Decision details

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FOR THIS ITEM:

None.

RESOLVED

The Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Wellbeing:

1.    Approved the initiation of a procurement process for the provision of integrated drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services for Haringey residents, with the purpose of appointing operator(s) to officially operate these services in the borough from 1st March 2027 as permitted under Contact Standing Order 2.01(b).

2.    Noted that following the completion of the procurement process to appoint service providers in the borough, the contract award decision would be returned to cabinet for approval.

3.    It was anticipated that the contracts awarded would not exceed the value outlined in Appendix 1 which contained exempt information.

Reasons for decision

·       The Council’s Contract Standing Order item 2.01 (b) required Cabinet approval to commence a procurement exercise for proposed contracts valued £500,000 or above. Local authorities had a statutory responsibility, under the Health and Social Care Act 2012, to commission drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services as part of their public health duties. The Council received ring?fenced funding for this purpose from the Department of Health and Social Care, which must be used solely for commissioning and providing drug and alcohol prevention, treatment and recovery services.

·       Existing contracts for these services in Haringey would end in February 2027.

·       Ensuring effective treatment and supporting recovery for residents was aligned with the Corporate Delivery Plan, by improving health outcomes for adults and children, and making Haringey safer by reducing crime and strengthening community resilience.

Alternative options considered

·       The option not to procure new services was considered but rejected, as the Council was required to commission drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services and receives specific ring?fenced funding for this purpose. As part of the terms of the public health grant award, the council must annually agree to provide services for a target number of residents and must demonstrate that this treatment is effective. Failure to reach the target could lead to loss of income for the Council. Not commissioning services would risk higher drug- and alcohol?related deaths, worsening health outcomes, greater harm to children affected by parental substance misuse, and increased drug?related crime and antisocial behaviour.