Issue - meetings

That:

1)        the re-procurement of substance misuse services for Wokingham Borough be signed-off;

2)        option two, as set out in the report, be agreed as it offers the most efficient use of Officer time and financial resources.

The Executive considered a report setting out proposals for the re-procurement of the Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service which would, amongst other things, enable residents to recover in the community and protect children and families from potentially problematic/dangerous situations associated with substance misuse.

The Executive Member for Children’s Services advised the meeting that two different options, as outlined in the report, had been considered. Option 2, which was to commission a provider to manage all the Council’s operational and demand led services eg needle exchange and supervised consumption, was the preferred option as it had many benefits including stabilisation of the budget and driving up the performance of the service.  It was noted that the contract, which would start on 1 April 2017, would initially be for two years with the ability for up to three one year extensions which would provide greater flexibility. 

Councillor Haitham Taylor highlighted the types of service users and the need within the Borough, as set out in the report, and the fact that the proposal could provide savings in the region of £20k in years two and three. 

RESOLVED That:

1)        the re-procurement of substance misuse services for Wokingham Borough be signed-off;

2)        option two, as set out in the report, be agreed as it offers the most efficient use of Officer time and financial resources.