Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Adult Social Care Item 8

29 July 2005

Authority to Invite Tenders for Open Access `Shop Front' Substance Misuse Services

Report by the Director of Social Services

(Summary of CONFIDENTIAL decision)

1

Summary

1.1

The following decisions are sought:

1. That approval be given to the Drug & Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) to invite tenders for the provision of four open access shop front services in Winchester, Andover, Fareham & Gosport and East Hants.

2. That approval be given to extend existing contracts for a period up to six months should any delay to the tender process occur, which is outside of the control of the DAAT.

2

Reason(s)

2.1

This decision supports Aims 1, 4 and 5 of the Corporate Strategy : Maximising Life Opportunities; Building Strong and Safe Communities and Improving Services by providing advice, information and counselling services in appropriate community based settings to individuals, parents and carers whose lives are affected by substance misuse.

3

Other options considered and rejected

3.1

Do nothing - this was rejected as two of the areas needing these services have contracts which expire at the end of March 2006 and would leave service users vulnerable if no replacement arrangements were made. The remaining two, new services, are necessary to complete the expansion in Open Access Services in line with the Adult Treatment Plan, to deliver equitable provision across the County. Not to tender them would conflict with the DAAT's Adult Treatment Plan which has been approved by the National Treatment Agency.

4

Conflicts of interest declared by the decision-maker or other Executive Member consulted

None

5

Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

None

6

Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent

Not applicable

Approved by:

..........................

Date of decision:

.........................

Councillor Patricia Banks