Decision details

Cabinet is being asked to approve a twelve-month extension for day opportunity services for people with learning disabilities in Peterborough. The extension will be from 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025. The cost is £1,720,563. 

The Cabinet approved an extension to the following Agreements totalling £1,720,563, relating to provision of day opportunities for adults with learning disabilities from the 1st April 2024 until 31st March 2025 for the following Providers:

·         Thera East Anglia (company number 05566295)

·         THHG Limited trading as Helping Hands Group (company number 07359910)

·         Sense, the National Deafblind and Rubella Association (company number 01825301)

The reason for the recommendation is to ensure there is sufficient time to review day opportunities outcomes and co-produce a new model of service delivery with service users and allow the Council to continue to fulfil its duties under the Care Act 2014 without a break in service provision. This will also allow for a compliant procurement process to be conducted in accordance with both local contract rules and UK Legislated Public Contract Rules.

·         Do Nothing - The contracts will lapse and if services continue to be received, they will be on implied terms, which increases the contractual and reputational risk to the Council and puts service users at risk through lack of protection under implied terms.

·         Contract Termination - Ending the contracts and not completing a compliant procurement process and therefore having nothing in place. This could mean the Council is in breach of its duties under the Care Act 2014: to meet people’s assessed needs, promote wellbeing and reduce or delay the need for more intensive support such as respite and residential care.

·         Tender the Requirement - To seek to reprocure the requirements at this time would mean that meaningful engagement and co-production could not be undertaken due to the time constraints. The Council may not be commissioning services that best meet the needs of individuals or explore efficient models of delivery. Therefore, the re-procurement should be delayed until the completion of the review process to ensure that the future contractual provision is strategically aligned to the desired outcomes.

There were none.