The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing presented a report recommending that Cabinet tender as a going concern one of BCBC’s internal residential care homes which was currently in-scope for the Extra Care Housing (ECH) scheme plans.

The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing explained the background to the proposals and details of the project timetable provided by Linc Cymru for the sites at Maesteg and Ynysawdre. She explained that following the opportunity for an independent provider to purchase as a going concern one of the 3 Council care homes an appraisal was undertaken. Ty Cwm Ogwr was identified as the most appropriate and in July 2017 Cabinet gave authority for targeted engagement and consultation with individuals, families and staff affected by the proposal. In January 2018, a Subject Overview and Scrutiny Committee welcomed the proposal including the Trade Union’s involvement during the engagement and consultation process. Members raised concerns in respect of survey response rates and recommended that when reporting to Cabinet, additional detail should be provided regarding potential savings and safeguarding processes which had been addressed in the latest report.

The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing outlined the engagement and consultation process, including follow-ups with residents who were unsure of the proposals or where further information had been requested. She explained the procurement approach using the Most Economically Advantageous Tender with established criteria and appropriate weighting applied to quality/price. She explained that it was anticipated that approximately 40 staff employed at Ty Cwm Ogwr prior to transfer, would TUPE across at contract commencement depending on how the successful provider proposed to deliver the service moving forward.

The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing outlined the benefits and risks of the proposal including the steps taken to mitigate the risks. In light of the positive response to the proposal received from those directly affected and the associated benefits it was recommended that Ty Cwm Ogwr care home was tendered as a going concern. The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing added that there would be no financial implication for BCBC in phasing in new models of care over time as the additional funding of Nursing/Nursing EMI placements would be met by health through Funded Nursing Care payments.

The Cabinet Member for Social Services and Early Help thanked the Corporate Director for the comprehensive presentation and in particular the risk and finance elements. This proposal would provide a much welcomed nursing care provision and would maximise the number of beds available in Bridgend.

The Deputy Leader commented that he was happy that Ty Cwm Ogwr was in his ward in ward and that this was a good news story for both staff and residents. There would be no changes in terms of performance and BCBC would still be involved in contract monitoring. There were many independent providers in Bridgend and they came under one umbrella when it came to assessment. The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing added that all providers were expected to be on the quality framework with a set of standards to be met and they were subject to contract monitoring. In the tender it would be based on between 60% and 70% quality and 30% to 40% cost. The quality element was always at the forefront.

The Cabinet Member for Wellbeing and Future Generations explained that she was in support of the proposal and asked why only 21 responses had been received from 40 staff. The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing explained that there had been continual consultations with staff, with a number of staff meetings in the home and newsletters and that it had been an ongoing process. Staff had the opportunity to approach officers and were very well informed and it was possible that they didn’t feel the need to come forward again.  

The Leader stressed that an important aspect of the proposal was that the 40 staff employed at Ty Cwm Ogwr would continue to be in employment in the Ogmore Valley and that this proposal would help with the increase in demand for nursing places. 

The Cabinet Member for Communities welcomed the report which addressed a need that had been identified and he welcomed the positive results that had been received in response to the consultation. There would be little or no disruption to residents with the way the transfer would be implemented and it was a good news story with congratulations to all involved.

RESOLVED:            Cabinet:

•  Noted the information contained in the report;

•          Gave approval to tender Ty Cwm Ogwr in line with the proposals at 4.6 of the report;

•           Delegated authority to the Cabinet Member for Social Services and Early Help to approve the award of the contract to the successful bidder under Scheme A of the Scheme of Delegation.