(KEY DECISION)

Report No. 186/2017

(KEY DECISION)

Report No. 186/2017 from the Director for People was received.

The Portfolio Holder for Safeguarding Children and Young People, Mr Foster, introduced the report, the purpose of which was to set out the requirements for Healthwatch provision within Rutland along with recommendations for the service model of Healthwatch delivery for Rutland; a move from the current grant funding to a contract; and the procurement process for Healthwatch services to be delivered from April 2018.

During discussion the following points were raised:

1. It was important that the Healthwatch provision was able to cater for the unique needs within Rutland;
2. The £10,000 retention was part of the overall funding of £66,500 annual contract value.  This retention was not intended to compromise the impartiality of Healthwatch, but to ensure that there could be mutual agreement on key issues which may require focus or investigation particularly in respect of joint working with neighbouring areas where there is cross over with health services.  The retention would give the assurance that important and emerging issues were given adequate focus and that the Healthwatch provision provides best value for money;
3. Once the contract had been awarded there would be a discussion at the outset as to what the core business would be, set out in an overarching work plan, within the £56,500.  Exceptional pieces of work identified throughout the financial year would draw on the £10,000 retention, the provider would be asked to provide costings for each piece of work to ensure that the budget was not exceeded; and
4. The contract would be reviewed after three years and a decision made on whether to extend annually from that point.

DECISION

1. Cabinet APPROVED the recommended service model of Healthwatch provision for Rutland.

2. Cabinet APPROVED the recommendation for Healthwatch services from 1^st April 2018 to be awarded via a procurement process.

3. Cabinet AUTHORISED the Director for People, in consultation with the Cabinet Member with portfolio for Health and Adult Social Care, to award the contract resulting from this procurement in line with the Award Criteria as set out in Appendix C to Report No. 186/2017.

Reasons for Decision

1.    It was recommended that the proposed model was accepted and that it was procured via an open tender process as this would provide assurance of commissioning the most appropriate provider and of value for money.  The risks and benefits of the various options had been weighed up and it was believed that this represented the model which would be best able to meet Rutland’s needs whilst delivering an appropriate and effective service.

2.    In order for the procurement process to commence the award criteria needed to be approved by Cabinet.  The criteria had been carefully considered to ensure that the provider successful in the process was capable of meeting the requirements and could deliver appropriate quality services in Rutland.

3.    It was recommended that once the award criteria were approved, approval of contracts was delegated to the Director for People in consultation with the Portfolio Holder.  Decisions would only be taken in line with Cabinet approved criteria.

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Ms K Kibblewhite left the meeting and did not return.

Mr A Edwards joined the meeting.

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