This report seeks agreement from the Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee to progress proposed commissioning intentions for information and advice services. The report sets out the requirement for a local information and advice service to be recommissioned from April 2024, as a joint commission.

The current service is experiencing increasing demand, supporting residents and communities with a wide range of issues. This report sets out the proposed funding model for the re-commission, including use of the Public Health Grant, given the strong links between the service outcomes, and improved population health. As part of the re-commissioning process, the potential to further integrate other information and advice services in Wirral will be explored.

Evaluation undertaken to date will shape the delivery and outcomes of this recommission, and an evaluation of the new service will take place to inform future recommissions.

The report supports the implementation of the Wirral Plan 2021 - 26 and its core purpose to improve equity for people and place through the provision of a pan-Wirral, commissioned service that directly supports people in need.

The proposed actions affect all wards within the borough and is a key decision.

On a motion by Cllr Mary Jordan, Seconded by Cllr Ivan Camphor it was -

Resolved – that,

1.  The Director of Public Health be authorised to re-commission the Wirral Information and Advice service totalling up to £7,000,000 (£1,400,000 per annum) for a three-year contract (1st April 2024 – 31st March 2027) with the option of a one year plus further one year extension.

2.  A report be bought back to the committee at a future date, mapping existing service provision and specification development, before the service goes out to tender.

3.  Delegated authority be given to the Director of Public Health to award the tender to the successful bidder following the tender process

To allow Public Health to implement the commissioning intentions for Information and Advice services as outlined in this report.

It is necessary to recommission the service highlighted to comply with Public Contract Regulations and Wirral Council Contract Procedure rules. Other options related to contract length and contract value were considered, including an option not to renew the contract, and provide this service in house. A cross directorate group formed in 2021 to look at the options however given the current cost-of-living crisis, levels of demand on the current service and in house departments, the skills and qualifications required and the volunteer capacity which subsides the service to operate it was agreed that the recommission was the best option for economic reasons.