Purpose

Brief Description

The current contract for the provision of Local Healthwatch expires on 31st March 2026. A decision will be taken regarding modifying and extending the current contract.

This is due to the UK Government announcing its intention to close Healthwatch England and the local Healthwatch network. This announcement introduces significant uncertainty, particularly around future funding and legislative timelines. Legislative change is required to enact the closure.

Impact On Wards

This is a city-wide service and therefore impacts all wards across the city. Healthwatch Leeds operates across all wards, engaging with diverse communities and influencing health and care services at a strategic level throughout the city.

Financial and procurement implications

The proposed closure of Healthwatch England and the local Healthwatch network requires legislative change, and the timeline for this remains unclear.

The future of the Local Reform and Community Voices (LRCV) grant, which partially funds the Healthwatch Leeds contract, is also uncertain.

The current contract value is £374,400 per annum, which has remained unchanged since 2016/17.

It is funded through the Local Reform and Community Voices (LRCV) grant and the general settlement grant allocated to local authorities.

Based on this annual value, the cost of the proposed 12-month extension is £347,400 plus an additional 6 months at approximately £187,200.

The total cost for 18 month is £534,600.

While the council continues to receive the LRCV grant—estimated at £195,000 for a 12-month period—the net cost to Leeds City Council (LCC) for the 12-month extension would be approximately £179,400 and £269,100 for 18 months.

There is a financial risk that, if the Local Reform and Community Voices (LRCV) grant is withdrawn during the 12-month extension period due to legislative changes, Leeds City Council may be liable for the remaining contract costs. To mitigate this, Legal colleagues will include wording in the contract to specify that the extension will last for up to 12 months or until relevant legislation comes into effect, whichever is sooner.

Partnership working

Healthwatch Leeds CIC is deeply embedded in the city’s health and care system, participating in key governance structures such as the Health and Wellbeing Board and the ICB Leeds Committee. The provider leads the People’s Voices Partnership and collaborates with statutory and third-sector partners to ensure inclusive, impactful community engagement and service improvement.

Decision

The Director of Adults and Health approved the contract modification for a period of 12 months plus 6 months, in accordance with Regulation 72(1) (c) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015), of the contract with Healthwatch Leeds Community Interest Company (CIC) to deliver the Provision of Local Healthwatch from 1st April 2026 for a value of approximately £374,400 per annum (£561,600 including the six month extension). 

Note that the Head of Commissioning (Older People) is responsible for the implementation of this decision which will be done in consultation with Procurement and Legal Services (PACS).