Bedford Borough Council is pursuing a transformation programme in Adult Services that could generate between £42 million and £60 million in savings over four years, councillors were told this week.
At a meeting of the Adult Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee last night (Tuesday), cllr Tim Caswell (Lib Dem, Goldington) referred to figures in the Newton diagnostic report showing “projected savings from January 2026 over a four-year period are predicted to be, for adult services, £42 to £60 million.”
He wondered which was the biggest challenge: making those savings or still paying the consultants if the savings weren’t made.
Kate Walker, executive director of adult social care, said the figure was “cumulative over many years” and reflected the programme’s diagnostic stage.
“The stage we’re at at the moment with Newton is very much embedding the work around the outcomes and the opportunities from the diagnostic stage.”
“There is a lower range and an upper range… and there is a range of areas of focus that will help us to deliver.”
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She said the programme was designed to deliver long-term efficiencies and service transformation rather than short-term cuts.
“There is a risk of if we don’t do something on a transformational basis to make efficiencies… and not doing it is a higher risk, a huge risk,” she said.
New provider
During the same session, members heard that a new provider will take over the borough’s carers’ support contract from April.
Cllr Caswell said a carer in his ward had received a letter stating the current provider would no longer be commissioned and that “Blue Sky” would take over.
“It looks from the letter that Blue Sky have an emphasis on digital support, although of course that’s not the only thing they offer,” he said.
“My question is to what extent is support going to be digital, and does that represent cost saving, an increase in spending, or is it revenue-neutral?”
Ms Walker said she didn’t have the figures in front of her, so gave an overview of the procurement and the re-tender exercise.
“Which does see an enhancement, actually, to the service that was previously available,” she said.
“Because as we move forward, we have lots more carers that wish to use the access of digital platforms, which enables an extra layer of support to people that wish to receive care and support, guidance, join groups online.
“I do understand that it’s a significant change after having Carers In Bedfordshire for such a long period of time.
“We don’t anticipate that the support is any less by the new provider, but there is enhancement due to the digital nature where through the consultation exercise, it was a strong area that people wanted more of.”
The letter was from the commissioning authorities for Bedford Borough Council, Central Bedfordshire Council, and BLMK Integrated Care Board.
It “formally” acknowledged the “significant contribution that Carers in Bedfordshire have made over the past two decades”.
“We understand that many carers and staff have longstanding relationships with the organisation, and that change of this nature can feel unsettling.
“Our priority throughout this process is continuity of care,” it added.
“Over the coming months, Blue Sky Carers Support and Mobilise will work closely with the Commissioning Authorities and with Carers in Bedfordshire to ensure the transition is managed sensitively and transparently.”
By John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
