Decision details

To approve the re-commissioning of the Adult Community Support and Enablement Service (ACSES) Framework.  This includes a recommended option in relation to the financial impact of the original TUPE costs and the potential risks associated with this. That only new support packages will be subject to competition.  All existing support packages will be directly awarded to incumbent providers successful in their tender in line with the Council’s obligations under the Care Act to promote wellbeing.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:-

1.    Approves plans to re-commission the Adult Community Support and Enablement Services (ACSES) Framework following consideration of the financial implications highlighted in section 3.1 of the report;

2.    Approves the direct award of existing care packages to the incumbent providers if their tender is successful; therefore, these packages are not subject to competition. As advised by Legal Services, this is achievable based on the Council’s obligations under the Care Act to promote wellbeing when carrying out any care or support functions in respect of a person;

3.    Notes the complexities of the original TUPE transfer and associated on-costs, the options and risks considered in section 2.6 of the report; and

4.    Approves option 2 to continue to pay an enhanced rate associated with services outsourced to the independent sector based on the vulnerability in the care market, including the financial pressures on this sector and risks associated with capacity and demand.