Agenda item

[To note, scrutinise and comment on the draft People Directorate Commissioning Strategy]

Councillor Sandra Samuels and Brendan Cliffordpresented the draft People Directorate Commissioning Strategy for the board to comment on before final submission to Cabinet for approval.

Councillor Sandra Samuels highlighted that the strategy brings together a wide range of transformational activity, which would guide the People Directorate through a single narrative and model. An early draft of the strategy had been shared with Ofsted who reacted positively. The strategy addresses the needs of the community, assisted by the reorganisation of the commissioning unit. Councillor Sandra Samuels informed the board that she was happy to answer questions, assisted by Brendon Clifford.

The board was pleased with the overall approach however raised concern in relation to the risk of non-compliance and unsatisfactory standards of service. Councillor Sandra Samuels advised that there was a quality framework that providers would be assessed against with regular inspections. Brendon Clifford added that officers had regular contact with the care homes and shared soft intelligence with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The cabinet member was also kept appraised of the outcome of inspections and informed of any issues.

The board noted the predicted 44.7% increase in elderly people by 2037, emphasising the need to anticipate the increase in demand.

The board queried whether there were safeguards in place if external providers withdrew for commercial reasons. Councillor Sandra Samuels stated that a team had been established in response to previous occurrences of this situation and this team distributed the individuals that the home was responsible for between other homes across the city. Brendon Clifford added there was currently an oversupply of care home provision, so there was capacity to rehouse if required. 

The board queried how much notice providers were required to give for terminating their contract, Brendon Clifford responded that it was at least a month and that their duty of care would mean this was likely to be longer.

The board queried who had the power during the commissioning process. Brendon Clifford advised that the council was independent but co-operative with its partners and that the law states that all parties involved had a responsibility to integrate and work together. To this end, the council has raised its financial contribution to the cost of care.

The board queried whether there was a case to build an in-house care provision service. Councillor Sandra Samuels said that 90% of adult social care (ASC) had been out sourced and the council’s increased financial contribution of £14.12/hour was still cheaper than the cost for an in-house service to be provided.

The board requested that councillors be provided with training on commissioning processes, so that councillors were well informed when dealing with public scrutiny.

The board inquired as to what consultation had been undertaken in regards to commissioning and steps taken to ensure accountable care. Brendon Clifford responded that Linda Sanders (Strategic Director of People) attended the Executive Commissioning Group and that Paul Smith (Head of Commissioning) attended the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) committee to provide influence and raise issues on behalf of the Council. The strategy also ensures accountability by using the relevant sections of the NHS Five Year Forward View.

The board queried whether the Strategic Sustainability Plan had been considered and how it fitted into the integrated plan. Councillor Sandra Samuels advised that the Sustainable Transformation Plan had been considered, Brendon Clifford detailed the aims of the plan and that they were a fundamental part of the Sustainable Transformation Plan.

The board raised the potential issue of a local hospital closing and the members discussed the idea of a joint meeting of several scrutiny panels, (Confident, Capable, Council, Adults and Safer City and Health). The chair specified that each panel would look at their respective area to further analyse the strategy at the conclusion of the mental health strategy review.

Resolved:

1.     That the draft People Directorate Commissioning Strategy 2017-21 Shaping Futures, Changing Lives be submitted to Cabinet for approval.

2.     That an informative commissioning workshop be provided to all  councillors.

3.     That meetings of joint scrutiny panels (Confident, Capable, Council, Adults and Safer City and Health) be arranged to further analyse the strategy at the conclusion of the Adult Mental Care Commissioning review.

Brendon Clifford left the meeting at 18:47.