Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Adult Social Care (DASS) which sought approval to novate the Green Square Accord contract to Allied Health Services Ltd.  The report provided an updated position regarding the due diligence checks that had been completed.

Green Square Accord Limited (GSA) were one of the preferred providers working in East Cluster under the Flexible Purchasing Agreement (FPA) for the Provision of Care at Home, Extra Care and Specialist Care at Home Services (DN373470). Contracts for the provision of the Services to individuals were made under the FPA. GSA delivered over 500 hours of care per week to over 50 service users.

In December 2022 GSA requested Oldham Council’s written agreement for their contract to be novated to Allied Health Services Ltd, a company owned by Cera Care, by 23^rd January 2023.

The Council commenced due diligence in response to the request to novate and specified the information needed for a decision to be reached. The due diligence process could not be concluded by the date of the proposed sale of the business on 23^rd January 2023 and, therefore, delegated decision approval was obtained for GSA to sub-contract the FPA and the delivery of the Services under the current contract to Allied Health Services Ltd as an interim arrangement so that ongoing service delivery could continue whilst a decision on the proposed novation was reached.

GSA sold the care at home part of its business in the North of England to Allied Healthcare Limited (a part of the Cera Care Group), as planned, on 23^rd January 2023. 

GSA remained under contract with the Council pending a decision on novation, but services were currently being delivered by Allied.

The due diligence process was complete and authority was sought to novate the GSA contract to Allied Health Services Ltd. 

Options/Alternatives considered

Option 1 – To novate the GSA contract to Allied Health Services Ltd.

Option 2 – Not to provide agreement to novate the GSA contract to Allied.  This option would present an immediate risk to service delivery.  GSA have no operational functions remaining within the North West and there would be a risk to service delivery within the contract notice period.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet would consider the commercially sensitive information at Item 23 before making a decision.