The Director of Public Health presented the report which provided an update on the progress made in re-commissioning of the Information and Advice service. Approval was given by committee in November 2022 to re-commission the current service in line with Wirral Council Contract Procedure rules.

The report provides an overview of the findings of the independent evaluation undertaken by Liverpool John Moore’s University and the local mapping work that has been undertaken to support the re-commissioning of the service as agreed at Adult Social Care and Public Health committee on 29 November 2022.

Members noted that permission was given to commence the tender process, the current economic pressures that residents were under, the value of the service in reducing stress during difficult times, and queried how qualitative and quantitative data was monitored and demand would be forecast.

Members also noted that number of volunteers (75) was a good improvement and wanted to put on record their thanks to the volunteers and managers for the service provided.

Resolved – that the work undertaken to recommission the Wirral Information and Advice Service be noted.