Issue - decisions

Transfer of Adult Social Care services

1.  To note the update on progress of the transfer of Adult Social Care (ASC) services and the outcome of the internal audit.

2.  To endorse continuation of the delegated responsibility for the transfer of ASC services to the Director of Adult Social Services, in consultation with the Lead Cabinet member for Adult Services, noting the November 2022 Cabinet approval for the transfer of ASC to B&NES Council (Transfer Decision Ref: E3393) including the delegated responsibility for the transfer of ASC services to the Director of Adult Social Services, and the commitment held against the social care reserve as a mitigation against any financial risk associated with the transfer following due diligence on current and future operating costs. Members will be aware of the underlying pressure on the Quarter 2 ASC revenue budget due to increasing demand in learning disability and older people services. The service is working hard to deliver in year mitigations to address revenue pressures. This is expected to place a demand on the ASC reserve to support the move to a balanced budget.

Commissioning of Public Health services

3.  To approve the delegated responsibility for the commissioning of Public Health services to the Director of Public Health and Prevention, in consultation with the Lead Cabinet member for Adult Services.

4.  To endorse the proposal for the direct commissioning of Public Health services as of 1 April 2025 (through current arrangements via a mix of directly delivered and sub-contracted services by HCRG Care Group through existing contract arrangements until 31 March 2024) and subsequently the interim arrangements until 31 March 2025, as referred to below. Noting delegated authority for the future commissioning of these services sits with the Director of Public Health and Prevention.

5.  To approve the revised best estimate of funding liability of £18,116,521 which includes contributions for Community Health, Public Health and Community Partners delivered services and the Council’s contribution towards the Better Care Fund (BCF) for 2024/25 in respect of the approved proposal for an interim contractual arrangement. This is in accordance with the decision taken in July 2023 (see Update on Contractual Arrangement Decision 23/24 Ref: E3469) and services will be delivered within the existing budgetary envelopes.

6.  To approve the proposals for the Council to commission Community Partner delivered services directly (excluding those in the Health strategic commissioning group, see Section 3.17 of the report) as of 1 April 2025 (currently delivered through the existing arrangement with the HCRG Care Group and proposed interim arrangements until 31 March 2025 as referred to below). Noting delegated authority for the future commissioning of these services sits with the Director of Adult Social Services and the Director of Public Health and Prevention Services.

7.  To endorse the continued engagement and involvement of relevant officers in the procurement process for the Integrated Community Based Care programme, including the approach to selection, timelines and public engagement for community services beyond April 2025, as per the request from colleagues on the ICB Board noting any future decisions around commissioning decisions will be in accordance with existing delegations.

8.  To agree ongoing support from officers to determine the strategic case for a Community Wellbeing Hub (CWH) and to agree to Phase 2 of the Outline Business Case (OBC) commencing to inform a final OBC.  A subsequent paper will be presented to Cabinet at a later date (note existing arrangements from Section 3.26 of the report).