The Chair remarked that he was anxious about how the timing of this decision is going to be managed in line with the new budget (April 2025).
Officers replied that the delay in this decision is because of a change in contract regulations and NHS requirements, and they hope to speed things up to avoid a search for retrospective funding in the new fiscal year.
The Chair further remarked that the problem now is that this decision will either adversely affect budgetary negotiations or require over-spend and this was not ideal.
The Cabinet Member for Children, Education & Young People's Services APPROVED the following as advertised:
a) To delegate authority to the Director for Children’s Services, in consultation with the Head of Procurement and Contract Management, to award a funding contribution value £754,400 to Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB) under the existing partnering agreement with BOB ICB towards payment for the contract for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Oxfordshire. This service contract value is £20million in 2024-2025 is managed by the BOB ICB and delivered by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust (OHFT).
b) To agree commencement of an immediate review process for this contract and future funding arrangements post April 2025, to ensure return on investment and improving outcomes for children and young people in Oxfordshire experiencing mental health problems and associated neuro diversity.