Outsourcing and Devon County Council Contracts (Minute 124 of 19th July 2018)
To receive and consider the recommendations of the Cabinet (Minute 226 (a)) of 12 September 2018 as an amendment to the following Notice of Motion submitted previously to the Council by Councillor Atkinson and referred thereto in accordance with Standing Order 8(2), namely
This Council is concerned that outsourcing Devon County Council (DCC) contracts can reduce financial flexibility and the ability to respond to changes in policies and facilitate effective cross department working across interrelated DCC services in complex areas like the health and wellbeing of children. Accordingly, DCC can no longer afford to be locked into long term, difficult if not impossible to vary contractual schemes for services like Children and Mental Health if it wishes to remain responsive to the needs of Children from birth to age 25.
In view of cross party concern to fully and effectively integrate cross department working in children’s health and mental health services and education Devon County Council should bring back key services in-house and manage them in the wider public interest including value for money (defined broadly to include effects on public revenues and community wellbeing at large) and social value tests.
Having had regard to the aforementioned, any factual briefing/position statement on the matter set out in Report CSO/18/25 and other suggestions or alternatives considered at that meeting the Cabinet subsequently resolved:
that the Council be asked to note the continued commitment and investment in joint arrangements for the commissioning of mental health services for children. The Council will continue to use its influence as a key partner in strategic and commissioning arrangements to further improve mental health services for children.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Pursuant to County Council Minute 124 of 19 July 2018 relating to the Notice of Motion set out below as previously submitted and formally moved and seconded by Councillor Atkinson that:
This Council is concerned that outsourcing Devon County Council (DCC) contracts can reduce financial flexibility and the ability to respond to changes in policies and facilitate effective cross department working across interrelated DCC services in complex areas like the health and wellbeing of children. Accordingly, DCC can no longer afford to be locked into long term, difficult if not impossible to vary contractual schemes for services like Children and Mental Health if it wishes to remain responsive to the needs of Children from birth to age 25.
In view of cross party concern to fully and effectively integrate cross department working in children’s health and mental health services and education Devon County Council should bring back key services in-house and manage them in the wider public interest including value for money (defined broadly to include effects on public revenues and community wellbeing at large) and social value tests.
and having had regard to the advice of the Cabinet set out in Minute 226(a) of 12 September 2018:
Councillor Hart MOVED and Councillor McInnes SECONDED that the Cabinet’s amendment be accepted and that no further action be taken on the Motion, but the Council be asked to note the continued commitment and investment in joint arrangements for the commissioning of mental health services for children. The Council will continue to use its influence as a key partner in strategic and commissioning arrangements to further improve mental health services for children.
The amendment in the name of Councillor Hart was then put to the vote and declared CARRIED and subsequently thereafter also CARRIED as the substantive motion.
(In accordance with Standing Order 32(4) Councillors Dewhirst, G Hook and J Hook asked that their vote against Councillor Harts motion be recorded).