Decision details

Cabinet considered a joint report of the Interim Corporate Director Health and Care Services and Corporate Director – Resources in relation to the transfer in October 2015 of responsibility for commissioning the 0-5 element of the Healthy Child Programme to the County Council from NHS England.  The report sought an exemption from Contract procedure Rules, to allow the incumbent provider to remain in position for a period of eighteen months from 1st October, 2015 to 31st March 2017, in order to fulfil the DoH (Department of Health) requirement for stability and continuity of provision.

The proposal supported the existing strategic planning process around the integration of children’s public health services and early help services in two ways. Firstly it would be possible to amend the short term contract and service specification by negotiation to begin the process of integration; secondly it would align the timescales for commissioning both the 0-5 and 5-19 services to enable these to be brought together to form a fully integrated system from April 2017.

Cabinet noted that the Interim Monitoring Officer had declined to use her delegated powers to grant the exemption given the contract value and considered her advice in respect of proceeding in the manner suggested.

Cabinet agreed a minor amendment resolution 2 below substituting the Cabinet Member for Public Health and Community Services for the Cabinet Member Health and Care Services.

RESOLVED,that

(1)               the proposal that the 0-5 Healthy Child Programme contract is exempted from Contract Procedure Rules and that a new contract is awarded to the incumbent provider for a period of eighteen months, from 1st October 2015 to 31st March 2017. be approved;

(2)               responsibility be delegated, for determining the contract value, to the Interim Director of Health and Care Services, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, the Deputy Leader and the Cabinet Member for Public Health and Community Services, once final figures are provided by the Department of Health and NHS England.