The Cabinet has decided to approve new contracts for older adult residential and nursing care services in Bury.

URL: https://councildecisions.bury.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=4231

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: Councillor Tamoor Tariq, Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Health and Public Service Reform, presented a report which sought approval to the contract arrangements for the provision of older adult residential and nursing care services in Bury. In borough, the annual value of services contracted through the current arrangements is £33,384,000, supporting over 700 people. The current residential and nursing care contract is over 10 years old, and the Council have issued numerous contract variations over this time. Legislation pertaining to the contract has changed over the years and now seemed an ideal opportunity to revisit the current contract, incorporate all the previous variations and bring the legislative elements up to date. The new contract will be a 10-year contract, consisting of seven years plus three years, and is designed to give the Council and Providers more certainty in planning going forward.   In response to Members’ questions, it was noted that the 7+3 year timescale was in line with standard contract monitoring by the Council including regular check-ins, KPIs monitoring, and performance assessments as well as regular collaboration to understand and mitigate challenges. Councillor Tariq advised that it would be about supporting provider and working with providers to improve, should there be issues, before removing the contract. The break clause after 7 years was also standard, for either party to step away should they need to.   Decision:   Cabinet: 1.    Approved the award of new contracts to the providers listed in Appendix 1 for the provision of residential and nursing care services. Such contracts to be for a maximum period of 10 years (7 plus 3 years) from 1st September 2025; 2.    Acknowledged the implementation of the new Quality Assurance Framework and the Contract Management Framework; 3.    Delegated to the Director of Adult Social care in consultation with Director of Legal and Democratic Services the finalisation and issue of the new contracts; and 4.    Delegated authority to make residential placements in care homes until August 31st, 2035 (7 plus 3-year contract) to the Director of Adult Social Care.   Reasons for the decision: Streamlining Process – the proposed recommendations will enable placements to be made at pace, avoiding unnecessary delays to resident’s care whilst also minimising administration.   Making it easier to do business with the Council – the change would avoid unnecessary delays and enable payments for these services to be made more quickly. This is important when the current residential market demand exceeds supply in many areas.   Adhering to both statutory duties and contract rules – the proposed change allows the Council to deliver the duty to offer choice and control over where someone prefers to live.   A stronger contractual agreement between the Council and care homes. The change enables the Council to issue new contracts to all currently commissioned providers and make new individual placement arrangements for new residents being admitted into a care home. The new terms and conditions will offer greater clarity as to the outcomes the Council expects from the providers.   Alternative options considered and rejected: Option 1 - Do nothing and continue with existing arrangements. Option 2 - Run a tender exercise for every care home placement. Detailed reasons for rejection are set out on the report.

Date of Decision: July 9, 2025