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(LRCV) grant is withdrawn during the 12-month extension period due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.

 

Content

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).