Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

That a contract be awarded for the provision of a stop smoking service to Thrive Tribe.  (The contract will be for three years from 1 April 2019 with an option to extend for an additional three years in one year intervals.)

Reasons for Decision:

The existing stop smoking contract will expire on 31 March 2019 and an extension is not possible. A full tender process, in compliance with the requirement of Public Contract Regulations and Procurement Standing Orders, has been completed and the recommendations provide best value for money for the Council following a thorough evaluation process.

Helping smokers to quit now reduces the cost of care in the future. The Care Act 2014 requires councils with social care responsibilities to put in place preventive measures designed to reduce the need for care and support in the future. Helping smokers quit now means that they are less likely to require paid for care in the future.

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Health, Integration & Commissioning Select Committee]

The Cabinet Lead Member for People introduced a report that set out data to show that effective stop smoking services have a positive effect on the health and wellbeing of Surrey residents and prevented the need for more intensive and costly interventions from health, social care and the wider public service sector.  The provision of an effective stop smoking service had an active role in supporting the Council’s Vision for Surrey in 2030 and was also a key priority within the NHS 10 Year Plan that focused on prevention.

He went on to explain how tobacco control and the provision of stop smoking services were key to improving health and wellbeing and focus on the most vulnerable communities which was strongly reflected in the Community Vision for Surrey in 2030. Providing a stop smoking service supported residents to make good choices about their wellbeing. The targeted, prioritised service model would help to reduce the health inequalities caused by smoking, ensuring that no one was left behind. This service was a core component of the Surrey Health and Wellbeing Strategy, currently being refreshed as part of the work being done to deliver the Surrey 10 year plan.

The Cabinet Member went on to say that this would be funded via the ring fenced Public Health Grant, the budget for this service has been reduced following the reduction in the overall grant distributed by the Department of Health. The Council was aiming to maintain a quality service that targets those residents most in need of support within the financial resource available. However, the service was still open to anyone wishing to quit.  The financial details were contained in a Part 2 annex to the report.

There were several Members speaking in favour of the recommendations.

RESOLVED:

That a contract be awarded for the provision of a stop smoking service to Thrive Tribe.  (The contract will be for three years from 1 April 2019 with an option to extend for an additional three years in one year intervals.)

Reasons for Decision:

The existing stop smoking contract expired on 31 March 2019 and an extension was not possible. A full tender process, in compliance with the requirement of Public Contract Regulations and Procurement Standing Orders, had been completed and the recommendations provided best value for money for the Council following a thorough evaluation process.

Helping smokers to quit now reduced the cost of care in the future. The Care Act 2014 required councils with social care responsibilities to put in place preventive measures designed to reduce the need for care and support in the future. Helping smokers quit now meant that they were less likely to require paid for care in the future.