Decision details

Approval was sought to authorise the Director of Adult Social Care to approve the early voluntary cessation of the Sandwell Community Caring Trust (SCCT) 30-year contract for 80 care home beds, of which 20 years are remaining with effect from 30 April 2022.

Reason for Decision

The landscape of social care was dynamic and would continue to change. Although this contract met the needs of the service 10 years ago there was now a more progressive approach to service delivery which focussed on supporting people to lead independent lives within their own communities with a reduced reliance on residential care. The council wished to ensure that it future proofed care and support options and provided the best quality services to its citizens which no longer relied on traditional models but deliver cutting edge design, technology and access.

To achieve this the council had invested in exciting new developments which offer further choice options for vulnerable people.

The term and value of the contract allowed very little flexibility. The existing 20- year term did not support the council’s current corporate objectives and both parties agreed that the contract was no longer fit for purpose.

SCCT approached SMBC in June 2020 to start negotiations to end the 30-year contract by mutual arrangement.

Alternative Options Considered

A number of options were considered by members including

seeking to direct award a contract to an existing delivery partner for up to 12 months whilst a formal procurement process was undertaken, to work with the current lead provider for a maximum of up to six months to maintain the service while a tender process was undertaken to secure a new lead provider or to work with the current lead provider for the duration of the contract.

Agreed:-

(1)     that the Director of Adult Social Care be authorised to approve the early voluntary cessation of the Sandwell Community Caring Trust  30- year contract for 80 care home beds, of which 20 years are remaining with effect from 30 April 2022;

(2)     that subject to Resolution (1) above, a further report be submitted to Cabinet on options for the site of the former Grafton Lodge Care home which closed in December 2020. parallel to the period of the directly awarded contract;

(3)     that approval be given to the asset freehold for Hall Green Care Home being retained by Sandwell Community Caring Trust on termination of the contract and agree to Sandwell Community Caring Trust repaying council funds from the sale of Greenhaven;

(4)     that the Director of Law & Governance and Monitoring Officer be authorised to execute all legal or other documentation to give effect to the decisions of Cabinet in relation to the cessation of the contract with SCCT and transfer of the asset freehold as set out in (1)-(3) above;

(5)     that a further report be submitted to Cabinet on approval for another procurement process to be undertaken following the confirmation of funding from the Joint Partnership Board in June 2022.