Agenda item

          The Sub Committee considered a report which requested that the Strategic Director Communities be given delegated authority, in consultation with the portfolio holder for Safer Halton, to extend the contracts of 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Addaction & Arch Initiatives on a month by month basis until 31^st March 2012.

          The Sub Committee had previously resolved to authorise the Operational Director Commissioning to enter into a contract with Crime Reduction Initiatives, who through an open tender process had been assessed as being the most economically advantageous and effective organisation to deliver the new substance misuse service. The Committee also resolved that in the light of exceptional circumstances procurement Standing Orders be waived, and the Operational Director, Commissioning and Complex Care be authorised to extend the following contracts direct and without competition for the current providers; ARCH Initiatives, Addaction and 5 Boroughs NHS Foundation Trust, in order to ensure continuous care and support to those currently in receipt of drug treatment. Contracts were extended up to December 31^st 2011 (Minute No ES refers).

          Following the award of the new contract to Crime Reduction Initiatives, clarification on a number of issues relating to the contractual process and the transfers of service had meant that the process had taken longer to conclude. In order to ensure that the transfer to the new substance misuse service was both clinically safe and complied with TUPE regulations, authority was sought for the Strategic Director Communities, in conjunction with the portfolio holder for Safer Halton, to extend current service contracts on a month by month basis until 31^st March 2012.

          In addition, it was noted that the substance misuse service were currently delivered from Ashley House in Widnes. The property was leased by 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust from a private landlord and had been subject to considerable investment by the Commissioners over the preceding years. The Asset Management Group had supported a proposal whereby the lease for Ashley House was transferred to the Council from 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, at the conclusion of their contract. Under the proposed new arrangements, the Council would sub-lease Ashley House to the new incoming substance misuse service provider, Crime Reduction Initiatives, until March 2015, thereby ensuring a seamless continuity of service.

          It was noted that if the lease was extended beyond its current term of March 2015, there would be a requirement to reinstate the premises to its previous function. The estimated cost of this based on a desk top exercise was £152,000. Contingency arrangements had been made for this sum in the current budget.

          RESOLVED: That

(1)            in the light of exceptional circumstances set out in the report for the purpose of Standing Orders 1.8.2b, Procurement Standing Orders 2.0.1 and 2.1 to 2.6 be waived, and the Strategic Director Communities be authorised to extend the following contracts direct and without competition for the current providers; ARCH Initiatives, Addaction and 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, in order to ensure continuous care and support to those currently in receipt of drug and alcohol treatment;

(2)            the contract extensions authorised in (1) be, on a month by month basis, over the period commencing 1^st January 2012 and extending to 31^st March 2012;

(3) the Strategic Director Communities, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, be authorised to take such action as was necessary, to effect a smooth transition to the new substance misuse service; and

(4) the Committee endorses the recommendation of the Asset Management Group and approve and approves the assignment of the lease from the 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust for Ashley House until March 2015.