Agenda and minutes

41.1     The Lead Member approved as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 7 February 2024.

Disclosure by all Members present of personal interests in matters on the agenda, the nature of any interest and whether the Members regard the interest as prejudicial under the terms of the Code of Conduct.

42.1     There were none.

Notification of any items which the Lead Member considers urgent and proposes to take at the appropriate part of the agenda.

43.1     There were none.

44.1     A copy of the reports referred to below are included in the minute book.

Report by the Director of Public Health.

45.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Adult Social Care and Health regarding the proposed actions to secure the ongoing provision of the mandated Specialist Sexual Health Services.

45.2     It was noted that following the publication of the report, references to Regulation 72 of the Public Contract Regulations 2015 in recommendation (1) and section 2.4 of the report are to be removed.

DECISIONS

45.3     The Lead Member RESOLVED to:

1) agree to extend the existing contract with the current provider for six months (1 April 2024 to 30 September 2024); and

2) agree the proposed approach as set out at paragraphs 2.5 to 2.9 of the report to contract with a new service provider, from 1 October 2024.

REASONS

45.4     Public Health are mandated to provide Specialist Sexual Health Services to the residents of East Sussex. The existing contract is due to end on 31 March 2024 but, following an unsuccessful re-tendering process, a new service provider has not yet been identified. In order to maintain service provision, the existing contract needs to be extended with the current service provider for a period of six months.

45.5     After consideration of the options available, it is proposed that the most effective way of securing ongoing provision from 1 October 2024 is through a structured negotiation with a new NHS provider.

Report by the Director of Adult Social Care and Health.

46.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Adult Social Care and Health regarding the Support with Confidence (SWC) consultation findings and future offer.

DECISIONS

46.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to:

1) Note the key responses/themes from the public consultation on the proposal to close the SWC scheme as listed at paragraph 2.5 of the report;

2) Note the key impacts and action plan in the equality impact assessment set out at Appendix 3 of the report;

3) Approve the proposals for supporting personal assistants, businesses and residents following the SWC scheme closure set out at Appendix 4 of the report; and

4) Delegate authority to the Director of Adult Social Care and Health to take any and all necessary actions to give effect to the implementation of the proposed new ways of working.

REASONS

46.3     The East Sussex SWC scheme was much valued by personal assistants (PAs), businesses, staff, residents and communities. It helped PAs and businesses promote their services and gave adults who need care and support, and their families and carers, assurance and confidence when choosing services.

46.4     The option to continue running the SWC scheme is no longer available as the brand has been withdrawn. The current information relating to employment status and registration, and the legal risks associated with this, means that the Council will not be developing a replacement accreditation scheme. The Council will however continue to support residents to make informed choices about their care and support arrangements and to support PAs and businesses to develop their skills and promote their services in a different way.

46.5     Adult Social Care and Health will work with PAs, businesses and adults with care and support needs to develop information and guidance to support a new way of working and will continue to communicate with those affected by the change during the transition and beyond.