Agenda and minutes

Apologies for non-attendance were received from Councillor Mike Hallam.  Councillor Matt Golby attended as a substitute member.

The Chair invited those who wished to do so to declare any interests in respect of items on the agenda.

No declarations were made.

There were no requests to address the meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 June 2023 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

There were no Chair’s announcements.

The Joint Committee received a report and presentation which sought approval to proceed with the re-shaping of the drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services in North and West Northamptonshire to ensure they best met the needs of residents.

Currently, drug and alcohol services were commissioned across Northamptonshire as part of seven contracts:

·           Adult Structured Treatment Services

·           Substance Misuse Recovery Services (including housing offer)

·           Young People’s Prevention and Treatment Services

·           Family Support Services

·           Targeted Support for Youth Offenders

·           Workforce Training

·           Case Management System 

Two of the contracts, namely the Adults Structured Treatment Service and the Substance Misuse Recovery Service, represented 89% of the total value of the contracts. These contracts had options to continue until 31st March 2026. The remaining smaller value contracts all expired on 31st March 2024. 

On considering the two available options to either recommission the majority of services for 1st April 2024 or align all contract end-dates to 1st April 2026.  The latter option presented greater opportunities for delivering a holistic and effective service offer that met the needs of North and West Northamptonshire councils’ local residents.

Members of the Joint Committee welcomed the recommendations and supported the direction of travel.

RESOLVED:

To approve the alignment of all substance misuse contracts up to 31st March 2026, which will entail:

- Utilising the existing extension within the Adults Structured Treatment Service contract from 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2026.

- Continue to explore utilising a compliant government framework to award the contract for the Case Management System to the incumbent provider, should new requirements be met, from 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2026.

- Recommissioning the Family Support Service, Children and Young People’s Prevention and Treatment Services, and the Youth Offending Service offer from 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2026 through a competitive process.

- Awarding the contract for Workforce Training via a negotiated procedure, due to an absence of alternative providers being identified through the expression of interest

Reason for decision

To recognise the instability of the drug and alcohol provider market, as highlighted in the national review by the Government’s supplementary treatment funding grants. This grant supports workforce sustainability and improvements in treatment services.

Alternative Options Considered

To recommission drug and alcohol treatment provision (excluding recovery services) for 1st April 2024.

The Chair thanked members and officers for their attendance and closed the meeting.

The meeting closed at 2.30pm.