Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/016

Contact: Val Messenger, Deputy Director of Public Health Tel: (01865) 328660

Report by Director of Public Health (CMDPHVS4).

The Council has a statutory obligation to “take such steps as it considers appropriate for improving the health of the people in its area” (s2B National Health Service Act 2006 (“NHSA 2006”) as amended by s12 Health and Social Care Act 2012). This includes “providing services or facilities for the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of illness” (s 2B (3) (c) NHSA 2006).

Public Health has a ring fenced budget, and within this an allocation has been made for  public health services for children and young people aged 5-19 and the National Child Measurement Programme. This information is reported to the Cabinet.

Contracts with current providers expire on 31/3/2014, so a decision is required in order to proceed with procurement arrangements.

Costs of commissioning these services is greater than £500,000 and commitment to incur this expenditure has not previously been made by the Council due to existing contracts having been transferred in on 1 April 2013. For this reason incurring of this expenditure for the commissioning of these services is considered a key decision.

The Cabinet Member for Public Health & the Voluntary Sector is RECOMMENDED to approve the incurring of expenditure for the commissioning of School Health Nursing Services and to delegate to the Director of Public Health, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Public Health and the Voluntary Sector, the authority to determine tenders and contracts in order to secure the provision of services.

Approved.