The People Committee of Kingston Council was scheduled to discuss a range of important matters concerning the borough's residents, with a particular focus on the delivery of health, social care, and education services. Key agenda items included the approval of the Council's Delivery Plan for 2026/27, the finalisation of a Section 75 Partnership Agreement with the South West London Integrated Care Board, and decisions regarding the future of Achieving for Children, the company responsible for delivering children's services. The committee was also set to consider contract awards for crucial services such as the Sexual Health London e-service, community drug and alcohol treatment, and health visiting and school health services.

Council Delivery Plan 2026/27

The committee was scheduled to consider the actions within the draft Council Delivery Plan for 2026/27 that fall under the remit of the People Committee. This plan outlines the key strategic priority actions the council intends to undertake to achieve the priorities set out in the Council Plan 2023-27, which aims to make the borough Fairer, Safer, Greener, Together and ensure a Future Council ready for the challenges ahead. The delivery plan is structured around the council's overarching themes: Fairer, Safer, Greener, Together, and Future Council, detailing specific actions and activities planned for the 2026/27 financial year. These actions are designed to align with the council's ambitions for its residents and communities, with progress reviewed quarterly and an end-of-year report to be published.

Approval of Draft Section 75 Partnership Agreement 2026/27 and Extension of Public Health Major Contracts

A significant item on the agenda was the approval of the draft Section 75 Partnership Agreement for 2026/27 between the Council and the South West London Integrated Care Board (SWL ICB). This agreement, established under Section 75 of the NHS Act 2006, governs the collaboration and integration of health and local government services, including joint commissioning and funding arrangements. The committee was asked to approve the draft agreement and delegate authority to the Executive Director of Adult Social Care & Health to finalise any in-year changes. Additionally, the committee was to consider the extension of major Public Health contracts for 2026/27, specifically for Drug & Alcohol Services, Health Visiting & School Nursing Services (0-19), and Sexual Health Services. These extensions are crucial for ensuring the continuity of essential public health services for Kingston residents.

Achieving for Children Ownership Decisions

The committee was scheduled to make key decisions regarding Achieving for Children (AfC), a company jointly owned by the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, which delivers children's services for these authorities. These decisions, considered reserved matters, included the approval of AfC's detailed budget for 2026/27, its Medium Term Financial Strategy, its Treasury Plan for managing cash flow, and its five-year Strategic Plan. These approvals are vital for ensuring the financial sustainability and strategic direction of AfC, which serves over 120,000 children and young people across the three boroughs.

Contract Award for the Sexual Health London (E-service)

Approval was sought for the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames (RBK) to award a contract for the Sexual Health London (SHL) e-service. This online service provides free, confidential STI testing kits and sexual health advice to residents aged 16 and over. The procurement, led by the City of London Corporation on behalf of 30 London boroughs, aims to establish a new contract for the period August 2026 to March 2031, with potential extensions until March 2035. The new contract is expected to offer enhanced features, including digital PrEP access and improved inclusion measures, while maintaining value for money through economies of scale.

Community Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Recovery Service (Adults)

The committee was to consider the procurement strategy for a new community-based drug and alcohol treatment and recovery service for adults in Kingston. The current contract for the Kingston Wellbeing Service (KWS) is due to expire on 31 March 2027, and the Section 75 agreement with SWL ICB is also ending. Public Health is requesting approval to initiate a procurement process using the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Competitive Process, with a new contract targeted to commence on 1 April 2027. The proposed service model aims to be comprehensive, evidence-based, and community-focused, with an estimated contract value of over £16 million for an initial seven-year period.

Procurement of Health Visiting & School Health Services (0-19)

The committee was asked to approve the procurement of a new contract for the 0-19 Health Visiting and School Health Service. This service, currently delivered by Your Healthcare CIC under contract with Kingston & Richmond Hospital Foundation Trust, is mandated by the Public Health Grant and is essential for improving health outcomes, reducing inequalities, and ensuring child safety. The proposed procurement will use the Competitive Process under the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) for a contract term of five years with an option to extend for a further two years, with an anticipated annual value between £3.3 million and £3.7 million. The report highlighted the service's contribution to various council priorities, including Best Start in Life and creating a Fairer and Safer borough.

The meeting also included standard agenda items such as public questions, petitions, apologies for absence, and declarations of interest, as well as the confirmation of previous minutes.