The Deputy Leader of the Council, Resident and Leisure Services, HR, IT, Legal, Performance Management and Windsor introduced the report that summarises the Annual Report on Commissioned Services 2018- 2019, appendix 1, which set out how contracted services had performed in 2018-2019, together with a review of how the arrangements were managed by the Royal Borough. 

The Lead Member invited portfolio holders to address Cabinet on areas under their remit within the report. 

The Deputy Chairman of Cabinet, Adult Social Care, Children’s Services, Health and Mental Health addressed the two main areas under his portfolio within the report; Achieving for Children (AFC) and Optalis.  With regards to adult social care he highlighted the rating received from Quality Care Matters and the work that had been undertaken with regards to domiciliary care, as well as delayed transfers.  He informed that there had been acknowledged reported pressures with demographic issues such as longevity of life which was to be applauded but we also had to accept that this came with financial consequences and that services had to be fit for purpose. 

He also highlighted that with regards to AFC 91% of children went to schools that were either rated as good or outstanding which had to be applauded.  He also highlighted the emphasis he placed on disadvantaged young people and services for them, he mentioned that this would be an important focus of the Schools Improvement Forum.  There was a national pressure with protecting the most vulnerable children in society and the Lead Member said he would continue to raise this with Government as well as supporting those within the Royal Borough.  

The Lead Member for Transport and Infrastructure reported on the sections of the report regarding Volker Highways who were responsible for highways maintenance and street cleansing and Project Centre who dealt with highways design. With regards to highways maintenance he highlighted that best practice had been utilised for value for money repairs that lasted longer than quick patches. There were a number of matrixes in place evaluating the contracts and performance.  The Lead Member also highlighted the work undertaken by the Project Centre such as advice to planning, design of schemes regarding to public safety and projects such as flooding relief.

The Lead Member for Public Protection and Parking reported on NSL Ltd for parking enforcement.  The contract was performing well and had recently been renewed, this included an additional 25% increase in enforcement in rural and out of town areas.  It was noted that only 0.67% of tickets were rescinded.

The Lead Member for Environmental Services, Climate Change, Sustainability,

Parks and Countryside reported on the contractual performance of Veolia for waste collection and Tivoli for grounds maintenance.  With regards of Tivoli performance had been improving and they had introduced a new management team who were working with the council on biodiversity such as reduced mowing to increase wildflower growth.  Cabinet noted that the Veolia contract ended on 29 September 2019 and that the new contractor would be trialling electric vehicles.

Cllr Price asked why other service providers were not included in the report such as Sports Able or Parkwood Leisure.  The Lead Member informed that there were services that were subject to service level agreements.  The Director of Adults, Health and Commissioning said that she would review the report and see if they should be included when next reported.

Resolved unanimously: that  Cabinet notes the report and:

i)          Endorses the progress against the commissioning function’s priorities for 2018-2020.