Purpose

Seek approval to uplift current contract value for 2 further years to address additional demand
 

Decision

That Cabinet Member for Health and Communities approves the modification of the Public Health Advisory Service contract as provided for in the contract terms for two years (from 1 October 2024 to 30 Sept 2026) by increasing the overall contract value by £0.494m to enable additional services to be delivered to meet increased demand for services. 

Reasons for the decision

Offer additional long-term capacity to the Public Health Advisory Service to meet increased demand.

Alternative options considered

Do Nothing (Not preferred): Risk that demand will outstrip resources, and that skilled staff will leave the organisation.

Fund at current Contain Outbreak Management Fund (COMF) uplift levels (£0.670m total value) for a further 2 years (Not preferred): This level of funding is not sustainable now that the COMF funding stream has ended.

Fund at the reduced rate of (£0.494mtotal value) outlined in this report (Preferred option): to cover both additional capacity and food bank wraparound support.

Fund only additional food bank wraparound support (£0.200m) (Not preferred): Whilst this could be an alternative to continue to support one cohort, it will result in a reduction in generalist advisory capacity across the main PHAS contract, could result in gaps in service, and will result in a reduction of suitably qualified workers.