Services for Peterborough carers to be commissioned by Cambridgeshire County Council in joint contract

Peterborough City Council has agreed that the contracts for preventative services for adult and young carers in Peterborough and Cambridgeshire should be brought together with the county council put in charge of the tendering process.

Despite this, the city council will retain oversight for performance and financial management of the provider(s).

The services, which provide support to young carers in the community, are due to be re-tendered in time for August 1, and although the county council will now be in charge of carrying out the process the funding in Peterborough will remain the same at £280,000 a year.

A city council report outlining the new approach states: “Work has been undertaken with stakeholders and service users to understand and assess the potential benefits of a joint commissioning approach, with all carer services commissioned across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough being viewed as a single entity.

“This service has been discussed at the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Joint Commissioning Board, with support being given for the recommendation that resources should be brought together to provide a more consistent and comprehensive service to both adult and young carers.”

Both councils have grown closer together over previous years in order to save money in the face of substantial cuts to its government funding, with senior staff now working across both authorities.

This includes chief executive Gillian Beasley and director of public health Dr Liz Robin.

However, city council leader Cllr John Holdich has always insisted that Peterborough retains its authority.

Under the new arrangement for carers, the county council will enter into a contract with the successful contractor on behalf of both authorities.

Peterborough City Council currently spends £280,000 n the delivery of services to adult and young carers through a commissioned service delivered by Caring Together (formerly known as the Carers Trust).

Cambridgeshire County Council commissions the following from the voluntary sector for carers services:

. Centre 33 (young carers support services) - £230,000 annually

. Making Space (carers of people with mental health conditions) - £114,350 annually

. Caring Together (adult carers) - £730,000 annually.

The new contract to provide services across Peterborough and Cambridgeshire is for three years, with a possible extension of one year.

The city council report states: “Tender bids should show how efficiencies and savings will be delivered year on year through transformation and effective development of the service.”