Agenda item

This report seeks the approval of Cabinet to award contracts for the provision of Public Health services as required by Standing Order 88.

i) that the public health service contracts listed under Tables 1, 2, 3 and 4 in the report be awarded for an initial period of two years with the option to extend for a further period of up to two years;

ii) that it be noted that the sum value of the Substance Misuse Service contracts is based on a estimated 2 year budget of £9.464 million and offers a full two year savings of £0.951m from 2015/16 and 2016/17 rising to £2.289m if extended to 2018/19;

iii) that it be noted that the sum value of the Sexual Health Service contracts is based on a estimated two year budget of £2.544 million and offers a full 2 year savings of £0.001m from 2015/16 and 2016/17 rising to £0.004m if extended to 2018/19;

iv) that it be noted that the sum value of the School Nursing Services contract is based on a estimated two year budget of £3.056 million and offers a full 2 year savings of £0.048m from 2015/16 and 2016/17 rising to £0.176m if extended to 2018/19;

v) that it be noted that the sum value of the Post Health Check Service contract is based on a estimated two year budget of £0.492 million meaning the new contract would equate to anincrease in cost of £0.003m 2015/16 and 2016/17 rising to £0.035m if extended to 2018/19;

vi) that an exemption from the usual tendering requirements of Contract Standing Orders in accordance with Contract Standing Order 84(a) be agreed to permit the negotiation of 2016/17 Genito-Urinary Medicine (“GUM”) contracts as detailed in paragraph 6 of the report.

vii) that authority be delegated to the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the Director of Legal and Procurement and Chief Finance Officer, to participate in negotiation of 2016/17 Genito-Urinary Medicine contracts as set out in paragraph 6 of the report.

viii) that authority be delegated to the Director of Public Health, in consultation with Director of Legal and Procurement, to finalise any outstanding contractual matters.

In accordance with Standing Order 88, the report before the Cabinet from the Director of Public Health sought authority to award contracts for the provision of Public Health services to the preferred bidders identified in the report. Councillor Hirani outlined the process undertaken in tendering the separate contracts for Substance Misuse Services, Sexual Health Services, School Nursing and Post Health Check and highlighted key issues for members’ consideration. An open procurement process had been followed and a contract award criteria of 60 percent quality and 40 per cent price/commercial considerations had been specified. Members were reminded that the detailed evaluation methodology for each contract had been agreed by the Cabinet at its meeting on 15 September 2015. There had been a high level of competition when expressions of interest had been invited; however this had not been reflected in the number of tender submissions received and it was thought that this was an indication that market for the services was still in development. The report also provided an update on the collaboration between London boroughs on genitourinary medicine (GUM) services.

With regard to substance misuse services, Councillor Mashari (Lead Member Education and Skills) queried how treatment and advice was targeted at Khat users, noting that this was a unique group which often did not identify with issues of substance misuse. Councillor Hirani explained that there were a number of specific services aimed at Khat users including outreach services and engagement with communities and community groups.

The Cabinet also had before them an appendix to the report which was not for publication as it contained the following category of exempt information as specified in Schedule 12 of the Local Government (Access to Information Act) 1972:

Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

RESOLVED:

    (i)        that the public health service contracts listed under Tables 1, 2, 3 and 4 in the report be awarded for an initial period of two years with the option to extend for a further period of up to two years;

   (ii)        that it be noted that the sum value of the Substance Misuse Service contracts is based on a estimated two year budget of £9.464 million and offers a full 2 year savings of £0.951m from 2015/16 and 2016/17 rising to £2.289m if extended to 2018/19;

  (iii)        that it be noted that the sum value of the Sexual Health Service contracts is based on a estimated two year budget of £2.544 million and offers a full 2 year savings of £0.001m from 2015/16 and 2016/17 rising to £0.004m if extended to 2018/19;

 (iv)        that it be noted that the sum value of the School Nursing Services contract is based on a estimated two year budget of £3.056 million and offers a full 2 year savings of £0.048m from 2015/16 and 2016/17 rising to £0.176m if extended to 2018/19;

  (v)        that it be noted that the sum value of the Post Health Check Service contract is based on a estimated two year budget of £0.492 million meaning the new contract would equate to an increase in cost of £0.003m 2015/16 and 2016/17 rising to £0.035m if extended to 2018/19;

 (vi)        that an exemption from the usual tendering requirements of Contract Standing Orders in accordance with Contract Standing Order 84(a) be agreed to permit the negotiation of 2016/17 Genito-Urinary Medicine (“GUM”) contracts as detailed in paragraph 6 of the report from the Director of Public Health.

(vii)        that authority be delegated to the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the Director of Legal and Procurement and Chief Finance Officer, to participate in negotiation of 2016/17 Genito-Urinary Medicine contracts as set out in paragraph 6 of the report.

(viii)        that authority be delegated to the Director of Public Health, in consultation with Director of Legal and Procurement, to finalise any outstanding contractual matters.