Decision details

1          That the recommended commissioning approach as outlined by the West Berkshire Procurement Strategy and agreed by the Berkshire Community Equipment Service Partnership utilising the call off facility in the Buckinghamshire Integrated Community Equipment Service Framework Agreement be approved.

2          To enter into a five plus two-year contract with the incumbent provider Nottingham Rehab Limited through the Framework Agreement.

3          That the Assistant Director: Commissioning formally write to West Berkshire Council to notify them of the approval of this commissioning approach.

Bracknell Forest Council (BFC) has a statutory obligation under the Care Act 2014 to support residents to live safely and independently in their own homes, in a residential care home, or to continue with their work or education.

In July 2022, BFC’s Executive gave approval for the Council to continue its membership of the Section 75 Joint Agreement for the Berkshire Community Equipment Service, and for BFC to jointly explore a route to market for the procurement of a new Community Equipment Service.    Approval was granted on the understanding that BFC’s Procurement and Legal Teams would ensure that the chosen route was compliant with Public Contract Regulations 2015 when the route to market was proposed.  Executive approval was given on the understanding that a full open tender exercise would be carried out. 

The option to call off the BICES Framework was proposed to the BCES Steering Group by West Berkshire Council in August 2022.  After very careful consideration of Buckinghamshire’s procurement documentation and alternative options, Legal and Procurement representatives of partner authorities agreed in principle to pursue this option subject to each organisations’ governance approval.

The BCES Partnership has considered alternative routes to market which include a full open tender through to calling off other frameworks on the marketplace.

The BICES Framework remains the option which will provide the best value for money, continuity of service for operational colleagues and ongoing support for residents to remain independent for longer.

In addition to the options discussed at Partnership level, BFC undertook to consider alternative options should the agreed approach by the partnership.  The following list of options were considered and are not recommended; all options below contained an element of disruption for residents who may receive equipment from both health and social care and operational colleagues.

1          The Council to serve notice to withdraw from the membership of the S75 Joint  Agreement partnership agreement and independently tender for a BFC Equipment Service Contract. Not recommended due to the timeline, purchasing power of larger contracts, benefits of remaining in the Berkshire-wide integrated partnership

2          Serve notice (12 months) to withdraw from the membership of the S75 Joint Agreement partnership agreement and call off a contract from a suitable framework agreement on an individual basis. Not recommended due to potential charges, non-flexible approach of frameworks/specialist equipment, lack of recycling facilities of existing, already issued equipment.

3          Serve Notice (12 months) to withdraw from the membership of the S75 Joint Agreement and negotiate with other LAs to procure a community equipment service under a new S75 or joint partnership agreement.  Not recommended – all partners across Berkshire are in agreement with the West Berkshire proposal, geographic locations of alternative local authorities are a barrier to true collaborative contracting, and management costs could be prohibitive compared to current management costs for West Berkshire.

4          Serve notice (12 months) to withdraw from the membership of the S75 Joint Agreement and bring the community equipment service inhouse.  Not recommended due to costs to set up in house service i.e., Warehouse facilities, vehicles, limited opportunities for value for money.

None.