Decision No: CAB194 - 04/2009

Forward Plan No: YP03452

This record relates to B1a on the agenda for the Decision-Making

RECORD OF EXECUTIVE DECISION

20/04/2009  

DECISION-MAKER:

CABINET MEMBER FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AND SKILLS  

PORTFOLIO AREA:

Young People and Skills  

SUBJECT:

Young People Substance Misuse Section 75 Agreement  

AUTHOR:

Donna Chapman  

THE DECISION

To approve the proposals / recommendations contained in the report without modification as set out below.
(i) To approve the completion of a contractual arrangement for a two year period with the option of a further two year extension, between the Council (Children’s Services and Learning) and Southampton City Primary Care Trust (SCPCT). This will be in accordance with Section 75 (S75) of the National Health Service Act 2006 and enable the Partners to establish and maintain a pooled fund to jointly commission young people’s substance misuse services.  

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

1. Commissioning of young people’s substance misuse services has up until recently been part of the Drug Action Team (DAT) S75 arrangements alongside adult services. As from 1 April 2008, these arrangements ceased and commissioning of young people’s substance misuse services came within the remit of the Children and Young People’s Trust (CYPT) where it could be integrated more fully with the commissioning of other Children and Young People Services. The PCT funding however has remained within the DAT S75 during 2008/09.

2. In 2008/09, a new young people’s substance misuse treatment service was commissioned which will commence 1 April 2009. There is a need to bring the PCT funding across from the DAT S75 so that the total funding can be managed as a single budget within CS&L to commission this new service.

3. This report proposes an appropriate contractual arrangement to underpin these joint commissioning arrangements for young people’s substance misuse services. The arrangement is required under Section 75 of the NHS Act 2006 to enable SCPCT to legally transfer its commissioning functions and associated funding to the Council.

4. This recommendation supports two of the executive priorities for the Council:
• Delivering value for money and efficient services, and working with partner agencies
• Reducing crime and anti social behaviour  

DETAILS OF ANY ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS

1. The proposed contractual agreement is mandatory under Section 75 of the NHS Act 2006 if the Council and PCT are to commission the services jointly as it involves a transfer of function from the PCT to the Council.

2. The partners could decide to do nothing and continue with the existing Section 75 arrangement managed by the DAT. This would not enable commissioning for young people’s substance misuse services to be better integrated into the CYPT commissioning arrangements which is the national policy direction.

3. The partners could decide to commission young people’s substance misuse services separately through single agency commissioning arrangements. However, this would mean that commissioning would be less coordinated and would not realise the same economies of scale. This would also be a retrograde step from the current joint commissioning arrangements within the DAT.  

OTHER RELEVANT MATTERS CONCERNING THE DECISION

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The decision-maker(s) did not declare a personal or prejudicial interest in the matters set out in the report  

CONFIRMED AS A TRUE RECORD:

We certify that the decision this document records was made in accordance with the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2000 and is a true and accurate record of that decision.

Date:

Decision Maker:

20/04/2009

Cabinet Member for Young People and Skills

Proper Officer:

Judy Cordell

SCRUTINY

Note: This decision will come in to force at the expiry of 5 working days from the date of publication subject to any review under the Council's Scrutiny 'Call-In' provisions.

Call-In Period

21 April 2009 to 28 April 2009

Date of Call-in (if applicable) (this suspends implementation)

Call-in Procedure completed (if applicable)

Call-in heard by (if applicable)

Results of Call-in (if applicable)