1.    that the Director of Public Health in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services, Public Health and Inequalities be given delegated authority to award the contract to the selected provider as a result of a compliant procurement process; and

2.     that this decision will be on the basis that through the procurement procedure none of the specification, the budget nor the procurement processes proposed are materially different from what is outlined in the submitted report. If any of these do change materially, an updated report will be submitted for reconsideration before the Director of Public Health awards the contract.

A new procurement would enable expansion and modernisation of the service, including the introduction of digital and self-management support, improved behavioural interventions, and targeted communications to increase engagement.  The approach supported the Council’s public health objectives, including reducing smoking prevalence, addressing health inequalities, and contributing to the Smokefree 2030 ambition.  It also ensured compliance with ring-fenced public health grant conditions, including requirements to maintain investment in smoking services and achieve specified quit targets.

Three options had been considered.  The option to recommission the service using the existing specification and budget was discounted as it would not enable modernisation or meet the increased activity required through additional funding.  The option to commission a combined children’s and adult service was also rejected due to a lack of suitable providers and differing service needs between population groups.  The preferred option, was to procure an adult-only specialist stop smoking service with an updated specification and budget to allow for expansion, innovation and improved outcomes.

The decision will come into force and may be implemented on 22 June 2026 unless the call-in procedure is triggered (as set out in the Standing Orders in relation to Overview and Scrutiny).

Public Health receives core funding as part of the ring-fenced grant to deliver smoking services and tobacco control activities.  From 2026-27 it will also receive as part of the core public health ring fenced grant, a separate allocation, also ring-fenced, from the Department for Health and Social Care to further increase support for smokers to quit.

The current specialist stop smoking service was commissioned as part of the integrated Healthy Behaviours Service (Your Health Torbay) delivered by ABL Health.  The current contract ends on 31 March 2027 with no further contract extensions available.  Therefore, an open market procurement is required to select a provider who can deliver the updated requirements and to ensure value for money.

At the meeting Councillor Tranter proposed and Councillor Jackie Thomas seconded a motion that was agreed unanimously by the Cabinet, as set out above.

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