Decision details

Agreed that:-

(1) The Director of Public Health be authorised to begin a procurement process for the provision of the Young People’s Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) Training and Support Service in Sandwell to commence on 1st September 2023 for a period of 2 years to 31st August 2025 with the option to extend up to a further two years.

(2) The Council be authorised to award and enter into a contract with the successful bidder, on terms to be agreed with the Director of Public Health for the provision of the Young People’s Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) Training and Support Service in Sandwell to commence on 1st September 2023 for a period of 2 years to 31st August 2025 with the option to extend up to a further two years. The overall contract value for 2 + 2 years is £526,648.

(3) The Director of Public Health and/or Monitoring Officer be authorised to execute any documents necessary to give effect to the proposals in recommendation (1) and (2) for the provision of the Young People’s Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) Training and Support Service in Sandwell.

(4) Approve an exemption to rule 8.8 and any other necessary part of Contract Procedure Rules July 2022 to allow the contract to be awarded to the successful tenderer in the event that the required minimum number of tenders are not received.

(5) The Cabinet Member also approve Variations to the Contract up to a maximum of 10% of the Contract value, should they be necessitated, and that authority to approve such Variations be delegated to the appropriate Chief Officer in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member.

To prevent a gap in provision of the Young People’s Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) Training and Support Service in Sandwell from 1st September 2023, we propose undertaking a procurement exercise.

The procurement exercise will provide an opportunity to review the current specification for the Young People’s Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) Training and Support Service in Sandwell in response to increasing demands upon the service and consultation feedback.

The Young People’s Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) Training and Support Service in Sandwell is a key Public Health priority, as such any change to the delivery of this would have a detrimental impact on the young people’s population. The evidence of the increasing demand for this Service over recent years emphasises the impact and need of the Service. Therefore, due to the nature of the service the only realistic option is to competitively procure it.