This item will recommend that the Director of Public Health approve the award of a four-year contract (with the option of two one-year extensions) for the Community Connector service, to commence on 1 February 2025.

On the 23^rd of January 2024, the Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee authorised the Director of Public Health to recommission Community Connector, ‘Connect Us’ Service in Wirral. The Committee, delegated authority to the Director of Public Health to award the tender to the successful bidder(s) following the tender process. This report provides an update on the re-commissioning process and advises on the outcome in relation to the Community Connector, ‘Connect Us’ Service.

The process has concluded, the tenders received have been fully evaluated according to the Council’s procurement rules and the Director of Public Health is recommended to award the contract to the successful bidder, Involve Northwest. Current commissioning arrangements expire at the end of January 2025.

The commission supports the implementation of the Wirral Working Together Plan 2023-2027 and its core purpose to work together to promote fairness and opportunity for people and communities in Wirral through working to local priorities using local resources to ensure Wirral residents receive the best possible services.

The proposed actions affect all wards within the borough and the decisions requested are

key decisions.

Appendix 1 to this report contains exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. It is in the public interest to exclude the press and public under Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding the information).