Issue - items at meetings - Discharge to Assess for People Experiencing Mental Ill Health

Report of the Executive Director, Adult Health and Social Care (copy attached)

RESOLVED – (1)That the Adult Social Care & Public Health Sub Committee grants delegated authority to the Executive Director of Health & Adult Social Care (HASC) to take all necessary steps to;

(i)procure and award a co-commissioned contract for a discharge to assess service (D2A) for people experiencing mental ill health at a value of £374,681 per annum for five years where the Clinical Commissioning Group will contribute £281,003 per annum and Brighton & Hove City Council will contribute £93,678 per annum. The CCG have yet to confirm funding and procurement will only take place if the funding is confirmed;

(ii) to grant an extension to the contract referred to in 2.1.1 for a period or periods of up to two years in total if it is deemed appropriate and subject to available budget.

28.1    The Sub Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Health and Adult Social Care advising that following approval at the Procurement Advisory Board on 26 July 2021 this paper was intended to provide an overview of the proposed Discharge to Assess for People with Mental Ill Heath procurement and sought approval to proceed with a joint Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC) and Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) procurement process.

28.2    Councillor Mears stated that she was aware that contracts which involved Section 75 arrangements had on occasion been contentious in the past and sought confirmation that no Section 75 monies were still due to the council. Councillor Mears also sought clarification as to whether/what responsibilities lay with Housing. The Executive Director, Health and Adult Social Care, Rob Persey, explained that responsibility for this provision lay with Adult Social Care, however there was very close liaison with the Housing, Neighbourhoods and Communities Executive in order ensure that provision under the Care Act was fit for purpose. Existing documents were in the process of being refreshed and being re-written.

28.3    In answer to questions it was explained that a further update could be provided outside the Sub Committee meeting. Councillor Mears stated whilst she understood the merits of Pan-Sussex provision she just wanted to be sure that this council had a fair influence over this £64m programme. Whilst welcoming the information provided Councillor Mears stated that it would have been beneficial to receive this information in advance of the meeting. Whilst supporting the principle of what was being proposed she dis not feel that she had been provided with sufficient contextual information to enable her to support the report recommendations.

28.4    Councillor Shanks considered it disappointing that the council was unable to set its own rates for Housing Benefits. It was explained that discussions on this issue had taken place at national level a few years previously but had not progressed.

28.5    Councillor Appich considered it would be beneficial and timely if that debate could be revisited. In answer to further questions by Councillor Appich it was explained that the proposed arrangements would not progress further until the CCG had received confirmation regarding the level of funding. What was proposed would be fully supported by the CCG.

28.6    A vote was taken and on a vote of 4 with 1 abstention the report recommendations were agreed as set out below.

28.7    RESOLVED – (1) That the Adult Social Care & Public Health Sub Committee grants delegated authority to the Executive Director of Health & Adult Social Care (HASC) to take all necessary steps to;

(i)procure and award a co-commissioned contract for a discharge to assess service (D2A) for people experiencing mental ill health at a value of £374,681 per annum for five years where the Clinical Commissioning Group will contribute £281,003 per annum and Brighton & Hove City Council will contribute £93,678 per annum. The CCG have yet to confirm funding and procurement will only take place if the funding is confirmed;

(ii) to grant an extension to the contract referred to in 2.1.1 for a period or periods of up to two years in total if it is deemed appropriate and subject to available budget.