Issue - meetings

The contract with Scout Enterprises Ltd to host the delivery of the Local Involvement Network (LINK) ends on 31st March 2012. Policy & Partnerships has considered various options to ensure that our statutory obligation to continue delivery of the LINK to 30 September 2012 and commission a HealthWatch body to commence operating on 1 October 2012 -2015 is achieved.

Councillor Simon Allen, in proposing the item, said that it was essential that users had a say in shaping the health services they received.  The Council was acting in the role of pathfinder, and he was proposing that the existing LINk contract be extended to the end of June 2012; and that a new HealthWatch contract to replace it would be awarded to start from July 2012.

Councillor David Dixon seconded the proposal.

On a motion from Councillor Simon Allen, seconded by Councillor David Dixon, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To NOTE the Council’s legal obligation as stated in the Local Government and Public Involvement in health Act 2007 to promote a smooth transition from LINk to HealthWatch;

(2) To EXTEND the contract of Scout Enterprises Ltd until 30 June 2012, on their current terms and conditions;

(3) To AGREE the procurement of a HealthWatch provider from 1 July 2012, who will act as LINk Host organisation from 1 July 2012 – 30 September 2012; and

(4) To DELEGATE to the Divisional Director (Policy and Partnerships) the authority to award the contract.