Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Decision Report :

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1) Summary of Decision Area:

1.1. Authority is sought for the Acting Director of Property Business and Regulatory Services (Interim Head of Estates) to negotiate and agree suitable terms and conditions in respect of any leases, licences or other appropriate agreements required in the provision of accommodation for the delivery of Integrated Learning Disability Services.

2) Issues Covered in Report:

2.1. On 19 December 2008, the Executive Member for Adult Social Care authorised the setting up of an Integrated Learning Disability Service in partnership with Hampshire Partnership (NHS) Trust under Section 75 of the National Health Service Act 2006, (the Section 75 Agreement), the aim being to provide a more efficient, effective and user-friendly service to service users with learning disabilities and their families.

2.2. This earlier decision included the recommendation set out at 3.1 of this report, and for which approval is now being sought.

3) Recommendation:

It is recommended that:

3.1. Authority be given to the Acting Director of Property Business and Regulatory Services (Interim Head of Estates) to negotiate and agree suitable terms and conditions in respect of any leases, licences or other appropriate agreements required in the provision of accommodation for the Integrated Learning Disability Service Teams.

MAIN REPORT

1) Contextual Information:

1.1. The integration of learning disability health and social care community teams is supported by a plethora of government policies. Valuing People (2001) supports an integrated model of provision as a means by which fair access to holistic services can be delivered to service users with learning disabilities and their families.

1.2. The lead authority within Hampshire for integrated community services for people with learning disabilities is the County Council's Adult Services Department with the aim of providing a structure that will support high performing services which deliver the best practice outcomes of Valuing People and Putting People First. Integrated working between health and social care staff should provide a more efficient, effective and user-friendly service and will support the County Council's star rating.

1.3. The County Council is in the process of setting up the integrated teams in partnership with Hampshire Partnership (NHS) Trust (HPT) under the Section 75 Agreement. The Executive Member for Adult Social Care approved the proposals on 19 December 2008.

1.4. Part of the agreement relates to accommodation for the integrated teams and this report focuses on the associated accommodation matters. The accommodation required is in the process of being identified and the present situation is set out in the exempt appendix.

1.5. It has been agreed, in principle, that where new leasehold premises are required from a third party, the HPT will become the lessee with the County Council occupying under licence from the HPT.

1.6. Where suitable accommodation is already owned by either the HPT or the County Council it is proposed that it should be made available for integrated service delivery either by way of a lease or a licence as appropriate.

1.7. Due to the timing of the accommodation needs of the HPT staff involved, two individual Scheduled Item reports were approved by the Executive Member for Policy and Resources on 4 March 2009 in advance of this report. These were for accommodation in the Civic Centre, Havant for the Havant Area Team and Poles Copse, Otterbourne for the Winchester Area Team. Advance authorisation was given to the taking of licences by the County Council to enable all members of the integrated teams to take occupation at the same time. This report now seeks an overall approval to enable such agreements to be undertaken without the need for such individual authorisations.

2) Key Issues:

2.1. An Integrated Learning Disability Service has been set up to provide a more efficient, effective and user-friendly service and suitable accommodation for the new teams needs to be in place as a matter of priority.

2.2. It is proposed that the cost of accommodation will be shared in proportion to the number of Full Time Equivalent staff from each organisation that are in occupation of those offices.

2.3. The County Council's proportion of the costs associated with the provision and operation of the accommodation for the Integrated Learning Disability Services will be met from the Director of Adult Services' existing budgets.

3) Outline of Options:

3.1. Option 1:

a) That individual reports are brought to the Executive Member Policy and Resources for approval as and when terms are agreed.

3.2. Option 2 (preferred option):

a) That delegated authority be given to the Acting Director of Property Business and Regulatory Services (Interim Head of Estates) to negotiate and agree suitable terms and conditions in respect of any leases, licences or other appropriate agreements required in the provision of accommodation for the integrated teams.

4) Option Analysis / Comparison:

4.1. Option 1 - The need to establish the integrated teams as soon as possible in order to provide the enhanced service to clients may be compromised by having to meet the County Council's reporting timetable on a series of individual property transactions.

4.2. Option 2 - This will mean that the teams can be established in their accommodation with the minimum of delay, thereby meeting the integrated service objectives.

5) Conclusions:

5.1. By giving delegated authority to the Acting Director of Property Business and Regulatory Services (Interim Head of Estates) to negotiate and agree suitable terms and conditions in respect of any leases, licences or other appropriate agreements required in the provision of accommodation the County Council will meet the integrated service objectives.

6) Recommendations:

Please see Executive Summary for recommendations.

CORPORATE OR LEGAL INFORMATION:

COMPREHENSIVE RISK & IMPACT ASSESSMENTS:

Race and equality impact assessment

Race and equality impact assessment has been considered in the development of this report and no adverse impact has been identified.

Crime prevention issues

The County Council has a legal obligation under Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to consider the impact of all the decisions it makes on the prevention of crime. The proposals in this report have no impact on the prevention of crime.

Climate change

There will be neutral impact on the County Council's carbon footprint.

The location of the accommodation will have regard to both the location of the clients being served by the team occupying a property and access to public transport.

Regard will be had to the Energy Performance Certificates of the premises.

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