Issue - meetings

The Committee RESOLVED (unanimously):

1. To authorise the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the Executive Director: Adult and Communities and the Chair of the Public Health and Communities Policy Committee, to take all steps required to procure and award a contract(s) for the period of 5 +2 +2 years, with an annual amount of £250,000 to deliver targeted healthy weight services for Bristol, in line with the report and in accordance with the NHS Provider Selection Regime regulations, use of which are to be approved in line with the Council’s prevailing Procurement Rules and maximum budget envelope (£2,250,000).

2. To authorise the Director of Public Health to apply for, accept and allocate any additional external funding (up to a value of 50% of the contract) relating to healthy weight services in accordance with the Council’s prevailing Procurement Rules and any associated funding restrictions (including procuring and awarding contracts).

The Committee considered a report (agenda item 10) seeking approval to procure and award a contract for the commissioning of targeted healthy weight services for adults, families and children.

The Chair commented that this was a key decision report, as the proposed decision involved spend of more than £500k.

Summary of main points raised/noted in discussion of this item:

1. It was noted that this service would form part of a citywide approach supporting healthier weight environments.

2. It was noted that the causes of overweight and obesity were complex and required a multi-faceted approach that encompassed wider social, environmental and economic factors that had the biggest impact on the overall health and wellbeing of the population.  Healthy weight objectives also included tackling issues around those people who were underweight.

3. Whilst noting that the decision for consideration at this meeting was essentially a procurement matter, it was noted that a wide spectrum of activity was taking place around the healthy weight agenda.  Noting the link between poor diet and deprivation in some areas of the city (which was also a national issue), the One City Food Equality Strategy and action plan set out a pathway of practical steps to help improve food equality across the city; steps taken included setting up local food clubs at low cost to participants and offering cooking class opportunities in communities.  It was suggested that encouraging healthy eating in schools should be an ongoing, important consideration.

4. It was noted that a more detailed member briefing around the wider work taking place on healthy weight would be held on 4 September.

5. In response to a question, it was noted that work was taking place in liaison with the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Partnership Board to develop a  system-wide approach to healthy weight and a Healthy Weight Declaration linked to this work.

The Chair then moved the recommendations set out in the report. Councillor Clarke seconded this motion.

The Committee RESOLVED (unanimously):

1. To authorise the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the Executive Director: Adult and Communities and the Chair of the Public Health and Communities Policy Committee, to take all steps required to procure and award a contract(s) for the period of 5 +2 +2 years, with an annual amount of £250,000 to deliver targeted healthy weight services for Bristol, in line with the report and in accordance with the NHS Provider Selection Regime regulations, use of which are to be approved in line with the Council’s prevailing Procurement Rules and maximum budget envelope (£2,250,000).

2. To authorise the Director of Public Health to apply for, accept and allocate any additional external funding (up to a value of 50% of the contract) relating to healthy weight services in accordance with the Council’s prevailing Procurement Rules and any associated funding restrictions (including procuring and awarding contracts).