Decision details

The Cabinet Member approved the following.

Authorised the continued delegation of authority to Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) to act as lead local authority in commissioning the COVID-19 Urgent and Surge Community Swabbing Service across Peterborough and Cambridgeshire and for delivery of the function of the service, which shall include the associated transfer of funding to CCC from 1 November 2020 until 17 July 2021.  CCC shall enter into contract with the supplier for the delivery of this service.

To ensure that the local testing service provides a swift response that is accessible to the local population (defining how to prioritise and manage deployment) and the ability of the local testing system to be able to respond swiftly once a complex cluster or setting has been identified through the national NHS Test and Trace initiative or through any other national or local stakeholders; e.g. East of England PHE Centre.

The continued delegating of authority to CCC to act as lead local authority in commissioning the COVID-19 Urgent and Surge Community Swabbing Service across Peterborough and Cambridgeshire and for delivery of the function of the service 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 given that the service will generally be within the boundaries of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Local Authority areas.  The service will need to be able to swab in any community setting or workplace (e.g. schools, early years, factories,  homeless accommodation) as national and local guidance on COVID-19 changes with time and where potential outbreaks could occur (including arranging swabbing at an individual’s home).

For CCC and PCC to commission this service separately, however given that the service will generally be provided within the boundaries of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Local Authority areas there are clear efficiencies  in having one service across the two Local authority areas.

None.

None.