Issue - meetings

      Report of the Chief Executive

Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Public Protection, Leisure, Libraries, Facilities Management and Operational Assets presented the report seeking authority to commence the procurement process to secure future substance misuse support services for both drugs and alcohol in Wiltshire.

Cllr Blair-Pilling reported that tackling substance misuse has been a priority both nationally and locally in Wiltshire for many years, with the Council’s Public Health team being lead commissioner of both young people and adult’s substance misuse services. It was noted that to date both of these services had been commissioned separately and both due to expire on 31 March 2023. The report presents the rationale to support a single, integrated substance misuse service across the life course for Wiltshire residents.

Cabinet members noted the importance of the service being accessible to rough sleepers and those suffers with mental health, and that metrics associated with the effectiveness of the service would be available in due course.

Cllr Gordon King, Vice-Chair of the Health Select Committee confirmed that he, Cllr Johnny Kidney, Chair of the Health Select Committee had met with the Cabinet member and officers on 5 April 2022 to discuss the report. The Members noted that the contract ended on 31 March 2023 and there is a need to commence the procurement of a new contract. They also noted the decision to no longer co-commission with Swindon Borough Council and the move towards a ‘lifecourse approach’. Cllr King indicated that scrutiny would ask officers to provide an update on service provision to a future Health Select Committee.

Resolved:

a)    Agree a procurement process is undertaken for a joint young people and adults' substance misuse service to enable the provision of future services in Wiltshire from 2023.

b)    Delegate authority for awarding the contract to the new service provider/s to the Director of Public Health in consultation with the Corporate Leadership Team and Cabinet Member for Public Health and Public Protection, Leisure, Libraries, Facilities Management and Operational Assets.

Reason for Decision:

The current contracts will expire on 31st March 2023, this paper asks Cabinet to agree the recommissioning of substance misuse services in Wiltshire.

Wiltshire's health needs assessment identified a need to strengthen the offer for young people transitioning into adult specialist support services, therefore we are proposing a single, integrated life course model which would help support young people transitioning and reduce disengagement.

The commissioning of substance misuse services is funded by the Public Health grant, with contributions from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), under the responsibility of the Director of Public Health. Delegating responsibility for contract award, reduces award delay and negates the potential for a gap in service delivery.