The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing presented a report which sought authority to waive the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules (CPRS) in accordance with CPR 3.2.3 in respect of the provision of a Care and Support Service at HM Prison and Youth Offenders’ Institution Parc (HMP & YOI Parc).

The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing provided background surrounding the new set of responsibilities for Local Authorities which was approved by Cabinet in July 2016. She explained that from 2016, local authorities had been responsible for addressing and meeting the care and support needs of all adults and young people in the secure estate not just upon discharge but while they were in custody. She added that in July 2016 Cabinet report sought approval to enter into a pilot arrangement with G4S Health Services (UK) Limited, and sought authorisation to waive the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules under 3.2.3 from the requirement to seek competitive tenders for the provision of care and support within HMP & YOI Parc on the basis that there was technically only one potential provider of the care and support services for the reasons set out in that report. This was approved and a pilot arrangement/contract was entered into with G4S Health Services. Further background was at section 3 of the report.

The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing explained that the pilot arrangement was successful, but had now expired. It was requested that Cabinet approve a new contract with G4S Health Services (UK) Ltd from 1 st April 2021 for a period of 2 years with the option to extend up to 2 years. The approximate cost of a 4 year period would be £420k. She added that there was not an exact cost as care hours fluctuate and we were anticipating to see a need for increase in care hours going forward due to the population getting older and the need for care being greater. Further information was at section 4 of the report.

The Cabinet Member Social Services and Wellbeing welcomed the report and stated that while we did not have a lot of choice in who to partner with, it had been established that there was a strong working relationship with G4S and Parc Prison. We were continually monitoring their work and they had been compliant with Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) and the service provided was as good as it could be. The Leader echoed this and stated that it was a specialist service that was being delivered and was assured that the service was of high quality. The Leader asked what the cost arrangements were around the service.

The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing explained that the unit cost for the service was good value for money in terms of comparable of what we paid across the domiciliary care sector. She added that this would be continually monitored throughout the 2 years of the arrangements.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:

• Approved a waiver of the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules under Rule 3.2.3 from the relevant parts of the Contract Procedure Rules for the procurement of the provision of care and support within HMP and YOI Parc, on the basis that there is technically only one organisation which can deliver this service.

• Delegated authority to the Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing, to approve the final terms of the contract with G4S Health Services (UK) Ltd on behalf of the Council and to arrange execution of the contract on behalf of the Council, subject to such delegated authority being exercised in consultation with the Chief Officer - Legal, HR and Regulatory Services and Interim Chief Officer – Finance, Performance and Change.