Use the links below to Filter decisions by category -
Officer Decisions
Member Delegated
Decisions
You can also search for decisions by using the search facility below.
Agreement of a reduction in the final 5-year
extension to a 2-year extension to the current contract for the
provision of Software and Services between Staffordshire County
Council and CareWorks Limited
Decision Maker: Director for Children and Families
Decision published: 19/04/2024
Effective from: 31/05/2024
Decision:
1. On 16th February 2011 Cabinet approved to
delegate the decision regarding the award of a contract for the
supply and maintenance of a Social Care and Health System to the
then Director of People and Deputy Chief Executive in consultation
with the Cabinet Member for Adults’ Wellbeing.
2. The OJEU process concluded in 2011, with the four main market
suppliers considered through the tender process with CareDirector
scoring highest on all four areas of the tender.
3. Staffordshire County Council and Careworks Limited agreed
contract terms for the provision of CareDirector software and
services on 29th November 2011 for Adult Social Care and Health
(the “Contract”).
4. Staffordshire County Council and Careworks Limited agreed a
contract change to include the provision of CareDirector software
and services for Children’s Social Care on 28th August
2012.
5. There have been a number of other contract changes throughout
the term of the Contract, including changes required due to various
upgrades, and Careworks Limited was purchased by One Advanced
Software Limited in November 2019, who have continued operating the
Contract under Careworks Limited.
6. The terms and conditions of the Contract were for an Initial
Term of 10 years with provision for an automatic extension of 5
years ("Extended Term") at the end of the Initial Term and at the
end of the first Extended Term, unless terminated with 6 months
written notice before the end of the Initial Term or Extended
Term.
7. An executive officer delegated decision was published on 29th
November 2021 to approve the first automated 5-year extension of
the contract until 29th November 2026.
8. The contract makes provision for a further automated extended
term of 5 years from 29th November 2026 to 29th November
2031.
9. On 17th April 2024, Cabinet approved the commencement of a
procurement exercise for a new case management system for
adults’ and children’s social services with the final
decision on the award of the contract to be brought to full Cabinet
for approval. The cabinet report detailed the intention to secure
an exit to the CareDirector contract by November 2028.
10. Advanced software have provided their agreement and contract
authorisation note to reduce the final extended term from 5 years
to 2 years without changing any other terms and conditions of the
contract and without earlier exit penalties. Contract termination
will become 29th November 2028.
11. If the contract is continued beyond the current extended
period, the charges for the extended period can be increased or
decreased in accordance with the percentage change in the Consumer
Prices Index (CPI) and remain fixed for the extended period.
12. The total cost to the Council for the 2 years extended term,
including 4%* CPI increase, are therefore:
Area 2026/27
£ 2027/2028
£
Adult Social Care Licence and Maintenance costs 241,000
241,000
Children’s Social Care Licence and Maintenance costs 101,000
101,000
Annual Costs 342,000 342,00
Overall Cost £784,000
* Calculation is based on current CPI of 4%, this may change in
2026 when the current extended terms point is reached on 29th
November 2026.
Divisions affected: (All Divisions);
Lead officer: Vicki Sandells
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 17/04/2024 - Cabinet
Decision published: 18/04/2024
Effective from: 17/04/2024
Decision:
The Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 15 May to 18 September 2024, which detailed the following issues, was approved:???
???
Subject Matter??? |
Contact??? |
Walleys Quarry: Addressing the Impact on our Communities |
Name: Richard Harling Tel: (01785) 278700 |
Procurement for Garden Waste Disposal Framework? |
Name: David Atkinson? Tel: 01785 277910? |
Roofing Framework Agreement?? |
Name: Ian Turner???? Tel: (01785) 277228??? |
Community Learning Accountability Agreement 2024-2025??? |
Name: Anthony Baines??? Tel: (01785) 895984??? |
Stafford Town Centre Update |
Name: Anthony Hodge Tel (01785) 277204 |
Supported Living Commissioning Update?? |
Name: Andrew Jepps??? Tel: (01785) 278557??? |
Final Financial Outturn 2023/24? |
Name: Rachel Spain? Tel:01785 854455? |
Digital Innovation Strategy for Staffordshire County Council?? |
Name: Linsey Bissell?? Tel: 07855 026263?? |
Children and Young People's Emotional Health and Wellbeing Service??? |
Name: Natasha Moody??? Tel: 07976 191079??? |
Treasury Management Report for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
Name: Melanie Stokes Tel: (01785) 276330 |
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 17/04/2024 - Cabinet
Decision published: 18/04/2024
Effective from: 17/04/2024
Decision:
Decision – That the following decisions taken by Cabinet Members under delegated powers be noted:???
???
Cabinet Member???? |
Decision??? |
Cabinet Member for Children and Young People? |
In approving the preferred option to procure return home interviews for Children who go missing, from the Children and Families Support Services (CAFSS) Framework and award to the most competitive tender. |
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 17/04/2024 - Cabinet
Decision published: 18/04/2024
Effective from: 17/04/2024
Decision:
Decision – That the oral report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills giving an update on “Staffordshire Means Back to Business” activity including the following matters be noted:?
· This month saw an increase of 430 claimants in Staffordshire, whilst at the same time we have seen increases both regionally and nationally. This reflects the challenging economic conditions businesses continue to operate in across the country. The total number of claimants in the county now stands at 16,130 and the claimant rate has increased this month from 2.9% to 3.0% of the working age population. However, it is important to note that the claimant count rate in Staffordshire continues to be one of the lowest in the West Midlands, far lower than the average for the region of 5.1%, and lower than the average for England of 4.0%.
· The youth claimant count in Staffordshire saw an increase of 100 claimants this month to a total of 3,100 young people. Increases were also seen regionally and nationally. The proportion of young people in Staffordshire aged 18-24 that are claiming work-related Universal Credit has increased this month from 4.8% to 5.0%. Staffordshire continues to be lower than the national rate of 5.3% and far lower than the regional rate of 7.2%.
· Supporting the creation of new, high-quality employment opportunities is the central aim of our Economic Strategy and the growth of the logistics industry has been one of our successes in recent years. Since 2015, 7,000 new logistics jobs have been created within Staffordshire and our location at the centre of the country will mean that we will continue to be attractive to the industry. Our aim has always been to ensure that we are supporting the creation of the type of jobs that we want within Staffordshire, and it is therefore really encouraging to see that recent logistics developments are increasingly creating jobs that require high-level skills, such as artificial intelligence and robotics expertise.
· Over the coming years, the West Midlands Interchange scheme in South Staffordshire will bring 8,500 new jobs to the county and we are proactively engaged with partners on the scheme’s delivery. Our Jobs and Careers service is working with Winvic, the lead constructor for phase 1 of the site, to showcase the development and promote different careers and pathways into the construction industry with our residents. As a rail-served logistics site, the West Midlands Interchange scheme will be a key part of the countries logistics network and it is estimated that once fully operational it will reduce HGV travel on the national road network by around 50 million km each year, making a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
· Recently GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourt have been granted planning approval to develop an electric vehicle charging station at our flagship i54 South Staffordshire business park, with only one plot now remaining on the western extension of the site. This will serve existing and future occupiers of the site, the wider area and users of the local road network and is the type of development that will be needed as we continue to move towards the greater use of electric vehicles.
· Burton and South Derbyshire College has recently opened its upgraded and revitalised facilities in Burton upon Trent’s town centre. This has seen the creation of a range of innovative facilities including a Cyber Security Lab, Games Development Studio and Health Simulation Suite. These facilities will be vital if we are to prepare students for evolving demands of employers, with such developments also being important in the regeneration of our town centres.
· Alongside working with our local skills providers, the County Council also continues to support the development of the skills of our residents through our Community Learning Service which provides services for around 2,500 adult learners across Staffordshire every year, helping residents to upskill, access further learning and ultimately secure good quality jobs. The quality of the service has recently been recognised by achieving the international Matrix Standard, with the service being praised for helping people to understand their options, achieve their next steps and move towards further learning and employment.
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 17/04/2024 - Cabinet
Decision published: 18/04/2024
Effective from: 17/04/2024
Decision:
Decision – That the oral report of the Leader of the Council giving an update on a range of issues including the news that the majority of parents in Staffordshire have been allocated their first-choice primary school with 95 per cent of parents found being given a place at their first choice, with more than 99 per cent being offered one of their top three; the recent announcement that a total of £56 million will be spent on building new schools, and maintaining and improving existing ones in Staffordshire over the coming year, this includes building new primary schools in Stafford, Tamworth, East Staffordshire and Lichfield; the appointment of Councillor Mark Deaville to the strategic role of overseeing the Council’s approach to delivering high quality projects, supported by Councillors Keith Flunder and Rob Pritchard, who will lead on highways operations in the North and South respectively; the Council’s continued focus on the impact of HS2 on our county including work to ensure that the Handsacre Link, which is part of these plans, is built and operated to allow HS2 compatible trains to run from Stafford to London; the recent calls, following the scrapping of the leg of HS2 from Crewe to the North, for a HS2 mark2, as it were, to be built and the Council’s position on any HS2 replacement remaining unchanged; the development and growth of an electric charging network in Staffordshire being boosted by£4.6million of national funding; the on-going work of the Council in helping preserve Cannock Chase for generations to come and to ensure wildlife and habitats can continue to flourish, including the recent introduction of cattle there as part of a project to restore heathland habitats in an environmentally friendly way; and Staffordshire Day on 1 May with events of all shapes and sizes taking place across the county; be noted.?
This quarterly Integrated Performance Report
provides an overview of Staffordshire County Council’s
progress and performance in delivering against our Strategic Plan
and Corporate Delivery Plan, and our financial position in relation
to our Medium Term Financial Strategy.
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 17/04/2024 - Cabinet
Decision published: 18/04/2024
Effective from: 24/04/2024
Decision:
?
? ?? ? ? |
“We continue to deliver on our priorities, including creating the right conditions for our economy to grow and supporting those in our communities who need our help the most.
Local businesses continue to get the help they need to start up and grow and our ‘We are Staffordshire’ brand is successfully raising the profile of the county as a great place to live, work in and invest. Our work in tackling the effects of climate change is ongoing, including the highly successful Staffordshire Warmer Homes Scheme which is delivering energy improvements to hundreds of homes across the county.
We still face challenges in both adult social care where demand is high and in children’s services with rising costs and ongoing placement pressures despite a further reduction in the number of children in care. Demand for Education, Health and Care plans for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities also remain high.
Despite facing rising costs and inflationary pressures we continue to deliver a balanced budget and will invest to keep growing the county in a sustainable way, to make a positive difference in the lives of our residents. We continue to find new, better, and lower cost ways of delivering services and achieving results.” ? Alan White, Leader of the Council? ? “We continue to make significant progress across the organisation during the final quarter and departments are delivering on their priorities.
Rising costs across the organisation and levels of demand and complexity of needs remain challenging, particularly in children’s and families services and in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities where transport costs are rising significantly.
The latest revenue forecast outturn shows a forecast overspend of £4.0m (0.58%), compared to the Quarter 3 forecast overspend of £5.4m (0.9%). Like most local authorities, we still face financial challenges, but we are a well-run council and continue to live within our means, deliver value for money for taxpayers, whilst improving the services we deliver to our customers”.? ? Ian Parry, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources? |
?
Reasons for the Decision – To consider an overview of Staffordshire County Council’s progress, performance, and financial position in delivering against its Strategic Plan, Delivery Plan and Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS)?
?
Decision – That the report be received.?
Divisions affected: (All Divisions);
Lead officer: Rachel Spain, Wendy Tompson
Review of Local authority social care case
management systems utilised by Health and Care Children &
Families and Finance Services
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 17/04/2024 - Cabinet
Decision published: 18/04/2024
Effective from: 24/04/2024
Divisions affected: (All Divisions);
Lead officer: Jo Cowcher, Nisha Gupta
Update on the young people in unregulated
placements
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 17/04/2024 - Cabinet
Decision published: 18/04/2024
Effective from: 24/04/2024
Divisions affected: Staffordshire;
Lead officer: Nisha Gupta
To approve the proposed expenditure, volumes
and delivery arrangements for the HSF in Staffordshire. This
allocation has been made by the Department for Work and Pensions
(DWP) and has defined conditions of the grant which the proposal
meets, and the allocation needs to be fully spent by 30th September
2024
Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Children and Young People
Decision published: 18/04/2024
Effective from: 24/04/2024
Divisions affected: (All Divisions);