Decision details

For the Executive Director of People to approve that Bracknell Forest Council proceeds to jointly procure stroke support services in East Berkshire with Slough BC (lead commissioner), Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead and East Berkshire CCG.

The current grant arrangement will be coming to an end in March 2020, which coincides with the end of Slough Borough Council/ Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead / East Berks CCG’s contract for stroke support. Slough Borough Council have contracted stroke support services jointly with Windsor and Maidenhead and East Berkshire CCG since 2017. This contract will be ending in March 2020 and there is the opportunity for Bracknell Forest to join the upcoming procurement. The prevalence of stroke is very similar across the three areas, allowing for a balanced partnership agreement.

Ceasing funding for this service has been assessed by the Departmental Management Team and Members, however, this was not a preferred option.

Not procuring with Slough Borough Council would mean procuring as a single local authority. This is not recommended as economies of scales for procurement process and the delivery of service would not be achieved. Larger contracts are more attractive for providers, widening the pool of quality bidders. Bracknell Forest Council aims to be an active partner for place-based commissioning in East Berks working collaboratively with health and local authority partners on integration and delivering consistent high-quality services.