Issue - items at meetings - Re-commissioning of Healthwatch services

Report of the Executive Director, Housing, Communities & Neighbourhoods (copy attached)

33.1    The report was introduced by John Reading, Third Sector Manager.

33.2    Cllrs Miller and Shanks asked questions on this item.

33.3    RESOLVED - That Committee approves the re-commissioning of the Healthwatch contract and delegates authority to the Executive Director for Housing, Neighbourhoods and Communities to procure and award a three year contract and to grant a two year extension (subject to satisfactory performance).

33.4    Cllr Shanks voted against the resolution, having argued that a direct award to the current provider could have been made instead and would be a better option given the excellent track record of the current provider and the need to manage procurement costs.