Issue - meetings

Report of the Head of Adult Commissioning & Health (ACH/17/57) on the outcome of a recent tendering exercise undertaken, in conjunction with New Devon and Torbay & South Devon Clinical Commissioning Groups, for the Devon Independent Living Integrated Service (DILIS) for the provision of Community Equipment, Assistive Technology and Minor Adaptations, as well as information, advice and signposting services,attached.

(Councillors Connett, Julian and Westlake attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Head of Adult Commissioning & Health (ACH/17/57) on the background to, process for and evaluation of a recent tender exercise undertaken in conjunction with partner organisations for the Devon Independent Living Integrated Service (providing Community Equipment, Assistive Technology and Minor Adaptations and information, advice and signposting services) replacing two existing contracts.

The Cabinet was advised that tenders had initially been sought for the Devon Independent Living Integrated Service contract in December 2013 but that  exercise had to be aborted. Extensive work had subsequently been undertaken by the DILIS Project Group to ensure any future tender documentation was robust and would deliver outcomes required by the Commissioners and  reduce the risks associated with any procurement.  Consequently a new Invitation to Tender had been advertised in June 2016 on behalf of the County Council, NHS Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group and NHS South Devon and Torbay Clinical Commissioning Group (the Commissioners).  Any ensuing contract ( for a 5 year term with an option to extend for up to a further 2 years)  would be between the County Council and the successful bidder.

The total estimated value of the contract would be approximately £41,000,000 (over the full 7 year term) acknowledging this was a demand led service where volumes of business could fluctuated through a range of factors as recognised and amplified in the Reports now submitted.

The Head of Service recommended the proposed way forward as it would support the personalisation agenda by improving the way people could directly access a range of equipment and other practical products and services to promote independence and help them maximise their independence and safety without the need to contact statutory authorities.  All of the Commissioners were committed to securing a provider who could recognise and meet the particular challenges associated with supplying services to adults, children and young people with varying levels of need in a large rural county, including hard to reach areas.  He confirmed also that all necessary transitional arrangements would now take place during the ‘mobilisation’ period.

It was then MOVED by Councillor Hart, SECONDED by Councillor Hughes, and

RESOLVED that the press and public be now excluded from the meeting during subsequent discussion on this matter under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act namely, the financial or business affairs of a preferred bidder or tenderer for the provision or supply of council goods or services, and in accordance with Section 36 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, by virtue of the fact that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

[NB: The following part of the Cabinet’s proceedings on this matter took place, as summarised below, in accordance  ...  view the full minutes text for item 142