Purpose

The purpose of the report is to seek approval
in accordance with Contract Procedure Rule 12.2.3(b), to modify the
contracts with providers of care and support to
adult social care clients (listed in appendix A to the report) to
ensure providers can continue to pay their staff the National
Living Wage. 
 
The reasons for the decision are, as required
by Contract Procedure Rule 12.2.3(b): The amendments to the terms
of the contract to the providers has become necessary as a
consequence of the Council’s annual fees and rates process
for 2023/24, and a change of supplier cannot be made for the
following technical or economic reasons: the care and support
contracts affected by this decision are already fully operational
and have been through a fully compliant tender process. The
modification is to ensure that fees paid to providers are increased
so they can continue to pay care staff the National Living Wage.
The total value of the modification for each contract is less than
50% of the original contract value.

Decision

 
(i)            
That, in accordance with Contract Procedure Rule
12.2.3(b), the contracts with care agencies
delivering care and support on behalf of Adult Social Care within
Knowsley’s boundary (outlined in appendices A and B to
the supporting report) be modified with effect from 26 May 2023 to
have their fees and rates increased to levels that allow for the
National Living Wage to continue to be passed onto their care
staff, and to have their terms amended to stipulate that providers
pay their care staff the National Living Wage; 

 

(ii)           
That all rates and fees are payable by the Council
with effect from 26 May 2023 and that one-off payments will be made
to providers of an amount equal to what they would have been due
had their respective contract been modified with effect from 1
April 2023; and
 
(iii)         
That the Procurement and Legal Teams be authorised
to issue the relevant modification documentation as
necessary.