Agenda item

(a)  That the update and progress concerning the ASC Transformation Programme be noted.

(b)  That the procurement of external support from external consultancy People Too be agreed for a one year period from 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024 using direct award to  support the delivery of the ASC Transformation Programme.

(c)  That delegated authority be given to the Executive Director for People (Adults), in consultation with the Lead Member for Public Health and Social Care, to have oversight of the procurement and the ASC Transformation Programme and to enter into contract documentation.

The Lead Member for Social Care & Public Health introduced a report that updated Cabinet on the progress of the Adult Social Care Transformation Programme.  Approval was sought to procure external support services from PeopleToo to support the delivery of the programme for a further year to 31^st March 2024.

The transformation programme was on track to deliver a savings target of £9.1m between 2021 to 2024, of which £4.8m was expected to be delivered in the current year.  The savings were being achieved through a range of adult social care projects and were additional to other savings made by the directorate, which amounted to a total of £14.7m over three years.  The Cabinet recognised that there were a number of pressures on the service arising from the implementation of adult social care reform including the new inspection regime; inflationary pressures; and resource challenges.  It was agreed that the directorate required appropriate support and expertise from PeopleToo to be able to continue to identify and successfully deliver the savings.

Lead Members sought assurance that the comments of Commissioners relating to the development of internal capacity to deliver change and savings programmes could be put in place in time to contribute to the delivery of the savings targets after 2024.  It was important that the right support was in place to support the transformation programme and the contract extension would provide time to develop the in house capacity.  The re-establishment of a Programme Management Office was a positive step in that direction.

After due consideration the recommendations were agreed.

Resolved –

(a)  That the update and progress concerning the ASC Transformation Programme be noted.

(b)  That the procurement of external support from external consultancy People Too be agreed for a one year period from 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024 using direct award to  support the delivery of the ASC Transformation Programme.

(c)  That delegated authority be given to the Executive Director for People (Adults), in consultation with the Lead Member for Public Health and Social Care, to have oversight of the procurement and the ASC Transformation Programme and to enter into contract documentation.