The Executive Director of Adult Social Care & Health Services submitted a report on the commissioning of services from the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS).  Attached to the report at Appendix A was a table setting out the key outcomes of the proposed Commissioning Programme and the criteria which fall under each outcome.

The report noted that the current programme had been commissioned under the Narrowing the Gap II framework and covered contracts with 27 VCS organisations which would end in May 2022.  A fresh approach to the commissioning and procurement of services from the VCS was recommended which would allocate funding to target inequalities in the most disadvantaged groups and neighbourhoods using an outcomes-based approach, alongside delivery of core services for Adult Social Care & Public Health (DACHS).  The overall focus of the programme would continue to be on improving health & wellbeing and reducing deprivation and disadvantage, and the key outcomes that providers would be asked to submit proposals against were: (1) to support people to get out and stay out of poverty, (2) to build resilience, independence and well-being, connecting people to support and focusing on individual and community strengths, and (3) to invest in VCS infrastructure support.  Priority aims that had been identified under each outcome were listed in Appendix A.

The report explained that the programme would use a new approach to procurement for these services, recognising the knowledge, experience and creativity of the VCS and empowering the sector to define solutions to meet outcomes set out by the Council.  The move away from detailed specifications to an outcome focused approach would seek to empower the sector to share their knowledge and skill in delivery of evidence-based outcomes as defined by the Council.  The aim of the process was not only to allocate funding which would contribute to addressing inequality but also to signal a changing relationship with the VCS, recognising the importance of the sector in a thriving and self-reliant community. It was proposed that the overall programme be renamed the ‘Closing the Gap’ Framework thus signalling a shift from the current approach.

The report proposed that the budget envelope for the programme be sustained at £1.13m per annum.  Approximately £270k of funding would be allocated against outcome 1; £701k against outcome 2 and £158k against outcome 3. These amounts were derived from a review of the current spending in Narrowing the Gap II but were indicative only to allow for flexibility.  Bids would be evaluated by a multi-disciplinary team and funding would be awarded for proposals which were deemed to have the most positive impact on outcomes, reflecting the overall requirement to deliver a balanced and fair portfolio of provision to meet outcomes.  The Council reserved the right to negotiate with bidders to achieve this balance, dependent on the spread of bids received and their ability to achieve the complete spectrum of defined outcomes.  A detailed specification would only be provided for the carers’ services, as this was a core requirement of DACHS, and an indicative amount of £150k from outcome 2 had been ringfenced to support the delivery of carers’ services.

The report explained that successful bidders would be offered contracts of three years and set out a proposed timetable for the commissioning process leading up to the new contracts starting on 1 June 2022.  It was raised at the meeting that feedback had been received from Reading Voluntary Action on this proposed timetable, and it was moved and agreed that the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, be authorised to consider this feedback, as well as the implications of the government's latest COVID guidance, and to agree revised deadlines for the commissioning process as appropriate.  Subject to any changes to the proposed timetable it was also agreed that they be authorised to extend all current Narrowing The Gap contracts beyond May 2022 if required.

Resolved –

(1)      That the Council launch a new outcomes focused commissioning programme for the procurement of services from the VCS to meet the three key outcomes to support people to get out and stay out of poverty, to build resilience, independence and well-being, connecting people to support and focusing on individual and community strengths, and to invest in VCS infrastructure support;

(2)      That the budget envelope be sustained at £1.13m per annum with this funding to be used to meet each of the outcomes with an indicative split based on an analysis of the current spending and with an element ringfenced for Carers’ Services;

(3)      That contracts be awarded to providers who had submitted proposals deemed to have the most positive impact on outcomes, to be achieved through an evaluation of bids, and that, dependent on the spread of bids received and their ability to achieve the complete spectrum of outcomes, the Council undertake further negotiation with the sector if required;

(4)      That the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, be authorised to consider the implications of the government's latest COVID guidance and recent feedback from Reading Voluntary Action on the proposed timetable for commissioning and to agree deadlines as appropriate, and that subject to any revised timetabling they be authorised to extend all current Narrowing The Gap contracts as required;

(5)      That the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Executive Director of Adult Social Care & Health, be authorised to enter into contracts with the successful organisations for three years.

(Councillor Barnett-Ward declared a pecuniary interest in this item on the basis that she was employed as CEO of Reading Association for the Blind.  She left the meeting and took no part in the debate or decision.

Councillor Rowland declared a non-pecuniary interest in this item on the basis that she was one of the Council’s appointed Trustees on the Queen Victoria Institute Fund and had been appointed in a personal capacity as a Trustee of Reading Community Learning Centre and Reading Association for the Blind.  She left the meeting and took no part in the debate or decision.

Councillor McEwan declared a non-pecuniary interest in this item on the basis that she was one of the Council’s appointed representatives on Reading Community Welfare Rights Unit.

Councillor Terry declared a non-pecuniary interest in this item on the basis that she was one of the Council’s appointed representatives on Citizen’s Advice Reading.)