The report of the Strategic Director of Health and Wellbeing (Document “E”) updates on the procurement of a contract by the Department of Health and Wellbeing to construct a fifty bed resources centre on the site of the former Neville Grange residential care home in Saltaire.

The report provides compliance with Council Contract Standing Orders (CSOs) through which the Authorised Officer must, before inviting tenders or quotations for contracts with a total estimated contract value in excess of £2m, report details to the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Recommended – Health and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee is asked to consider the report as presented and raise any queries and provide feedback regarding the work outlined.

(Iain MacBeath – 01274 432902)

The report of the Strategic Director of Health and Wellbeing (Document “E”) updated members on the procurement of a contract by the Department of Health and Wellbeing to construct a fifty bed resources centre on the site of the former Neville Grange residential care home in Saltaire.

The report provided compliance with Council Contract Standing Orders (CSOs) through which the Authorised Officer must, before inviting tenders or quotations for contracts with a total estimated contract value in excess of £2m, report details to the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The following questions were asked by members and co-opted members about the scheme and responses given:

Q What happens if the remedial groundwork is undertaken and the land is not suitable to build on?

·         The Council will need to undertake the remedial works whether or not the scheme goes ahead.  It may be possible that the land cannot be built on and this is why the Council is engaged with the contractor at this stage.

Q What will be built on the site?

·         There will be 50 bed provision, split across three distinct sections so that each section can operate separately with staff changing and medical facilities in each base.  The provision is being planned in consultation with colleagues from Social Care to learn from past experience and ensure that the facilities are future proofed.  Copies of the plans will be provided for members of the Committee.

Q Is there any risk that a contractor will not be found who will tender for the contract given the £11.3m funding envelope?

Q What are the risks that a contractor may fail to deliver the project?

·         Both of these possibilities have been considered.  The procurement route needed to reflect the present supply chain issues and financial pressures.  It was doubted that a contractor would not be found and tenders would be put to tier one contractors who should be able to take on the risk.

Q Will there be any facilities for relatives, especially for those with family members with dementia?

·         The 50 beds will be to provide assessment and intermediate care to enable service users to go back to their own home.  There will be a cafeteria for relatives and meeting spaces for relatives to meet staff to help support people to move back home.  The beds are to provide short term care as the move is away from long term care.

Q Is guidance being taken from specialists in dementia care to enable people to return to their community?

Q Will the possibility of making provision for relatives to stay with people with dementia be explored?

·         The Council is working with organisations such as the Alzheimer’s Society but also has in house knowledge as two similar provisions have been built.  An outreach support team is being created to help support relatives and people with dementia to get them back into their own homes.   Family members are worked with closely to try to ensure that what is provided is reflective of their own home environment.

Q What are the timescales?

·         It is anticipated that it will be 18 – 24 months before the facility is complete.

Members requested that, should the development not proceed for any reason, the Committee be updated through the Chair so that consideration can be given to whether a further report is required’

Resolved –

That the report be noted

ACTION: Strategic Director Health and Wellbeing