Agenda item

8.1

The Executive Director, Communities submitted a report in relation to the Housing Independence Commissioning Strategy 2016-20 and delegated decision making.

8.2

RESOLVED: That:-

(a)

the content of the report is noted and approval is given to the high level Commissioning Strategy;

(b)

authority be delegated to the Director of Commissioning to terminate contracts relevant to the delivery of the Housing Related Support Strategy and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contracts;

(c)

in accordance with the high level commissioning strategy and this report, authority be delegated to the Director of Commissioning to:

(i)

in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Health, Care and Independent Living and the Director of Commercial Services, approve the procurement strategy for any service delivery during the period of the strategy;

(ii)

in consultation with the Director of Commercial Services and the Director of Legal and Governance, award, vary or extend contracts for the provision of housing related support; and

(iii)

in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Health, Care and Independent Living, the Director of Legal and Governance and the Director of Commercial Services, make awards of grants;

(d)

authority be delegated to the Director of Commissioning, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Health, Care and Independent Living, the Director of Legal and Governance and the Director of Commercial Services, to take such other steps as he deems appropriate to achieve the outcomes in this report;

(e)

the Director of Commissioning shall only procure and award contracts for the provision of supported accommodation where the use of Council Housing accommodation is integral to the support, in consultation with the Director of Housing and Neighbourhoods and where the appropriate approval for that use of the accommodation is in place; and

(f)

the Director of Commissioning shall only procure and award contracts for the provision of supported accommodation, where there will be implications for housing benefit subsidy loss, in consultation with the Director of Finance Service.

8.3

Reasons for Decision

8.3.1

The previous delegated decision process set out in the 2009 to 2014 report is now out of date and therefore needs revising.

8.3.2

A number of changes to the Director responsibilities, national and local funding arrangements and Council Policy on what it will fund in relation to Housing Related Support Services means that a formal refresh of the delegated decision making arrangements is required.

8.3.3

A new high level commissioning plan has been developed, which specifies a number of individual commissioning activities and individual procurements that will need to take place. 

8.3.4

The overall plan needs to be approved and individual procurement decisions need to be delegated to reflect the number and speed of decisions that need to take place.

8.3.5

The delegation for decision making will need to reflect the range of individual decisions that need to be undertaken.  For example, some of the commissioned support services require the use of Council housing stock, therefore these decisions need to be made alongside the Director of Housing and Neighbourhoods for the use of the housing stock.

8.3.6

Supported Housing has a complex interrelationship with housing benefit depending on who the landlord is and what conditions for residence and eligibility are fulfilled.  At times this may result in subsidy loss from central government where the landlord is not a Registered provider (this usually affects tenants of Charities who run supported housing).  Where subsidy loss is a risk the Housing Independence Service will take all steps to mitigate this risk, whilst ensuring that the best provider for people is commissioned.  Where there are any implications, decisions will be made in consultation with the Director of Finance.

8.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

8.4.1

There were no alternative options presented in the report.

8.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

8.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

None

8.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Laraine Manley, Executive Director, Communities

8.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Healthier Communities and Adult Social Care Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee

8.1

The Executive Director, Communities submitted a report in relation to the Housing Independence Commissioning Strategy 2016-20 and delegated decision making.

8.2

RESOLVED: That:-

(a)

the content of the report is noted and approval is given to the high level Commissioning Strategy;

(b)

authority be delegated to the Director of Commissioning to terminate contracts relevant to the delivery of the Housing Related Support Strategy and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contracts;

(c)

in accordance with the high level commissioning strategy and this report, authority be delegated to the Director of Commissioning to:

(i)

in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Health, Care and Independent Living and the Director of Commercial Services, approve the procurement strategy for any service delivery during the period of the strategy;

(ii)

in consultation with the Director of Commercial Services and the Director of Legal and Governance, award, vary or extend contracts for the provision of housing related support; and

(iii)

in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Health, Care and Independent Living, the Director of Legal and Governance and the Director of Commercial Services, make awards of grants;

(d)

authority be delegated to the Director of Commissioning, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Health, Care and Independent Living, the Director of Legal and Governance and the Director of Commercial Services, to take such other steps as he deems appropriate to achieve the outcomes in this report;

(e)

the Director of Commissioning shall only procure and award contracts for the provision of supported accommodation where the use of Council Housing accommodation is integral to the support, in consultation with the Director of Housing and Neighbourhoods and where the appropriate approval for that use of the accommodation is in place; and

(f)

the Director of Commissioning shall only procure and award contracts for the provision of supported accommodation, where there will be implications for housing benefit subsidy loss, in consultation with the Director of Finance Service.

8.3

Reasons for Decision

8.3.1

The previous delegated decision process set out in the 2009 to 2014 report is now out of date and therefore needs revising.

8.3.2

A number of changes to the Director responsibilities, national and local funding arrangements and Council Policy on what it will fund in relation to Housing Related Support Services means that a formal refresh of the delegated decision making arrangements is required.

8.3.3

A new high level commissioning plan has been developed, which specifies a number of individual commissioning activities and individual procurements that will need to take place. 

8.3.4

The overall plan needs to be approved and individual procurement decisions need to be delegated to reflect the number and speed of decisions that need to take place.

8.3.5

The delegation for decision making will need to reflect the range of individual decisions that need to be undertaken.  For example, some of the commissioned support services require the use of Council housing stock, therefore these decisions need to be made alongside the Director of Housing and Neighbourhoods for the use of the housing stock.

8.3.6

Supported Housing has a complex interrelationship with housing benefit depending on who the landlord is and what conditions for residence and eligibility are fulfilled.  At times this may result in subsidy loss from central government where the landlord is not a Registered provider (this usually affects tenants of Charities who run supported housing).  Where subsidy loss is a risk the Housing Independence Service will take all steps to mitigate this risk, whilst ensuring that the best provider for people is commissioned.  Where there are any implications, decisions will be made in consultation with the Director of Finance.

8.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

8.4.1

There were no alternative options presented in the report.