Issue - meetings

This report considers the commissioning of an alternative service model for Community Support and Wellbeing (Early Interventions and Prevention) which involves a radical approach of co-design and partnership working and proposes reducing the number of service contracts but with only 3 new commissioned service contracts/areas.

Resolved: That Executive approve Option A to commission an alternative service model, paragraphs 40-46 of the report, and note the implications of the recent proposals regarding Local Housing Allowance, which is under review, and the impact that this may pose to the proposals within the report.

Reason:     To deliver a new model of delivering Housing Related Support Services to residents of York and ensure continuation of a Housing Related Support programme.

Consideration was given to a report which looked at the commissioning of an alternative service model for Community Support and Wellbeing (Early Interventions and Prevention) involving a radical approach of co-design and partnership working which included the reduction of the number of service contracts from over forty to eleven.

Officers presented the report, providing the background to the development of the new “whole” service approach including the required efficiency savings and contract projections. In particular, Officers highlighted the proposed Government cap on Housing Benefits and the possible implications on Local Authority Housing Allowance. They also confirmed that it was proposed that the implementation date of the new service delivery model would be February 2017.

Members thanked Officers for their work on the development of the new services and referred to the importance of monitoring so as not to lose sight of the individuals involved.

Consideration was then given to the following options:

Option A - The Council to commission an alternative service model for Community Support and Wellbeing (Early Interventions and Prevention).  This will involve a radical approach, one of co-design and partnership working and proposes reducing the number of service contracts from over 40 to approximately 11 but with only 3 new commissioned service contracts/areas.

Option B – Retain the existing programme in its existing format but change the name to Community Wellbeing & Support.  If Members adopt this recommendation, the £750K required efficiencies will have to be found from elsewhere in the Council budget.

Resolved: That Executive approve Option A to commission an alternative service model, paragraphs 40-46 of the report, and note the implications of the recent proposals regarding Local Housing Allowance, which is under review, and the impact that this may pose to the proposals within the report. ^1.

Reason:     To deliver a new model of delivering Housing Related Support Services to residents of York and ensure continuation of a Housing Related Support programme.