Council and councillors

(KEY DECISION)

Report No. 105/2017

(KEY DECISION)

Report No. 105/2017 from the Director of Public Health was received.

Mr Clifton, Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Safeguarding introduced the report, the purpose of which was to set out the process and proposed award criteria for the procurement of a substance misuse and community treatment service, along with recommendations for approval and delegation of final award.

During discussion the following points were raised:

      i.        There had been an increase in people accessing the service under the new provider and in particular for alcohol misuse amongst older people.  This reflected the Rutland demographic;

    ii.        The increase in use of the service was likely to be the result of work done around promotion of the service, engagement with other services, targeted services and improved accessibility;

   iii.        The service had previously been provided by 3 separate services  across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland at a cost to Rutland of £201,300 per year.  In 2016 an interim service had been put in place which had resulted in much greater value for money with increased numbers of people accessing the service at a much lower cost (£80,000 per annum);

   iv.        Funding was currently provided from a ring fenced Public Health Grant and as such any savings within that grant must be spent on Public Health Provision.  It was likely that from April 2019 that funding would come from the authorities main budget;

    v.        Part of the procurement criteria requested details regarding location, which was seen as important in ensuring the success of the service.  It was identified that it may also be in the interests of the service to be able to change its location at some later date should a more suitable site be identified;

   vi.        Mr Wilby highlighted that there did not appear to be a holistic approach with regard to prevention and education, warning young people of the dangers of substance misuse in order to avoid the need for such services;

  vii.        Mrs Crowson, Senior Public Health Manager, confirmed that the current service were very proactive working with schools, youth workers and primary care staff in order to share their knowledge and expertise;

viii.        There were also other services which focused on prevention, so the main focus of this service was specialist treatment for people who had become dependent on alcohol and drugs;

   ix.        The Warning Zone had a very important part to play in education around drug and alcohol misuse for younger children, but some primary schools were not using this facility and it was also raised that the messages may have been forgotten by the time that children reach secondary school age; and

    x.        There was some concern regarding the message on prevention getting through to secondary school age young people, it was agreed that the Director for People, Dr O’Neill would raise this at the Head Teachers Briefing on 19 June 2017.

DECISION

1.    Cabinet APPROVED the procurement model and award criteria for a substance misuse and community treatment service for Rutland.

2.    Cabinet AUTHORISED the Director for People in consultation with the Director of Public Health and the Cabinet Member with portfolio for Adult Social Care and Health, to award the contract resulting from this procurement in line with the Award Criteria.

Reasons for Decision

1.    Provision of specialist support for those with drug and alcohol problems to meet the health needs of Rutland residents would have positive impacts for individuals, families and communities.  Collaboration with partner agencies and the Safer Rutland Partnership would strengthen efforts to reduce harm.  A recovery orientated community treatment service was an essential component of a collaborative harm reduction programme.

2.    In order for the procurement process to commence the award criteria needed to be approved by Cabinet.  The criteria had been carefully considered to ensure that providers successful in the process were capable of meeting the requirements and could deliver appropriate quality services in Rutland.

3.    Decisions would only be taken in line with Cabinet approved criteria.

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Mrs T Crowson left the meeting and did not return.

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