Issue - items at meetings - Sexual Health Services

Report of the Director of Public Health (copy attached).

(1)               That it be agreed that the commissioners should seek to negotiate a contract to deliver an integrated sexual health service with the current providers; with the option of moving to a competitive process if negotiations fail;

(2)               That the Director of Public Health be granted delegated authority to conduct the negotiations on the Council’s behalf, and to run a competitive procurement in the event that the negotiations fail; and

(3)               That the committee should receive a report on the outcome of the negotiations before a new contract is awarded.

158.1    The Lead Commissioner for Sexual Health & HIV introduced the report which detailed the change of responsibility for commissioning sexual health services from the NHS to local authorities and the proposed procurement process for awarding a contract for these services beyond March 2015 by the Council.  He stated that it was hoped to be able to reach an agreed position with the current providers in the city but should negotiations fail, to be able to run a competitive procurement process in order to secure a contract for 2015.

158.2    Councillor Shanks welcomed the report and stated that it had been considered by the Health & Wellbeing Board and she hoped that the negotiations could be concluded with a positive outcome.

158.3    Councillor A. Norman noted that a petition on the issue had been submitted earlier in the meeting and that the report was recommending the agreement of a contract with the current providers; however she questioned whether it would be better to test the market.  It was a high value contract and it would be better to test the market to determine the best provider for the service.

158.4    The Lead Commissioner for Sexual Health & HIV stated that the two providers were able to meet the service model that had been identified and it was felt that they offered the most cost effective service and provide the best practice.  The hope was that negotiations would be concluded with an agreed contract, but because of the time frame agreement for the option to undertake a procurement process was also sought.

158.5    The Chair referred to the report and stated that he believed the proposed approach was the right one and therefore supported the recommendations as outlined.  He also noted that it would be helpful to have a discussion in closed session so that the information provided to Members in the appendix listed at Item 161 on the agenda could be taken in to consideration.  He therefore proposed that the meeting should move into closed session and asked for the public gallery to be cleared.

158.6    The meeting then moved into closed session at 6.10pm.

158.7    The Chair reconvened the meeting at 6.15pm.

158.8    The Chair then put the recommendations to the vote.

158.9    RESOLVED:

(1)         That it be agreed that the commissioners should seek to negotiate a contract to deliver an integrated sexual health service with the current providers; with the option of moving to a competitive process if negotiations fail;

(2)         That the Director of Public Health be granted delegated authority to conduct the negotiations on the Council’s behalf, and to run a competitive procurement in the event that the negotiations fail; and

(3)         That the committee should receive a report on the outcome of the negotiations before a new contract is awarded.