Decision details

Authorisation for Peterborough City Council to delegate the discretionary function of providing Housing Related Floating Support services to Cambridgeshire County Council - FEB18/CMDN/90

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Growth, Planning, Housing and Economic Development

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Purpose:

The Cabinet Member approved to delegate the discretionary function of providing Housing Related Floating Support services to Cambridgeshire County Council.  The two services to be delegated are:

 

1.    Floating Support Service to individuals with mental health problems who are chronically excluded; and

2.    Floating Support Service to prolific and persistent offenders and those at risk of becoming so.

 

Reasons for the decision:

The recommendations in this report will ensure that the continuity of Housing Related Floating Support to some of the most vulnerable in society is achieved whilst taking the opportunity to seek efficiency savings and address additional capacity in commissioning by tendering jointly across Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council.  

 

The value for money and outcomes delivered by this type of floating support are excellent. It is the model of support that both Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have been working towards, looking to move away from accommodation based supported housing. There may be opportunities to consider adding to this model in future following the Supported Housing Review

The Homelessness Act 2002 sets out the Council’s powers to meet the aims of the act and its duties towards homeless people.

 

Alternative options considered:

Cut funding completely and stop the Housing Related Floating Support.

 

Rejected due to the adverse impact on the provision of this support and homeless prevention.

 

Issue new annual grant agreements to MIND and NACRO from 1 April 2018.  Rejected  - the Council wishes to move away from grant agreements which provide little financial stability for service providers, no strategic direction for the Council and no opportunity to consider whether savings can be achieved through a formal tendering process.

 

Peterborough City Council to tender a contract for Housing Related Floating Support.  Rejected - Adopting a joint commissioning approach will save time and effort for both commissioners and Procurement colleagues. A joint Project Group has been established to ensure all partners achieve their respective service requirements and outcomes throughout the tendering process.

 

Interests and Nature of Interests Declared:

None.

Background Documents:

The Homelessness Act 2002

Publication date: 01/02/2018

Date of decision: 01/02/2018

Accompanying Documents: