Decision details

Proposed decision:

A.   Award the contract to the successful bidder identified as part of the procurement process, for the provision of People’s Voice Activity (Including Healthwatch Kent), for a maximum of five years (Initial three-year contract with options for two one-year extensions);

B.   Delegate authority to the Corporate Director Adult Social Care and Health, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health and the Corporate Director for Finance, to agree the relevant contract extensions as required; and

C.   Delegate authority to the Corporate Director Adult Social Care and Health to take other relevant actions, including but not limited to finalising the terms of and entering into required contracts or other legal agreements, as necessary to implement the decision.

Reason for the decision:

The current People’s Voice Contract expires automatically on 30 September 2022. Following a successful procurement process a preferred bidder has been identified to award a new contract to, starting from 1 October 2022. The new contract will be for a maximum of five years. (Initial three- year contract with provision for two one-year extensions)

Kent County Council has a statutory duty to commission a local Healthwatch organisation to carry out the eight statutory activities laid out in the Health and Social Care Act 2012 and the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007. 

The aim of the People’s Voice Service is to promote and empower Kent citizens to have a voice in influencing, developing and shaping health and care services in Kent and to provide information and advice as appropriate (in collaboration with other services) and through a variety of methods.

As Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, I agree to:

a) AWARD the contract, to the successful bidder identified as part of the procurement process and as detailed in exempt Appendix 1, for the provision of People’s Voice Activity (Including Healthwatch Kent) for a maximum of five years (initial three-year contract with options for two one-year extensions);

b) DELEGATE authority to the Corporate Director Adult Social Care and Health, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health and the Corporate Director for Finance, to agree the relevant contract extensions as required; and

c) DELEGATE authority to the Corporate Director of Adult Social Care and Health to take other relevant actions, including but not limited to finalising the terms of and entering into required contracts or other legal agreements, as necessary to implement the decision.