Issue - meetings

The Director of Public Health to present a report which seeks authority to approach the market for the tendering of sexual health and contraception services, in line with the council’s contract procedure rules and EU procurement legislation.

Resolved:  (i)      That City of York Council officers be authorised to approach the market to inform the commissioning and procurement of a sexual health service, to start from 1 July 2019.

                   (ii)      That the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the Executive Member for Adult Social Care & Health, be authorised to accept the highest scoring tender, in accordance with the evaluation criteria, and award a contract.

                   (iii)     That authority be delegated to the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the Executive Member for Adult Social Care & Health, to manage this contract, including any variations and planned extensions, in accordance with City of York Council’s policy and procedures.

                   (iv)    That the Director of Public Health be authorised to open initial discussions with North Yorkshire County Council on the potential for joint commissioning sexual health services on a North Yorkshire and York footprint, as part of an approach to risk management in the event of a failed tender procedure.

Reason:     To meet the council’s statutory responsibilities under the Health and Social Care Act 2012 and enable sexual health services that are clinically safe, value for money and responsive to local need to be available to York residents.

The Director of Public Health presented a report which sought authority to approach the market for the tendering of sexual health and contraception services, in line with the council’s contract procedure rules and EU procurement legislation.

Local authorities had a statutory responsibility to commission specialist sexual health services for their population.  To meet this obligation, it was proposed to award a new contract for 3 years, with an option to extend by 2 years, plus consideration of a further 2 years, subject to performance, up to a maximum of 7 years.  It was intended to go to the open marketplace with a fixed budget and defined specification based on local need, with an 80% quality and 20% financial assessment model.  Details of this procurement strategy, and the procedure should it fail to secure a contract, were set out in paragraphs 12-16 of the report.

In response to questions from Members, officers confirmed that the current service was working well and it was open to the service provider to re-apply, as well as other contractors.  The risks of operating a safe and effective service with a reduced budget were recognised and being mitigated, as set out in paragraphs 43-45.

Resolved:  (i)      That City of York Council officers be authorised to approach the market to inform the commissioning and procurement of a sexual health service, to start from 1 July 2019.

                   (ii)      That the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the Executive Member for Adult Social Care & Health, be authorised to accept the highest scoring tender, in accordance with the evaluation criteria, and award a contract.

                   (iii)     That authority be delegated to the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the Executive Member for Adult Social Care & Health, to manage this contract, including any variations and planned extensions, in accordance with City of York Council’s policy and procedures.

                   (iv)    That the Director of Public Health be authorised to open initial discussions with North Yorkshire County Council on the potential for joint commissioning sexual health services on a North Yorkshire and York footprint, as part of an approach to risk management in the event of a failed tender procedure.

Reason:     To meet the council’s statutory responsibilities under the Health and Social Care Act 2012 and enable sexual health services that are clinically safe, value for money and responsive to local need to be available to York residents.