The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing presented a report, the purpose of which, was to seek authority to vary the current contract with DRIVE Ltd in respect of the specialist supported living service at Clos Penglyn, by extending the existing term for a further 12 months, in accordance with Contract Procedure Rule (CPR) 3.2.9.3.

She explained that the current contract for the provision of a specialist supported living service at Clos Penglyn for individuals with complex learning disabilities and autism was commissioned in 2016, and was awarded to DRIVE Ltd following a tender exercise being undertaken. The existing contract in place with DRIVE Ltd expires on 31^st August 2020, with no further extension provision.

Due to the significant and unforeseen impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the subsequent ‘lockdown’ restrictions in place to control further infection, it has not been possible for officers to carry out a recommissioning exercise as had been originally intended, or to competitively tender the service.

In view of uncertainty over the duration of the existing ‘lockdown’ measures in place, it is proposed that the existing contract in place with DRIVE Ltd for the provision of a specialist supported living service at Clos Penglyn be extended for a further 12 months, to 31^st August 2021, which is the length of time necessary in order to carry out a recommissioning exercise. The recommissioning activity will involve engagement with key stakeholders, which will be reliant on easing of the restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 lockdowns in place. There are also capacity issues with Commissioning Team members focusing on Covid-related activities, all of which requires a further 12 months extension.

The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing, advised that there is provision under CPR 3.2.9.3 to seek to modify an existing contract in certain circumstances, as was outlined in paragraph 4.2 of the report.

           She concluded this item, by confirming that the need for modification has been brought about by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, circumstances which the Council could not have foreseen when entering into the original contract with Drive. The overall nature of the contract would not be altered, and all other contractual terms remain unchanged, as the proposed variation is for a 12 month extension only. The proposed modification does not exceed 50% of the original contract value.

The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing referred Members to the financial implications of the report, for further details on the value of the proposed modification.

The Cabinet Member – Social Services and Early Help supported the extension of the contract for 12 months, due to the reasons outlined in the report.

The Leader added that the changes being made have addressed some of the escalating concerns so highlighted in the thrust of the report and he felt that the local Member(s) for this area should be updated on the decision of Cabinet in this matter.

RESOLVED:                        That Cabinet authorised the modification of the existing contract with DRIVE Ltd in relation to Clos Penglyn, by extending the existing term for a further 12 months to 31^st August 2021, in accordance with CPR 3.2.9.3.