Agenda item

To consider a report by Councillor Bobby Feeley, Lead Member for Well-being and Independence (copy enclosed) seeking Cabinet approval to undertake the procurement process for the tendering of care and support for the Extra Care Housing Scheme, Awel y Dyffryn, Denbigh.

RESOLVED that Cabinet approves the undertaking of the procurement process for care and support as detailed within the report with the outcome of each tender to be brought back to Cabinet for final approval.

Councillor Bobby Feeley presented the report seeking Cabinet approval to undertake the procurement process for the tendering of care and support for the Extra Care Housing Scheme, Awel y Dyffryn, Denbigh.

Awel y Dyffryn Extra Care Housing Scheme had been developed by the Council in partnership with Grŵp Cynefin Housing Group and it was anticipated that the scheme would be ready for 1 September 2020.  It was proposed to undertaken two tender exercises for the procurement of care and support services to 66 older people units and 8 complex disability units situated on the site to provide care provision 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year in line with the Denbighshire Regional Domiciliary Care Contract and other governing requirements.  Two separate tenders would be run through the respective frameworks for the two elements of support within the scheme with the outcome of each tender being brought back to Cabinet for final approval.  Reference to the estimated tender costs and further details of the contract had been included within the report.

Cabinet supported the scheme in providing health and social care provision in the area and considered the detail of the proposed procurement process.

Officers responded to questions and comments from members as follows –

·         given the extra work involved for local doctors Councillor Mark Young sought assurances regarding appropriate consultation and it was confirmed that Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board attended the project’s Service Delivery Group and doctors surgeries were also involved as part of that process

·         it was anticipated that the Older People care provider would be appointed by May/June and the Complex Disability provider appointed by July/August

·         there was a mixed market of provision in Denbigh and the scheme would first look to service Denbigh and the surrounding areas with further work ongoing with regards to the general health and social care offer in the area

·         assurances were given that the ability to provide social care services through the medium of Welsh was a priority issue and formed part of the contract requirements which would be evaluated through the tender process.  However there were challenges around recruitment and work was ongoing with the social care workforce development unit to support Welsh language service provision

·         in relation to staff opportunities, Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts confirmed that all council staff had the opportunity to learn Welsh and to improve and develop their Welsh language skills and funding was provided for that purpose.  Problems with recruitment were not confined to Denbighshire with neighbouring authorities also experiencing difficulties in that respect

·         with regard to the sufficiency of staffing levels at night Grŵp Cynefin would provide a concierge type service with a person on site to provide housing management support 24/7 in addition to the care team on site.  Care was planned and delivered in accordance with the identified need at the time and consequently the number of staff required would fluctuate to accommodate those changing needs.

RESOLVED that Cabinet approves the undertaking of the procurement process for care and support as detailed within the report with the outcome of each tender to be brought back to Cabinet for final approval.

At this juncture (11.15 a.m.) the meeting adjourned for a refreshment break.