The Health and Adult Services - Executive Members & Corporate Director Meeting is scheduled to discuss the extension of a partnership agreement for sexual health services. The meeting will focus on a Section 75 agreement with York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust. Also scheduled is the setting of the date for the next meeting.

Section 75 Sexual Health Service

The main item for discussion is the potential extension of the Section 75 (S75) Partnership Agreement between North Yorkshire Council (NYC) and York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust (YSTHFT). This agreement, established on 1 April 2022, is for the delivery of specialist sexual health services across the county. The initial term of the agreement is four years, and the report pack indicates that discussions about a possible extension are now due to take place.

The report pack states that the Health and Adult Services Leadership Team (HASLT) has already approved that NYC should consider utilising the first extension available, for a further four years, at the same value. This is reportedly based on the condition that:

the services provided by the Trust meets performance measures, can demonstrate high quality provision, operate within the budget, has provided savings, and continues to develop to meet the needs of the North Yorkshire population.

The proposed extension includes a maximum 2.5% year-on-year uplift to the existing block contract arrangement. According to the report pack, the Public Health Manager and Head of Finance have been working with the Trust to ensure the budget provides value for money to the council.

The report pack notes that sexual and reproductive health is not just about preventing disease or infection, but also about promoting good sexual health in a wider context, including relationships, sexuality, and sexual rights. It also notes that local authorities have been mandated since 1 April 2013 to ensure that comprehensive, open access, confidential sexual health services are available to all people in their area, as stipulated in The Local Authorities (Public Health Functions and Entry to Premises by Local Healthwatch Representatives) Regulations 2013. The S75 agreement is overseen by a joint Partnership Board chaired by Louise Wallace, Director of Public Health.

The report pack states that the existing provider is experienced and has established a high quality, well-regarded integrated sexual health service across North Yorkshire. It also says that the provider is performing to expectations, delivering the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) within the contract, and working closely with the council to address any areas of concern that may arise. The current service is reportedly being delivered within the agreed budget.

The report pack considers an alternative option to extending the existing contract, which would be to undertake a full procurement exercise. However, this is not the preferred option, given that there is a realistic option for extension of the current contract, which has a good track record of performance and is well-embedded in terms of partnership working and local delivery.

The current annual service cost is £2,987,450 (£11,949,800 over 4 years). With the 2.5% increase, the annual service cost paid by NYC will increase to £3,064,747 in year 5, rising to £3,308,426 in year 8 (£12,742,335 over 4 years).

The report pack notes that the extension is permissible under the S75 Agreement, and Regulation 72 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

The report pack states that the proposal supports the council's priorities, including:

• Longer, healthier, independent lives (2022-25) Health and Adult Services Plan
• Opportunities for everyone, everywhere
• My time and experiences are valued

It also fits with the Council Plan 2025-2029 ambition of ensuring the people of North Yorkshire are safe, healthy, and living well, as well as the North Yorkshire Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2023-2030.

The report pack notes a risk management implication: the NHS Agenda for Change¹ pay award for 2025/26 was 3.6% and is unknown for future years, therefore pay costs cannot be accurately predicted. If the pay award is more than 2.5%, there will likely be an increased cost pressure and this will be addressed through continuing dialogue with the provider.

The report pack also notes that, given the increasing demand being placed on sexual health services, the increasing prevalence of sexually transmitted infections and termination of pregnancies, there is a risk to public health if service provision is reduced.

The recommendation to Richard Webb, Corporate Director of Health and Adult Services (HAS) in consultation with Councillor Michael Harrison, Executive Member for Health and Adult Services, is that the Director of Public Health approves the extension of the S75 partnership agreement with York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust, for the delivery for specialist sexual health services across the county from April 2026.

Date of Next Meeting

The date of the next meeting is scheduled to be set for 14 November 2025 at 13:30.