The Finance and Procurement Select Committee of Wiltshire Council was scheduled to discuss the financial position of Adult Social Care, review the council's procurement processes, and consider updates on various financial matters. The meeting's agenda included an update on actions taken following the Adult Social Care budget outturn for the 2024/25 financial year, a review of local government procurement practices, and the committee's forward work programme.

Adult Transformation and Commissioning

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on actions taken in response to risks and challenges identified following the Adult Social Care (ASC) budget outturn for the 2024/25 financial year. This update was intended to provide assurance on the financial position of ASC, detailing the investigative and remedial activities undertaken to identify contributing factors and behaviours. The report indicated that processes had been redesigned to rationalise steps, reduce duplication and error, and improve data quality and governance controls. Key risks such as insufficient process capacity and ineffective communication were noted as having been mitigated through the Payment to Providers (P2P) programme. The report also aimed to provide an update on additional risks impacting the in-year financial position, including ASC Commissioning activities and the transition of young people from children's care into adult care.

The report detailed the reasons for the deferral of the Community Based Services (CBS) Framework procurement, which was intended to bring together multiple adult care service types into a single contractual arrangement. The decision to cease and defer the procurement was made prior to contract award to protect service sustainability and mitigate financial risk. Interim arrangements were in place, including the extension of existing contractual arrangements until March 2027.

Furthermore, the report addressed the financial impact of young people transitioning from children's care into adult social care. For the 2025/26 financial year, the net cost of care packages for these transitions was estimated at £1.721 million, exceeding the budget by £0.825 million. The budget for 2026/27 included assumptions for a technical adjustment to transfer budget from Families and Children to Adult Social Care, a prior year pressure to support continued costs, and demand growth estimated for young people with Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) transitioning into Adult Social Care. A transformation programme was underway to create a seamless pathway from adolescence to adulthood, aligning Children's and Adults Social Care services.

Procurement at Wiltshire Council

The committee was scheduled to receive a brief overview of local government procurement, including how Wiltshire Council undertakes its procurement activity and the evaluation models used. The report highlighted that local government procurement is governed by the Procurement Act 2023 and the Public Contract Regulations 2015, with a duty to consider the National Procurement Policy Statement and the Public (Social Value) Act 2012. The Act sets out principles and objectives, including the importance of delivering value for money, maximising public benefit, and acting with integrity.

Wiltshire Council has a centralised procurement function, requiring contact with the procurement team for any requirement over £30,000. The report outlined various procurement routes available for above-threshold procurements, such as Open Procedure, Competitive Flexible Procedure, and Closed Frameworks. For procurements below the threshold, a Request for Quotation process is conducted. The report also detailed evaluation models, typically involving a price/quality split, with examples of different weightings depending on the market and requirement. Social Value is considered across procurement activity, with a recommended weighting of 5%, though this is considered on a case-by-case basis.

The report recommended that procurements with inherent risk or other significant considerations be brought forward to the Finance and Procurement Select Committee for comment before publication. It was also recommended that the committee receive an update on the procurement pipeline at least twice a year. The report noted that where a less traditional procurement approach, such as a Local Authority Trading Company (LATCO), is proposed, it should be brought to the committee for comment before proceeding. A case study on the Waste LATCO arrangement was included, detailing the process followed and the desired outcomes.

Forward Work Programme

The committee was scheduled to review and approve its forward work programme. The programme included upcoming agenda items such as the Financial Year 2025/26 Q4 Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring, Treasury Management Outturn Report 2025/26, and the Financial Year 2026/27 Q1 Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring. Future items included updates on Housing Revenue Account (HRA) finances and Local Authority Trading Companies (LATCOs). The programme also outlined proposed meetings for 2027, including budget papers and amendments for the 2027/28 financial year.