Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to a report of the Managing Director Community Health and Social Care, which sought approval to award a framework contract for the provision of adaptations to domestic properties where residents have disabilities and require an adaption to their home.

Members were advised that the suppliers in the framework would provide adaptations under a Disabled Grant arrangements. The grant helps towards the cost of adapting a person’s home to enable the occupant to continue to live as independently as possible. The adaptations delivered from the framework were mainly installing level access showers and showers over baths.

The framework would operate differently than previously procured frameworks. It would be awarded to six contractors who would allocated work on a rota basis, with prices defined via a fixed pricing schedule issued in the tender documents. It was anticipated that this would ensure greater stability of provision.

Members were advised that the preferred contractors were based within a five mile radius of the Borough.

Options/alternatives

Option 1 – Allow the contract to expire and cease provision. This was not the preferred option as the legislative framework governing Disabled Facilities Grants places a statutory duty on the Council to approve an ‘eligible application’. This must be available to qualify.

Option 2 – To award the tender for a revised framework contract. This was the preferred option to ensure the Council can meet its statutory duty to approve the grant applications to those residents who require adaptations to remain living independently.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet would consider the commercially sensitive information contained at Item 13 of the agenda before making a decision.