding this at future meetings.

The Executive Director – People replied that he would seek if this information could be supplied by the Avon Fire & Rescue Service as they were now providing the service referred to.

Councillor Paul Crossley referred to the South West Good Food Local Benchmarking Exercise and said this had the potential for good outcomes if applied properly. He added that he would like the Panel to see some goals and objectives following the conclusion of the process at the end of January.

The Director of Public Health & Prevention replied that this information would inform our Local Food Strategy and suggested that the Panel could receive the survey findings prior to any decision relating to goals and objectives.

Councillor Michael Auton referred to the subject of Supervised Toothbrushing and asked if any areas of B&NES had a low take up and whether any work was also carried out with local dentists.

The Director of Public Health & Prevention replied that she did not have any figures to hand, but could provide them and would seek to find out whether dentists promote the scheme.

Councillor Wright said that she did not think that councillors had been informed about the ACAS discussions and asked how the possible drop in morale would impact their work.

The Executive Director – People said that it was his view that these officers still remain motivated, committed and passionate about their work and that it was a small number who were unhappy with certain terms and conditions.

The Director of Children’s Services & Education replied that the majority of staff benefitted through the ‘Be Our Best’ process, but she was aware that some colleagues were unhappy and that they were working to find solutions to the issues raised.

The Chair asked that the Panel be informed of the outcome of the ballot on its conclusion.

She concluded the item by thanking Councillor Born for her update on behalf of the Panel.