Agenda item

This report provides the Committee with an opportunity to review and comment on the draft Cabinet papers on the proposed interim arrangements for the transition period, which includes varying some existing contacts in order to extend their initial contract terms, decommissioning some of the services and potentially commissioning pilot/alternative arrangements during the transition period.

(a)  Councillor Sue Lent (Cabinet Member, Early Years, Children & Families and Deputy Leader) has been invited to comment on the draft Cabinet Report;

(b)  Tony Young (Director, Social Services), Angela Bourge (Operational Manager Strategy, Performance and Resources), and Ceri George (Improvement Project Manager – Prevention and Partnerships) will comment on the report and be available to answer questions;

(c)   Questions from Committee Members.

The Chairperson welcomed Councillor Sue Lent (Cabinet Member, Early Years, Children & Families and Deputy Leader), Tony Young (Director, Social Services), Angela Bourge (Operational Manager Strategy, Performance and Resources), and Ceri George (Improvement Project Manager – Prevention and Partnerships) to the meeting.

The report provided the Committee with an opportunity to review and comment on the draft Cabinet papers on the proposed interim arrangements for the transition period, which included varying some existing contacts in order to extend their initial contract terms, decommissioning some of the services and potentially commissioning pilot/alternative arrangements during the transition period.

Members were provided with a copy of a letter received from SOVA in relation to funding being ceased and service being de-commissioned.

The Chairperson invited the Cabinet Member to make a statement in which she said that there is a report due to Cabinet in the next week; they are trying to protect transition arrangements therefore the letter from SOVA was regrettable; this had been grant funded but administered by the Council.

The Director stated that this technical report sets out the 1 year transition arrangements, they were welcome changes focussing on what can be done regarding prevention, however this would impact on other providers which was unfortunate.

Members were provided with a presentation which included information on current position, new directions, proposals, services to be extended, preparing for new commissioning and a draft timetable.

The Chairperson invited questions and comments from Members;

• Members noted that the letter suggested withdrawal of funding could increase the work picked up by the team around the family and sought clarification on this.  Officers advised that work was being done to identify families that need help, referring them to the right services and also working with schools.  A free phone service had also been delivered which was hoped to be extended, it was noted however that improvements were needed in Step Up/Down services.

• Members noted that it was a sound report with reasons for removing elements of funding being sound but stressed that when recommissioning it was important to explore relationships with new providers rather than fall back into relationships with previous organisations.  Officers agreed and explained that the new tendering process would make it clear that it was open to all, including possible in house elements; officers were looking at standing orders currently.

AGREED – That the Chairperson on behalf of the Committee writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.