URL: https://councillors.knowsley.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=6836

Decision Maker: Executive Director Resources (James Duncan) and Assistant Executive Director Public Health (Sarah McNulty)

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: The purpose of the report is to seek approval in accordance with Contract Procedure Rule 9.3.1(a), to modify the contract with Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust for the Knowsley Healthy Child Programme (Lot 1: 0-25 Public Health Service in Knowsley) as provided for within the existing contract at clause A3.3 from 1 February 2025 to 31 January 2027.   The justification for the decision is, as required by Contract Procedure Rule 9.3.1(a): The modification is provided for within the existing contract at clause A3.3 in precise and clear detail with regards to scope, nature and conditions under which the modification may be used.   The purpose of the report is to also seek approval in accordance with Contract Procedure Rule 9.3.1(f), to modify the contract with Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust for the Knowsley Healthy Child Programme (Lot 1: 0-25 Public Health Service in Knowsley) to include an increase in the original tendered rate of payment to deliver this contract, and to continue to deliver the Family Hubs modifications for a further period of two months to March 2025, in line with national timeframes.   The justification for these decisions is, as required by Contract Procedure Rule 9.3.1(f): The modification values do not exceed the relevant FTS threshold; the modification values are less than 10% of the initial contract value (as a services contract) and the modifications do not alter the overall nature of the contract.   These modifications are being sought because the provider is delivering its services in line with expectations, and it is felt that triggering the option to extend is reasonable in the circumstances, as well as to continue with Family Hub provision until the end of the national programme. In terms of the proposed change in price for the extension period, it is accepted that inflationary pressures have increased the cost of delivering the service and that the provider should be supported in covering these extra costs.   A one-off payment is also being made to Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust of an amount that would have been paid should their contract have been uplifted from April 2024.  The rationale for this payment is due to the national NHS Pay Award that was applied across all NHS staff in 2023.  The Council, after negotiation with the Provider, has agreed to support the absorption of these costs already incurred since April 2024.

Content: The purpose of the report is to seek approval in accordance with Contract Procedure Rule 9.3.1(a), to modify the contract with Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust for the Knowsley Healthy Child Programme (Lot 1: 0-25 Public Health Service in Knowsley) as provided for within the existing contract at clause A3.3 from 1 February 2025 to 31 January 2027.   The justification for the decision is, as required by Contract Procedure Rule 9.3.1(a): The modification is provided for within the existing contract at clause A3.3 in precise and clear detail with regards to scope, nature and conditions under which the modification may be used.   The purpose of the report is to also seek approval in accordance with Contract Procedure Rule 9.3.1(f), to modify the contract with Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust for the Knowsley Healthy Child Programme (Lot 1: 0-25 Public Health Service in Knowsley) to include an increase in the original tendered rate of payment to deliver this contract, and to continue to deliver the Family Hubs modifications for a further period of two months to March 2025, in line with national timeframes.   The justification for these decisions is, as required by Contract Procedure Rule 9.3.1(f): The modification values do not exceed the relevant FTS threshold; the modification values are less than 10% of the initial contract value (as a services contract) and the modifications do not alter the overall nature of the contract.   These modifications are being sought because the provider is delivering its services in line with expectations, and it is felt that triggering the option to extend is reasonable in the circumstances, as well as to continue with Family Hub provision until the end of the national programme. In terms of the proposed change in price for the extension period, it is accepted that inflationary pressures have increased the cost of delivering the service and that the provider should be supported in covering these extra costs.   A one-off payment is also being made to Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust of an amount that would have been paid should their contract have been uplifted from April 2024.  The rationale for this payment is due to the national NHS Pay Award that was applied across all NHS staff in 2023.  The Council, after negotiation with the Provider, has agreed to support the absorption of these costs already incurred since April 2024. By Assistant Executive Director (Public Health)   (i)       That, in accordance with Contract Procedure Rule 9.3.1(a), the contract with Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust for the Knowsley Healthy Child Programme (Lot 1: 0-25 Public Health Service in Knowsley) be modified by extending the term as provided for within the existing contract at clause A3.3 from 1 February 2025 to 31 January 2027.   (ii)       That a one-off payment be made to Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust of £158,566, an amount equal to what they would have been due, had their contract price been modified with effect from 1 April 2024.   By Executive Director (Resources) and Assistant Executive Director (Public Health)   (iii)      That, in accordance with Contract Procedure Rule 9.3.1(f), the contract with Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust for the Knowsley Healthy Child Programme (Lot 1: 0-25 Public Health Service in Knowsley) be modified by modifying the pricing to include an uplift of 5% from tendered rates for the extension period 1 February 2025 to 31 January 2027.     (iv)      That, in accordance with Contract Procedure Rule 9.3.1 (f), the contract with Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust for the Knowsley Healthy Child Programme Lot 1: 0-25 Public Health Service in Knowsley be modified by extending the term of the existing Family Hubs modifications from 1 February 2025 to 31 March 2025.   (v)      That the Procurement Team be authorised to issue the relevant contract modification documentation. Do Nothing: 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 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): The service has recovered well from the transition to a new provider and is stable and delivering to expected outcomes and targets. By extending this service, rather than going out to full competition, the Council will maintain stability on this contract and ensure that families’ needs are identified and met as early as possible.    Not continue previous modifications: This was considered and rejected as the modifications to the contract have been implemented to support the Infant Feeding milestones identified in our local delivery plan, as part of the national Family Hubs Programme.  The funding for these modifications is outlined in the Family Hubs detailed plan to be in place until March 2025, when the programme ends.  By continuing to include these modifications for this period, we ensure that the outcomes detailed in our Family Hub plan can be achieved.

Date of Decision: December 4, 2024