Agenda item

This report provides details on the London Sexual Health Commissioning Collaborative Programme (LSHP) and seeks approval to the procurement of a new London Sexual Health and Contraception E-Service through the Programme.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)       To approve the Council’s participation in a collaborative procurement with the other 30 London boroughs for a contract for the provision of the London Sexual Health and Contraceptive E-Service.

(2)       To approve an exemption from the usual tendering requirements of Contract Standing Orders 84(a) to agree that the City of London Corporation act as the lead authority in the collaborative procurement detailed in (1) above for the reasons detailed in paragraph 3 of the report and accordingly that its Standing Orders and Financial Regulations be used for the collaborative procurement.

(3)       To delegate authority to the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Leisure,to agree the award of a new contract with the successful bidder for a period of 5 years (with an option to extend for a further 4 years)

(4)       To delegate authority to the Director of Public Health in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Leisure, to agree for the Council to enter into the Inter-Authority agreement (IAA), and any other necessary legal agreement/s, with the City of London Corporation, to enable the provision of services to Brent Council following completion of the procurement process.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 14 April 25

Councillor Nerva (Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health & Leisure) introduced a report from the Corporate Director Service Reform & Strategy providing details on the London Sexual Health Commissioning Collaborative Programme (LSHP) and seeking approval to the procurement of a new London Sexual Health and Contraception E-Service through the Programme.

In presenting the report, members noted the importance of sexual health services as part of the Council’s public health responsibilities with the proposals presented for consideration seeking to enhance their provision across London through a collaborative procurement that Brent had been invited to participate in with 30 other London boroughs for a new London Sexual Health and Contraception E-Service.  Members were advised that the creation of an e-service was regarded as a key step in modernising the delivery of sexual health services by enabling the provision of an online service for less complex issues designed to offer patients greater convenience and choice whilst also enabling more efficient use of clinical resources by reducing the pressure on face-to-face services and allowing health care professionals to focus on the more complex cases where in-person care was required.  Having noted that the approach had been developed as part of the successful London Sexual Health Commissioning Collaborative Programme (LSHP), members were advised it had also been recognised as good practice both in terms of the positive feedback from service users and way in which working collaboratively at regional level had been able to deliver more cost-effective services, within the wider context of financial pressures faced by local authorities.

In welcoming and supporting the proactive approach being taken towards the procurement to ensure residents had access to important public health provision in a way that was preferred and also aligned with local priorities and national policy objectives Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)        To approve the Council’s participation in a collaborative procurement with the other 30 London boroughs for a contract for the provision of the London Sexual Health and Contraceptive E-Service.

(2)        To approve an exemption from the usual tendering requirements of Contract Standing Orders 84(a) to agree that the City of London Corporation act as the lead authority in the collaborative procurement detailed in (1) above for the reasons detailed in paragraph 3 of the report and accordingly that its Standing Orders and Financial Regulations be used for the collaborative procurement.

(3)        To delegate authority to the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Leisure,to agree the award of a new contract with the successful bidder for a period of 5 years (with an option to extend for a further 4 years)

(4)        To delegate authority to the Director of Public Health in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Leisure, to agree for the Council to enter into the Inter-Authority agreement (IAA), and any other necessary legal agreement/s, with the City of London Corporation, to enable the provision of services to Brent Council following completion of the procurement process.