Purpose

The Cabinet Member is recommended
to:
 

1.   
Authorise the delegation of authority to Cambridgeshire County
Council (CCC) to act as the lead authority in commissioning the
provision of a Real-Time Suicide Surveillance System across
Peterborough and Cambridgeshire and for the delivery of the
function, which shall include the associated transfer of funding to
CCC from the date this CMDN becomes effective for a period of three
years.  The total value is approximately
£10,000.00. 

2.   
Endorse that CCC, as the lead authority, enter into contract with
the provider for the delivery of this function.
 

Reasons for the decision

Cambridgeshire County Council are the lead for commissioning
other linked suicide prevention initiatives, and this will enable
consistency.
 
Delegating authority to Cambridgeshire County Council to act as
lead local authority in commissioning this function across
Peterborough and Cambridgeshire and for delivery of the function is
recommended on the basis of strategic and geographical
practicalities and therefore a joint procurement will be both
financially and operationally beneficial. There is synergy in
working together for delivery of this system.

Alternative options considered

For Peterborough City Council and Cambridgeshire County Council
to commission this requirement separately, however given that the
system will generally be provided within the boundaries of
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, there are clear efficiencies in
having one system across the two Local Authority areas.
 
Build an internal system rather than use a third party provider
– IT team not currently able to build system due to capacity,
would result in lengthy delays.
 
Manage data on existing internal software e.g. Microsoft Excel
– due to sensitivity of data and the need for partners to
have access through unique log-ins/password protection, this would
be a complex and inefficient process.
 
To not delegate the function, do nothing and stop collecting
data – this would significantly hinder the Council’s
ability to identify emerging trends in suicide prevention.