To consider the process to re-procure care home places for older people and pass comments on to the Executive . The outcome of this process and the award of contracts is due to be considered by the Executive on 5^th December 2017. 

The Head of Managing the Needs of Older People (MANOP) introduced a report that set out the background and procedure for the re-procurement of care homes places for older people.  The new contract set out the specification for care services, monitoring arrangements, fee rates and detailed terms and conditions in order to meet the Council’s objectives.  Key changes include: -

·         a contract period of 15 years with the provision for contract variation and a ‘break clause’ were included.

·         The contract would align arrangements with Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group and allow joint development of new services.

·         The payment of third party top ups would be regularised with arrangements for collection and distribution.

RECOMMENDED that the Committee: -

1.    Agreed that the framework model with spot contracting as a fall-back option was the appropriate approach.

2.    Welcomed and endorsed the approach being taken to contracting with the care home market.

3.    Was supportive of the proposals to deliver greater transparency and clarity on the costs of residential care through publication of information and the development of more robust arrangements for the management of 3rd Party Top Ups and customer contributions.

4.    Looked forward to hearing the positive outcomes that could be achieved through co-working with Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group.