Agenda item

That the contract be awarded for the provision of the Stop Smoking Service as described in the Part 2 report (item 18) for a period of three years with an option to extend on one or more occasions for up to two years commencing from the 1 February 2016. In any event the contract shall be for no more than five years in total and any such extension be notified to the Service Provider at least 3 months prior to the contract end date.

Reasons for Decisions:

The recommended contract award will deliver an evidence based Stop Smoking Service that meets national guidance and will be responsive to the needs of key priority groups including deprived communities, pregnant women and young people. Priority groups have been identified in the Tobacco needs assessment as being particularly at risk of smoking related morbidity and mortality, or in the case of pregnant women, their smoking can cause harm to others.

An independent review commissioned by the Council found that the existing provision, which is delivered in-house, does not fullymeet the current evidence base, national guidance or the needs of priority groups. Following consultation, and an appraisal of the options with key stakeholders, a decision was taken to commission an external specialist stop smoking service.

A full tender process, in compliance with the requirements of EU Procurement Legislation and the Council’s Procurement Standing Orders has been completed, and the recommendation provides best value for money for the Council following a thorough evaluation process.

The service will be delivered in Surrey from local office bases and will provide apprenticeship opportunities to Surrey Young People whilst delivering efficiencies for Public Health Services.

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Wellbeing and Health Scrutiny Board]

The Cabinet Member for Wellbeing and Health informed Cabinet Members that smoking remained the biggest cause of mortality and morbidity in Surrey and had cost Local Authorities, local businesses and the NHS over £100 million in 2012.

She went on to say that preventative measures were key and that current data had shown that the success rate of people quitting had reduced. She said that the provision of high quality local Stop Smoking Services was a key priority for reducing health inequalities and improving the health of local populations.

She asked the Cabinet to approve a contract to North 51 for the provision of a Stop Smoking Service to commence on 1 February 2016 which would target priority groups including deprived communities, pregnant women and young people.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Wellbeing and Independence queried whether the new contract would cover electronic cigarettes and was informed that this would not form part of the contract due to electronic smoking not currently being regulated.

The Cabinet Associate for Community Safety Services reflected how comprehensive the Equality Impact Assessment was.

The Cabinet Member for Schools, Skills and Educational Achievement informed Members that she welcomed this report and would want to see it linked to a comprehensive campaign in schools with a focus to stop children smoking.

The Leader concluded the discussion by requesting that the contract was reviewed a year in by the Health and Wellbeing Board to measure its success.

RESOLVED:

That the contract be awarded for the provision of the Stop Smoking Service as described in the Part 2 report (item 18) for a period of three years with an option to extend on one or more occasions for up to two years commencing from the 1 February 2016. In any event the contract shall be for no more than five years in total and any such extension be notified to the Service Provider at least 3 months prior to the contract end date.

Reasons for Decisions:

The recommended contract award will deliver an evidence based Stop Smoking Service that meets national guidance and will be responsive to the needs of key priority groups including deprived communities, pregnant women and young people. Priority groups have been identified in the Tobacco needs assessment as being particularly at risk of smoking related morbidity and mortality, or in the case of pregnant women, their smoking can cause harm to others.

An independent review commissioned by the Council found that the existing provision, which is delivered in-house, does not fullymeet the current evidence base, national guidance or the needs of priority groups. Following consultation, and an appraisal of the options with key stakeholders, a decision was taken to commission an external specialist stop smoking service.

A full tender process, in compliance with the requirements of EU Procurement Legislation and the Council’s Procurement Standing Orders has been completed, and the recommendation provides best value for money for the Council following a thorough evaluation process.

The service will be delivered in Surrey from local office bases and will provide apprenticeship opportunities to Surrey Young People whilst delivering efficiencies for Public Health Services.