URL: https://councillors.knowsley.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=8119

Decision Maker: Executive Director Resources & Partnerships (Stephan Van Arendsen) & Executive Director Health and Social Care (Jenny Rollinson)

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: The purpose of the report is to seek approval in accordance with The Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023, Regulation 13(1)(d) to modify the contract with Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust for the Knowsley Healthy Child Programme contract (Lot 1: 0-25 Public Health Service in Knowsley) by modifying the pricing from 1 April 2026 to 31 January 2027 by £277,699.   This modification is justified as the requirements of The Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023, Regulation 13(1)(d) are met as follows:   (d)      the modification is attributable to a decision of the relevant authority and both of the criteria in paragraph (2) are met.   The criteria in Regulation 13(2) are met as follows:   (a)      the modification does not render the contract or framework agreement materially different in character, and (b)(ii)  the cumulative change in the lifetime value of the contract or framework agreement since it was entered into or concluded is less than 25% of the lifetime value of the original contract agreement when it was entered into or concluded.   The report also seeks approval of a separate one-off payment of £333,238 to cover the provider’s additional costs in the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.  

Content: The purpose of the report is to seek approval in accordance with The Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023, Regulation 13(1)(d) to modify the contract with Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust for the Knowsley Healthy Child Programme contract (Lot 1: 0-25 Public Health Service in Knowsley) by modifying the pricing from 1 April 2026 to 31 January 2027 by £277,699.   This modification is justified as the requirements of The Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023, Regulation 13(1)(d) are met as follows:   (d)      the modification is attributable to a decision of the relevant authority and both of the criteria in paragraph (2) are met.   The criteria in Regulation 13(2) are met as follows:   (a)      the modification does not render the contract or framework agreement materially different in character, and (b)(ii)  the cumulative change in the lifetime value of the contract or framework agreement since it was entered into or concluded is less than 25% of the lifetime value of the original contract agreement when it was entered into or concluded.   The report also seeks approval of a separate one-off payment of £333,238 to cover the provider’s additional costs in the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.   By Executive Director (Resources and Partnerships) and Executive Director (Health and Social Care)   (i)             That, in accordance with The Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023, Regulation 13(1)(d), the contract with Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trustfor the Knowsley Healthy Child Programme contract (Lot 1: 0-25 Public Health Service in Knowsley) be modified by amending the pricing from 1 April 2026 to 31 January 2027 by £277,699;   (ii)            That the Procurement Team be authorised to issue the relevant contract modification documentation; and   By Executive Director (Health and Social Care)   (iii)           That a one-off payment of £333,238 be made to Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust to reflect what they would have been due, had their contract price been modified with effect from 1 April 2025.   This option was considered and rejected because the Knowsley Healthy Child Programme (Lot 1: 0-25 Public Health Service in Knowsley) is a statutory service that provides a universal offer for all children in Knowsley.  The uplift to the contract is being sought so that the existing provider can continue to deliver the outcomes detailed in the specification whilst upholding the NHS pay agreement terms for staff and managing the increased costs associated with this contract.   Seek Competition (Quotation / Tender): This option was considered and rejected because Wirral Community Heath and Care NHS Foundation Trust are in the final year of the contract following the implementation of a two-year provided-for extension from 1 February 2025 to 31 January 2027 (Key Decision K1692). The service is performing well and it would not be appropriate to tender and award a new contract at this time.  

Date of Decision: March 25, 2026