Agenda item

CSP: PC1 and PC2

Purpose: To inform Members of the tender process and to seek delegated authority for the Head of Public Health & Wellbeing, in consultation with the Executive Director of Resources and the Portfolio Holder for Public Health & Community Wellbeing, to award the contract for the provision of 0-19 (up to 25 years for young people with special educational needs and disabilities) Public Health Nursing Services.

Resolved that authority be delegated to the Head of Public Health & Wellbeing, in consultation with the Executive Director of Resources and the Portfolio Holder for Public Health & Community Wellbeing, to award the contract to the successful bidder following the evaluation process for the provision of 0-19 (up to 25 years for young people with special educational needs and disabilities) Public Health Nursing Services from 1^st April 2020. This procurement has been carried out to align commissioning timescales for a joint contract with Wokingham and Reading Borough Council from 1^st April 2021 and align with the emerging Integrated Care Partnership.

This decision is not subject to call in as:

·      a delay in implementing the decision could cause the Council serious financial implications or could compromise the Council's position.

therefore it will be implemented immediately.

The Executive considered the report (Agenda Item 5) which sought to inform Members of the tender process and which sought delegated authority for the Head of Public Health and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Executive Director of Resources and the Portfolio Holder for Public Health and Community Wellbeing, to award the contract for the provision of 0-19 (up to 25 years for young people with special educational needs and disabilities) Public Health Nursing Services.

Councillor Rick Jones made comments in relation to this report and the subsequent agenda item (Sexual and Reproductive Health Contract Award). He explained that a large aspect of Public Health Services were statutory and this included prevention services.

The strategic direction for Public Health was a move to joint commissioning with Reading and Wokingham Councils, in liaison with the appropriate Clinical Commissioning Groups, with the aims of achieving economies of scale and best value.

Councillor Jones gave thanks to the Public Health Team for their work in developing this joint commissioning approach.

Returning specifically to this report (Agenda Item 5), Councillor Jones explained that it was necessary for West Berkshire to tender a one year contract from 1 April 2020. This would allow for commissioning timescales to be aligned with Wokingham and Reading Councils, and for the procurement of a joint contract from 1 April 2021. This would also align with the emerging Integrated Care Partnership.

The proposals outlined in the report were supported by officers in Legal and Procurement who advised against an extension of the current contract.

Councillor Graham Bridgman commended the use of the joint commissioning approach across the healthcare system. This should be the approach wherever possible.

Councillor Alan Macro referred to the point made in paragraph 5.4 of the report which stated that the results of the evaluation process would be finalised by the end of October 2019. He queried whether this process had been finalised. Councillor Jones confirmed that it had and therefore the report’s proposals were recommended for approval.

Councillor Macro felt that it would have been preferable to clarify this point within the report.

(Councillor Steve Masters joined the meeting at 5.07pm).

RESOLVED that authority be delegated to the Head of Public Health & Wellbeing, in consultation with the Executive Director of Resources and the Portfolio Holder for Public Health & Community Wellbeing, to award the contract to the successful bidder, following the evaluation process, for the provision of 0-19 (up to 25 years for young people with special educational needs and disabilities) Public Health Nursing Services from 1^st April 2020. This procurement had been carried out to align commissioning timescales for a joint contract with Wokingham Borough Council and Reading Borough Council from 1^st April 2021 and align with the emerging Integrated Care Partnership.

Other options considered:

·         Commission a joint contract from 2020. This would not be possible due to Reading and Wokingham’s commissioning timescales.

·         Extend the current contract. This was explored but the legal risk of challenge was deemed too high as there was no further provision for extension within the contract.

·         Do nothing – this is not an option as it is a mandated service.