Issue - items at meetings - Framework agreement for provision of minor adaptations works to the homes of disabled people in the owner occupied and privately rented sectors.

Report of Director of Adult Social Services and Lead Commissioner People (copy attached).

(1)        That the procurement of a new framework agreement for minor adaptations works to the homes of disabled people, in the owner occupied, privately rented and public sectors be approved for a term of three years subject to annual review within the term.

(2)        That the Lead Commissioner be authorised to enter into the framework agreement with contractors following a compliant procurement process.

(3)        That the Lead Commissioner of Adult Social Care Delivery Unit be authorised to take all steps necessary or incidental to the implementation of recommendations 2.1. and 2.2 and including the awarding of the framework agreement.

40.1    The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Adult Social Services and Lead Commissioner People which sought approval for the creation of a framework agreement for minor adaptations works to the homes of disabled people, primarily in the owner occupied and privately rented sectors, but also (to a lesser degree) in the public sector.  Minor adaptations works were structural and electrical works up to £1000.  These works were currently undertaken for Adult Social Care by 4 separate contractors.  The value of the framework agreement over three years was calculated to be £1.1 million.

40.2    The Service Development Occupational Therapist informed the Cabinet Member that the advantage of the framework was that there would be better value for money.  It provided the opportunity to bring separate contracts into one overall contract.  It was also a good time to negotiate a better contract due to the economic climate.  Minor adaptations over £500 would be considered at a Scrutiny Panel.  The Framework Agreement would speed up the process for the user.  

40.3    Councillor Lepper asked who managed and monitored the work carried out.  She referred to the Scrutiny Panel mentioned above, and asked what criteria was used to see who was carrying out the work.  The financial comments in the report noted that the capital funding available for 2011/12 onwards had not been confirmed.  Councillor Lepper asked if it was confirmed; how would it compare with last year’s budget.  Was it driven by budget reductions or was it an improvement to the service.  

40.4    The Head of Commissioning Partnerships replied to explain that there were efficiencies to be made in how adaptations were delivered.  In terms of hospital discharges it was important to provide a better service. The proposals were about making the service more efficient.      

40.5    The Service Development Occupational Therapist stated that 96% of minor adaptations were performed within seven days.  She stressed that sometimes staff encountered complex situations, such as dealing with adaptations within a conservation area.  The Scrutiny Panel looked at issues such as equipment to see if it was providing best value for money and whether it was the best item for the service user.  The number of minor adaptations over £500 was very small.   The council was currently using housing contractors.  The framework would be an opening to the private and voluntary sector.  The work being carried out would be closely monitored.   

40.6    The Cabinet Member stated that his experience was that adaptations were carried out very quickly by the department.  Councillor Lepper replied that she knew of a case where a handrail on a flight of stairs took 18 months to be installed.  The Head of Commissioning Partnerships stated that she would be happy to speak to Councillor Lepper about these issues but her understanding was that the service was good.

40.7    The Operational Manager – Housing Adaptations Team informed the Cabinet Member that the Housing Adaptation Service was looking at the list of minor works and getting the work completed through the Neighbourhood Response Teams as quickly as possible.  Redirecting the work to Adult Social Care was not always the best route.   

40.8    The Lawyer asked for clarity about the framework agreement, which covered both the private and public sector.  She noted that the Housing Revenue Account Disabled Adaptation budget funded approximately £80,000 per annum for minor adaptations to council dwellings.  She asked if the Cabinet Member for Housing was content with the content of the report.  

40.9    The Cabinet Member confirmed that the Director of Adult Social Services and Lead Commissioner People had been in contact with both the Cabinet Member for Housing and the Leader of the Council about this issue.  They were both in agreement with the contents of the  report.

40.10  RESOLVED – Having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the Cabinet Member accepted the following recommendations:

(1)       That the procurement of a new framework agreement for minor adaptations works to the homes of disabled people, in the owner occupied, privately rented and public sectors be approved for a term of three years subject to annual review within the term.

(2)       That the Lead Commissioner be authorised to enter into the framework agreement with contractors following a compliant procurement process.

(3)       That the Lead Commissioner of Adult Social Care Delivery Unit be authorised to take all steps necessary or incidental to the implementation of recommendations 2.1. and 2.2 and including the awarding of the framework agreement.