Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Jacqui Coogan.

No declarations of interests were made.

[To approve the minutes of the previous meeting as a correct record.]

Resolved:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 21 January 2024 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

[To approve the award of contracts for works, goods and services]

1.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Governance and Equalities, in consultation with the Deputy Director of City Assets, to approve the award of a contract for Washroom Services when the evaluation process is complete.

2.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, in consultation with the Director of Resident Services, to approve the award of a contract for Black Country Transport Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIP) Early Development Works Lots 1, 2, 3 and 4 when the evaluation process is complete.

3.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, in consultation with the Director of Resident Services, to approve the award of a contract for Hire of Winter Service Vehicles including Maintenance when the evaluation process is complete.

4.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Jobs, Skills and Education, in consultation with the Deputy Director of Education, to approve the award of a contract for UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Employment Support when the evaluation process is complete.

5.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Director of Adult Social Care to approve the award of a contract for Dementia Community Support Service when the evaluation process is complete.

6.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Director of Public Health, to approve the award of a contract for Our People Project when the evaluation process is complete.

7.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Director of Adult Social Care, to approve the award of a contract for Service, Repair and Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER)  testing of Community Equipment when the evaluation process is complete.

8.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources in consultation with the Director of Finance, to approve the award of a contract for Leaseholder Insurance Services when the evaluation process is complete.

Councillor Louise Miles move the recommendations contained in the report seeking delegated authority for Cabinet Members to approve the award of contracts once the evaluation process is complete.

Cabinet Members reported on the contracts within their portfolio area.

Resolved:

1.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Governance and Equalities, in consultation with the Deputy Director of Assets, to approve the award of a contract for Washroom Services when the evaluation process is complete.

2.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, in consultation with the Director of Resident Services, to approve the award of a contract for Black Country Transport Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans Early Development Works Lots 1, 2, 3 and 4 when the evaluation process is complete.

3.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, in consultation with the Director of Resident Services, to approve the award of a contract for Hire of Winter Service Vehicles including Maintenance when the evaluation process is complete.

4.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Jobs, Skills and Education, in consultation with the Deputy Director of Education, to approve the award of a contract for UK Shared Prosperity Fund Employment Support when the evaluation process is complete.

5.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Director of Adult Social Care to approve the award of a contract for Dementia Community Support Service when the evaluation process is complete.

6.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Director of Public Health, to approve the award of a contract for Our People Project when the evaluation process is complete.

7.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Director of Adult Social Care, to approve the award of a contract for Service, Repair and Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations testing of Community Equipment when the evaluation process is complete.

8.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources in consultation with the Director of Finance, to approve the award of a contract for Leaseholder Insurance Services when the evaluation process is complete.

[To approve the annual fees review for adult social care and support providers]

1.     That the proposed increases in care fee levels for 2024-2025 as set out in the table below be approved to ensure sufficiency and sustainability across the external Adult Social Care market.

Councillor Jasbir Jaspal presented the report on the proposed increase to adult social care fees for 2024-2025. The proposals set out to support the Council in meeting its legal duty under the Care Act 2014 to mount the effective and efficient operation of the market, with its other legal duty of setting a balanced budget.  A 7.45% uplift to the fees paid to externally commissioned adult social care providers was proposed based on a composite rate which takes into account the National Living Wage and inflation. The only exception was for direct payments and personal assistants, for which a 9.79% uplift was proposed as they are solely payroll costs.  The projected net cost of the proposal was £6.6 million based on current packages. Placements and the projected demographic growth could cost an additional £2.9 million in the coming year. Subject to the final budget approval these projected costs could be met from budgets held in adult services.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Stephen Simkins) placed on record his thanks to Becky Wilkinson who had recently left the role of the Council’s Director of Adult Social Care to become the new Executive Director of Adult Social Care and Health Partnership at Salford City Council. He thanked Becky for her work, commitment and the passion she had shown to her roles during her time at the Council and wished her well for the future.

Resolved:

1.    That the proposed increases in care fee levels for 2024-2025 as set out in the table below be approved to ensure sufficiency and sustainability across the external Adult Social Care market.

[To pass the following resolution:

That in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business as it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information on the grounds shown below]

That in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the remaining item of business as it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Resolved:

That in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the remaining item of business as it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

The Chair reported that as stated previously the meeting was in confidential session as the information included in the report could, if released into the public domain, prejudice the financial position of the Council or its partners.  As such all present are under a legal duty of confidentiality and must not disclose any confidential information - to do so would not only be a breach of the Council's codes (for councillors and employees) but also a breach of the legal duty of confidentiality.

[To approve the award of contracts for works, goods and services]

1.      That the Partnership Arrangement to deliver Public Health Services with The Royal Wolverhampton Trust of New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton, WV10 0QP be varied for a three-year programme of annual investment from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2027, with a total variation value of £1,725,000.

2.      That the exemptions to the Contract Procedure Rules approved by the Head of Procurement and Director of Finance from 1 November to 31 December 2023 be noted.

Councillor Louise Miles presented for approval the exempt report on the award of contracts for works, goods and services.  The report also included a list of exemptions to Contract Procedure Rules approved by the Head of Procurement and the Director of Finance during 1 November to 31 December 2023.

Resolved:

1.    That the Partnership Arrangement to deliver Public Health Services with The Royal Wolverhampton Trust of New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton, WV10 0QP be varied for a three-year programme of annual investment from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2027, with a total variation value of £1,725,000.

2.    That the exemptions to the Contract Procedure Rules approved by the Head of Procurement and Director of Finance from 1 November to 31 December 2023 be noted.