Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Adult Social Care

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Adult Social Care seeking approval on the terms of the extension to the Sefton New Directions Limited contract and to update Members on joint working with Sefton New Directions Limited to review services.

for the commencement of a project and consultation relating to the way in which the Council makes payments to the care home sector and to provide an update on work taking place within the sector.

Decision Made:      That:

(1)      Authorise an extension to current contractual arrangements with Sefton New Directions Limited, consisting of an initial three-year period from 1^st October 2019 with the further option to extend for a further twelve months after the initial extension period;

(2)      Authorise that future decisions on any variations to the contract, and the option to implement the further twelve-month extension to the contract (beyond the initial three-year extension) be delegated to the Director of Adult Social Care in consultation with the Cabinet Member – Adult Social Care; and

(3)      Note the contents of the report with respect to the continued joint working taking place with Sefton New Directions Limited to review services.

Reason for the Decision:

To establish new contractual arrangements with Sefton New Directions Limited, hereinafter referred to as New Directions, thus ensuring that services continue to be delivered.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

Not Awarding a Contract Extension – this option was considered and rejected as New Directions is both a Council wholly owned council company and an organisation which remains a key partner to the Council, delivering a range of strategically important services.  Furthermore, if the contract was not extended then services to vulnerable people may be affected as new providers would need to be procured.