Issue - meetings

The Cabinet considered a report of the Principal Housing Strategy Officer which set out two options for the future procurement arrangements for the services currently provided by First Choice Homes Oldham Ltd. These services included social welfare advice and a range of statutory and non-statutory housing advice and support services for people in Oldham.

The Cabinet was informed that the Oldham Housing and Social Welfare Advice Services (OHSWAS) was procured in December 2015 and was delivered by the lead partner First Choice Homes Oldham Ltd (FCHO).  The current contract, approved by Cabinet in August 2015, was for a period of up to 7 years. After an initial 3 year period, a yearly extension could be granted, provided that the term of the contract did not exceed a total of 7 years.

The Cabinet noted that demand for all the services under this contract had created significant challenges. All of the services provided under the current contract had been subject to regular monitoring and performance review and, despite the current challenges and pressures, the contractor had performed relatively well and had delivered the desired outcomes for the people of Oldham over the period of the contract.

The Cabinet were informed that the Council was developing a new Housing Strategy and reviewing its Residential Development Prospectus. There were also a number of important pieces of work underway at Greater Manchester (GM) level, including the development of a GM Housing Strategy, Spatial Framework, Homeless Strategy, exploration of the future options of Supported Accommodation, GM Social Lettings Agency and access to social housing in the GM districts. The outcome of these work-streams and the emerging strategies would need to be reflected in the forthcoming options appraisal. It was anticipated that these strategies and, in particular, the new Housing Strategy would underpin the delivery of new redesigned service. 

It was explained that an extension to the contract would enable the Council to undertake a full review, accurately reflecting the impact of the homeless legislation, housing related supply and demand issues, challenges and pressures across other Council services, and carry out a detailed options appraisal. This would allow the Council to fully explore and evaluate a number of different delivery models which best met its strategic objectives and priorities.  

Options/Alternatives considered:

Option 1 – Extend the Housing Advice Contract for 12 months at the same terms and conditions as last year.

Option 2 – Do not extend the contract and bring the services in-house.

RESOLVED - That the Cabinet would consider the commercially sensitive information contained at Item 13 of the agenda.