Decision - Integrated Community Equipment Service

Introduction

24.1    The Board considered a report of the Executive Director, Adult Services which set out future commissioning options for the Integrated Community Equipment Service (ICES) in Brighton & Hove.   The options were explained in paragraphs 2.6 to 2.9.  The report was presented by Denise D’Souza. 

24.2    Ms D’Souza stressed that the staff at the equipment store did a very good job and the service was valued by those who received it.  The Service was jointly provided and had been jointly commissioned by the CCG and the LA since 2004.  It was staffed by 7 local authority employees and 15 Sussex Community Trust staff.     Demand for the service had grown since 2004.    Sussex Community Trust had decided that the service was not part of their core business and the Local Authority did not have the capital to invest in the service.

24.3    The Board were informed that the current building was in significant need of repair and a minimum of £193,000 was required to meet the minimum standards necessary for the building alone.  This would still not address the lack of space for equipment, the poor decontamination facilities and the lack of space and facilities for staff. 

24.4    Ms D’Souza stressed that it was necessary to move from the store and meet rising demands for the service.  There was a need to improve delivery times and to have a daily delivery, seven days a week.  There was also a need to improve recycling, and show value for money.  A range of options for the service were presented in the report.  Option 1 was recommended.

Questions and Discussion

24.5    Councillor Morgan considered that the Board had been presented with a fait accompli. Councillor Morgan quoted a letter he had received from a union representing staff and agreed with the concerns raised.  He stressed that the service had been highly valued over many years, and asked why the Board were not being asked to start its own company in the city.  There were valid concerns over any service tendered out to the private sector.  If it was too late to consider alternatives then Councillor Morgan asked for earlier and proper consultation.   

24.6    Denise D’Souza replied that there had been conversations about involving the third sector in setting up a local service but this would have required the same amount of capital as the Local Authority. 

24.7    Geraldine Hoban stated that a local service was an attractive proposition but the economy of scale that a small city could work in would be prohibitive.  A store in Brighton & Hove would not be able to keep large equipment such as bariatric beds.

24.8    The Chair stated that there was no spare capital for a local service and none of the voluntary or third sector had any money. 

24.9    Councillor Norman agreed with comments made by  Denise D’Souza and Geraldine Hoban and stated that he supported the proposals.  He agreed that there was no money to invest in the current service and he stressed the need to modernise and improve the service.  There was no reason why a new organisation could not provide a better service.

24.10  Resolved –

(1) That the Policy & Resources Committee be recommended to approve that the Council and the CCG enter into a contract with the equipment provider selected by West Sussex County Council (WSCC) as set out in Option 1 (paragraph 2.6 of the report).