Covid-19 Town Centre Steward Cover

Concepts

• shefford
• miscellaneous health services
• central bedfordshire
• covid-19 town centre steward cover
• covid-19 infection rates
• week covid-19 steward cover
• covid-19 emergency response
• central government covid rules
• use of such stewards
• highest tier of covid-19 restrictions

Location

SHEFFORD

Description

To provide 7 day a week Covid-19 Steward cover from 09.00 to 21.00 hours in 8 Town Centre areas in Central Bedfordshire. This service provision is a Covid-19 emergency response to support the Council's Tier 4 response to reducing increasing COVID-19 infection rates across Central Bedfordshire.

Total Quantity or Scope

On 17 December Central Bedfordshire was placed in the highest tier of Covid-19 restrictions. Covid-19 infection rates in Central Bedfordshire were increasing at a high rate across all ages despite the national lockdown in November 2020 and existing social distancing measures. Infection rates are continuing to increase, and additional measures are needed immediately to ensure the public are advised and guided to reduce contact with others and to follow central government covid rules and regulations with a view to stabilising and ultimately reducing infection and death rates in Central Bedfordshire and reduce the capacity pressures that increasing infection rates are having on the NHS. Whilst Council officers provide advice and guidance to the public there is a need to provide an additional presence to support that message directly. Central government have advocated the use of such stewards in the following guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-local-authority-compliance-a... This sets out that COVID-19 secure marshals, or their equivalents are to: • promote social distancing and encourage public compliance with COVID-19 public health measures • educate and explain COVID-19 Secure guidelines in the public realm and for business premises • identify and support businesses and premises not following guidelines, escalating as appropriate • These objectives will support businesses and the public, increasing understanding of COVID-19 public health measures, such as social distancing, wearing face coverings in appropriate settings and hand washing. The Council does not have the resources available to provide the additional visible presence needed for Covid-19 Stewards. As such funding provided by central government to support the control of Covid-19 will be used to employ the stewards.

Award Detail

Renewal Options

Contract is for 12 weeks service provision with potential further 3 months subject to funding and mass vaccination progress.

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 85140000 - Miscellaneous health services

Indicators

• Options are available.
• Award on basis of price.

Legal Justification

This provision is an emergency response to the inclusion of Central Bedfordshire in Tier 4 of Covid-19 restrictions by Central Government on 17 December 2020. CYS is an existing Council contractor and can provide the services required at extreme short notice.