(i) To approve the expansion of beds available at Kentish Road to fully utilise this asset and deliver the majority of overnight respite from two sites, Kentish Road and Weston Court, noting that this revised model is more cost effective than the current model.
(ii) Given the feedback from the consultation, to maintain a mixed economy of provision, as per Option 1b, whereby the Council provides Kentish Road and an external provider provides Weston Court.
(iii) To delegate authority to the Executive Director of Community Wellbeing, Children & Learning (DASS & DCS) following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health to take any action necessary to give effect to the recommendations, which will include authority to initiate the procurement and award of a contract to an external provider for the delivery of the service at Weston Court.
(iv) To undertake a review after 24 months of implementation to ensure that all services, whether internal or external, are operating effectively and key principles (in terms of quality, cost effectiveness and equity of offer) are being met, which, if they are not, will trigger a reconsideration of the options.
Decision deferred to 25 March 2025 Cabinet meeting.