Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: March 18, 2025

Purpose: To approve Rochdale Borough Council becoming the host local authority for the GM Provider Framework.

Content: The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Integrated Care and Health (Director of Adult Social Services (DASS) and Deputy Place Lead), which sought approval of the Award for the Greater Manchester Provider Flexible purchasing System – Supporting People to Live Well at Home.   The Senior Officer was in attendance to present the information and to address the questions and the comments of the Cabinet Members.   Resolved: 1.    That the content of the report and actions taken so far be noted; That the providers outlined at Appendix 1 to the report on to the Supporting people to live well at home Flexible Purchasing System for Greater Manchester initial round 1, and other subsequent rounds of tendering and awarding providers onto the Flexible Purchasing System be approved; That the Director of Health & Care Integration (DASS & Deputy Place Lead) be given delegated authority to make any further decisions relating to implementation of the FPS in consultation with Cabinet Member for Adult Care and Wellbeing.   Reason for decision: The use the Greater Manchester Flexible Purchasing System was the preferred option as it provided Rochdale BC with the opportunity to support our residents with complex needs to live fulfilling lives, maximise their independence and achieve their ambitions. The integrated Flexible purchasing System would enable Rochdale BC and the other GM localities to have a stronger approach to managing quality and cost by working collaboratively.   Subject to the Council’s adherence to the procedure set out in the Greater Manchester Flexible Purchasing System for administration of procurement exercises, the platform was a lawful and compliant route to market.   The outcome would result in a managed external marketplace that would help to manage and reduce high cost packages of care as well as raising quality standards within the marketplace.   The demand for care services would be significant over the next few years and there was a need to sustain and stabilise the markets alongside managing the budget. HMR had seen increasing costs relating to the health, care and support for people.   Rochdale BC could no longer continue to commission in silos, in utilising the Flexible purchasing System it provided the ability to drive innovation and change in how Rochdale BC commission. Recognises best outcomes would not be achieved by doing more of the same, things had to be done differently. Moving towards a life span approach, ensuring timely interventions and recognising expertise of key partners, including families and providers across the care sector.     Alternatives considered and rejected: One alternative was to do nothing and continue with the current process. The demand for care services was significantly growing and projections show the trend will continue over the coming years. There was a need to sustain and stabilise the care market alongside managing the budget. HMR was seeing increasing costs relating to the health, care and support for people therefore doing nothing was not an option.   Establish a local Flexible Purchasing System or Flexible purchasing System for Rochdale BC. To do this, the Council would have to commit resources to administer a procurement exercise that would, in effect, duplicate the results of the GM Flexible Purchasing System. Therefore offering no benefit. Greater Manchester already operated a number of commissioned Flexible purchasing Systems which were utilised by a mixture of Local Authorities and Trusts. However these Flexible purchasing Systems expired in September 2024, then extended to March 2025, leading to this being the ideal opportunity to re-design and for Rochdale BC to become the host authority to drive and influence the markets.