That:

a)    the commissioning of an independent advocacy service for adults through an open procurement process be approved.

b)    The contract will be for an initial period of 5 years but with the option to extend for up to an additional 24 months.

c)    the director for adult and communities be authorised to take all operational decisions necessary to implement the service including award of contract for the independent advocacy service for a period of up to five years and with a maximum value of £1.5m.

a)    Not to commission the advocacy service. This is not recommended as this would mean the council will fail to meet statutory duties in respect of Mental Capacity Act 2005, Mental Health Act 1983 as amended, Health and Social Care Act 2012 and Care Act 2014. The council is required to provide these services.

b)              Deliver the service in house. This option is not recommended as all these advocacy elements are required to be independent of local authorities and NHS Trusts. As the Care Act regulations stipulate, advocacy must be independent of the local authority, operated by an organisation with its own constitution, code of practice and complaints procedure. Therefore, it is not appropriate to deliver this service in-house and an external provider must be commissioned to deliver advocacy services.