The Group Manager – Commissioning Contracts & Performance presented a report updating Cabinet on Local Authority responsibilities in respect of the commissioning of residential and nursing care home services, following the implementation of the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014.

The report also sought approval to continue the waiver under Contract Procedure Rule 3.2.3, from the requirement to competitively tender the provision of residential and nursing care home services for a further one year period and to enter into new contracts with existing residential and nursing care providers, and enter into contracts with any new providers identified by the Local Authority, for a contract period of one year; to implement and make payments to care homes against a revised Care Home Standard Price Schedule for 2020/21 and to enter into a Pooled Fund Agreement and arrangements for older people’s care home accommodation functions with Cwm Taf Morgannwg partners.

The Group Manager – Commissioning Contracts & Performance outlined the background and the current position with regard to care home contracts. He reported a correction to the report, paragraph 4.11 – “This initial engagement is being followed up with a final draft being circulated in February 2020” which should read “March 2020”.  He explained the Care Home Price Schedule 2020/21, third party top-up additional costs charges and how BCBC’s 2019-20 rates compared with national averages. He reported on the requirement to establish and maintain a regional pooled fund in relation to the exercise of their care home accommodation functions for older people. He added that a draft pooled fund agreement based on the terms of the existing Cwm Taf arrangement had been prepared and was currently subject to review and agreement.

The Cabinet Member for Social Services and Early Help reported that this was a comprehensive report outlining what the authority delivered and where the authority sat in Wales. A cost pressure of £157k had to be met through existing resources and/or by making efficiencies elsewhere within the directorate. It was helpful to have pooled funding arrangements in place and with rising costs for nursing care provision, they had to identify what care was available above the 420 existing placements. 

The Group Manager – Commissioning Contracts & Performance replied that they were in the process of reviewing placements and looking to work with additional care home providers. 

The Cabinet Member for Wellbeing and Future Generations asked if there was already a pooled fund in Cwm Taf. The Group Manager – Commissioning Contracts & Performance explained that there was a pooled fund in place and the two other authorities were already in it. He had already attended some of the meetings so had a good idea of how it worked.

The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing confirmed that there was a requirement across Wales for everyone to enter into a pooled arrangement. They had not entered into a pooled arrangement yet because they were in the process of moving to Cwm Taf.

The Deputy Leader asked if the list of existing residential and nursing care providers contained within the report, was a definitive list. The Group Manager – Commissioning Contracts & Performance replied that it was a list of accredited and contracted providers. If demand increased, they would look to enter into contracts if need dictated.

The Leader asked about a premium payment for providers who provided a higher level of care and the Funded Nursing Care (FNC) component. The Group Manager – Commissioning Contracts & Performance explained that a review was being undertaken by Welsh Government and then he outlined the way it was calculated and he confirmed that it had been budgeted for. He added that robust monitoring visits were in place and there were regular meetings with care providers. Systems were in place to escalate concerns including suspending admissions if necessary.

RESOLVED:                Cabinet:

·      Gave approval to continue the waiver under Contract Procedure Rule 3.2.3, from the requirement to competitively tender the provision of residential and nursing care home services for a further one year period.

·      Gave approval to enter into new contracts based on the agreed common contract and specification with existing residential and nursing care providers (Appendix 1), and to enter into contracts with any new providers identified by the Local Authority, for a contract period of one year.

·      Noted that during that one year period Officers would monitor the effectiveness of the new regional contractual terms and conditions, liaise with existing accredited service providers and consider the viability of establishing an openly procured flexible framework of care home providers based on the terms and conditions of the regional contract and specification for a longer term duration.

·      Gave approval to implement and make payments to care homes against a revised Care Home Standard Price Schedule for the 2020/21 financial year – paragraph 4.22.

·      Delegated authority to the Corporate Director for Social Services and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer and Head of Legal and Regulatory Services, to negotiate and enter into a Pooled Fund Agreement and arrangements for older people’s care home accommodation functions with regional (Cwm Taf Morgannwg) partners.