At a meeting of Havering Council's cabinet, members approved an interim Adults Joint Commissioning Strategy and agreed to begin the tender process for an outdoor play areas contract. The commissioning strategy is designed to bridge the gap while awaiting clarity on funding from the Integrated Care Board¹ (ICB). The play areas contract aims to secure a single supplier for park improvements across the borough.

Adults Joint Commissioning Strategy

The cabinet approved the interim Adults Joint Commissioning Strategy, which outlines Havering's approach to planning and commissioning adult services for the next 12 months. Councillor Gillian Ford, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, explained that the strategy is an interim measure due to restructuring and funding uncertainties with the ICB, which has led to the separation of the previously effective Joint Commissioning Unit. The parallel team is expected to be running by December 2025.

The strategy focuses on:

• Commissioning principles
• Overarching priorities
• Key commissioning intentions for 2025-2026

Havering faces particular challenges, including the second-highest proportion of residents aged 65 and over in London, the lowest proportion of working-age adults, and a 4% rise in household deprivation. The strategy identifies overarching priorities, including financial sustainability, community engagement, prevention, integrated neighbourhood teams, and market management.

Key commissioning intentions include:

• Expanding supported housing
• Enhancing direct payments for personalised care
• Increasing local capacity for specialist residential and nursing care
• Recommissioning preventative services
• Streamlining hospital discharge pathways
• Expanding support for unpaid carers
• Improving dementia care

Councillor Keith Darvill asked about the impact on other partners, and whether separate commissioning would create additional costs. Councillor Gillian Ford responded that the council would continue to have conversations with health partners and work collaboratively, but funding would be coming from two separate pots.

Councillor David Miller asked about the increase in the elderly population and whether there had been a high percentage of elderly people moving in from other boroughs. Councillor Gillian Ford responded that it was the complexity of needs that had changed, with people living longer and needing greater support.

Barbara Nicholls, Strategic Director of People, added that the number of residents receiving statutory adult social care had not changed much, but there had been a massive shift in complexity since COVID-19. She also noted that the council is responsible for funding individuals who move into care homes as self-funders and whose money runs out.

Andrew Blake-Herbert added that Havering has the second-fastest growth in children between 0 and 14 in the country, which has changed the percentage of older people in the population. He also noted that the funding does not follow the person, and the council has a statutory function to provide services regardless of budget.

Outdoor Play Areas Contract Tender

The cabinet approved the procurement for a five-year call-off contract via the Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO) Framework for outdoor play area improvements, with a potential total value of £3 million. Councillor Barry Mugglestone, Cabinet Member for Environment, explained that the contract would ensure the maintenance of play equipment in parks. The contract will be awarded via a mini-competition.

The cabinet also agreed to waive the council’s standard 70:30 (price: quality) evaluation scoring in favour of 40:60 (price: quality). Councillor Barry Mugglestone said that this change would ensure better quality equipment that lasts longer and ultimately saves money.

Councillor Michael Ford asked how the council would ensure that the £3 million allocated for the first five years of the contract is effectively utilised, given that the expenditure is principally debit by securing external funding sources such as capital budgets, community infrastructure levy², or Section 106³. James Rose responded that the paper sets out an anticipated spend, subject to funding received.

Councillor Keith Darvill said that he thought that the council needed a broader strategic vision for its parks. James Rose responded that the park strategy is in the forward plan and is currently in draft form.

Councillor Martin Goode asked whether the £3 million would be enough to cover enhancements to all the parks in the borough, and what criteria are in place to ensure that any levy or Section 106 money is used within the ward of that development. Councillor Gillian Ford responded that it would not be necessary in every park, and that there are other opportunities for funding, such as the Lucas Play Site Trust. She added that maintenance for the equipment and the area it is placed on will be the council's responsibility.