Councillor Ann McLachlan introduced a report of the Director of Public Health that sought the Cabinet’s approval of the draft Commissioning Strategy (2014-16).  The draft Strategy set out the Council’s commissioning vision and objectives, and the approach for achieving them.  The Cabinet was aware that through this approach the commissioning activities of the Council would be aligned directly to the overarching vision for the borough as set out in the Corporate Plan.  The Strategy was appended to the report as Appendix 1.

The Strategy proposed an approach to Strategic Commissioning for the Council based on the intention to move into more outcomes-based commissioning.

The Commissioning Strategy focussed on the following areas:

·  Aim of the strategy

·  Defining commissioning, procurement and contract management

·  Why commissioning is important

·  Commissioning principles for Wirral

·  Becoming an expert commissioner

·  Governance

·  Embedding the strategy

Councillor Ann McLachlan referred to the successful bid made to the Cabinet Office and thanked the Strategic Director of Families and Wellbeing and the Director of Public Health who had been the driving forces in respect of it.  She informed that the Council now had a good model and policy to take the Council forward.

Councillor Phil Davies considered the report and the Strategy both to be good as they would reduce costs and duplication.  The Council was now clear what its outcomes were and he considered that this would make it a more efficient and joined up organisation.

RESOLVED:

That the content of the report be approved.