Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Adult Social Care Item 5

19 January 2007

Authority to Negotiate a Single Tender for Three Community Drug Team Services

Report by the Director of Adult Services

(Summary of Exempt Decision)

1

Summary

1.1

That single tender approval be given to the Hampshire Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) to negotiate three single tenders for the provision of structured community based drug treatment services in the west of Hampshire (Hampshire Partnership Trust), the north east of Hampshire (Surrey Borders Partnership Trust) and the south east of Hampshire (Portsmouth City PCT).

That authority be given that a contract be negotiated with the organisations for one year with an option to extend for a further 6 months.

1.2

This report is not for publication as it contains except information within Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, being information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). Further it is considered that, in all the circumstances, the public interest in maintaining this exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing this information. While there may be a public interest in disclosing this information, namely financial transparency in the County Council's affairs, it is felt that on balance this is outweighed by other factors in favour of maintaining the exception, namely the contract is subject to confidential third party financial and other negotiations and to reveal details of those negotiations would adversely affect the County Council's negotiating position relating to this contract.

2

Reason(s)

2.1

A community based service offers structured care planned treatment services, including substitute prescribing and brief and motivational interventions and holistic support, for drug users, delivered in partnership with other agencies within the treatment system to maximise well being for drug users in Hampshire. Supporting clients with their recovery from drug use in the community can provide more successful reintegration into the community which will ensure the local community is safer and more secure for all.

2.2

Single tender approval is requested on the basis that the provision of services are of a specialised nature which can only be carried out by a specialised contractor.

3

Other options considered and rejected

3.1

Do Nothing

The current services are monitored on a regular basis to ensure they are delivering what is required, however this needs to be formally contracted with formal service specifications and key performance indicators both qualitative and quantitative.

3.2

Deliver Community Drug Teams through a single dedicated Provider

The Hampshire DAAT are currently consulting with stakeholders about the possibility of a single Community Drug Team provider within Hampshire. The process of moving from the scoping exercise, through tender and to delivery of a single service is likely to take a minimum of 18 months, and therefore this request is being made to continue existing services, in a more formal manner under contract, so as not to destabilise and disrupt current services while this work is in progress.

4

Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision-maker or other Executive member consulted

4.1

None

5

Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

5.1

None

6

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

6.1

Not applicable

Approved by:....................................... Date:...............................

Councillor Patricia Banks

Executive Member for Adult Social Care