Decision Title: To extend current commissioned service contracts to run until the 31st March 2023
Decision Reference Number: WPCC3 – 0019
Lead Officer: Precious Williamson/Sara Ansell
If force business, date approved by Chief Officer: N/a
Date: 8 October 2021
Status: Non confidential
Decision summary:
To approve that the current OPCC commissioned services are extended in line with the contract terms, until the 31st March 2023.
I confirm that my register of interests declaration is up to date and that none of my interests preclude me from making this decision.
Signature: Philip Seccombe
Date: 26 October 2021
Supporting information
1. Background information
In 2018 Warwickshire PCC undertook a victim needs assessment and subsequently commissioned 5 services for victims, CSE, drugs and alcohol, and sexual violence across Warwickshire.
Currently, commissioned services include:
- General Victims Recovery Service
- Sexual Abuse and Violence Recovery Service
- Children Sexual Exploitation Recovery Service
These contracts are 3+1+1 and run to 31 March 2022 with an option to extend to 31 March 2024.
- Adults CJS Drug and Alcohol Abuse Service
- Child CJS Drug and Alcohol Abuse Service
These contracts are 2+1+1 and run to 31 March 2022 with an option to extend to 31 March 2023.
Currently commissioned services are nearing the end of contract or are at the point of consideration for extension. The PCC is planning for the recommissioning of services through procuring a comprehensive needs assessment, which will determine future service requirements over the medium term. In the light of this work, and to ensure adequate service continuity while the recommissioning process is undertaken, the currently commissioned services are in need of extending to cover the period up to the 31st March 2023. The current contract terms allow for this flexibility and if approved, work will be undertaken to undertake the contract extensions, secure agreement on service delivery and cost within the same budget envelope and to ensure that performance continues to be monitored over the period of extension.
All current commissioned services have been assessed on an ongoing basis through quarterly reports to the OPCC and quarterly meetings to discuss progress since their commencement. The services are in regular contact with the OPCC between these formal discussions to ensure optimum contract delivery.
All commissioned service providers have been asked to produce a progression plan to map how they intend to continue contract delivery in 2022-23. The plans will outline action plans for improving delivery and producing efficiencies where necessary and possible. Service providers are not permitted to apply for additional funding. All progression plans will be assessed by the OPCC, prior to any contract extensions being granted.
2. List of additional information attached as appendices
None
3. Expected benefits
- Continuity and resilience of service in the medium term for Warwickshire
- Services that meet the needs of service users based on extensive community and stakeholder engagement at the time of the commissioning process going out to tender
- Contracted services with partners that can be monitored appropriately and that can be adapted and flexed to meet changing needs in the respective service areas.
- The progression plan process will help to address minor gaps in service to be addressed. If there are any more fundamental issues or gaps these can be met through the 2022-23 grants process where applicable.
4. Impact of not approving the application
- There may be a loss in continuity of service for those service users already enrolled with each service provider.
- Service providers may not be able or wish to continue to deliver the same service or scope of service as they presently do in Warwickshire
- All commissioned services would cease as at the 31st March 2022 and all services would need to be delivered through the PCC’s grants process.
5. Costs (including any identified savings)
All commissioned service costs are currently met within the annual PCC revenue budget.
6. Equality implications
All relevant policies apply and services are open to any user requiring support.
7. Legal
All legal and procurement advice regarding the contract extension process will be adhered to.
8. Publication
Information in this form is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI Act) and other legislation. Unless the information provided is covered by an exemption and stated to be either confidential or partly confidential, the information contained in the form will be published on the OPCC website.
Comments from the Treasurer
The costs of the currently commissioned contracts are included within the commissioners draft budget for 2022/23. Any extensions would be granted on the same financial terms, so there are no additional pressures or savings anticipated from this approach.
Comments from the Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer
This is a pragmatic approach to commissioning, which will carry forward existing arrangements while a comprehensive needs assessment takes place.