Agenda item

1.  Approved the award of the contract to Handicare Accessibility Limited for the supply and installation of stairlifts funded through the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) for a period of three years plus two optional extensions of one year, subject to satisfactory performance through the ESPO Framework. The total value of this contract will be up to £1M over the potential 5-year contract term.

2.  Delegated authority to the Executive Director for People (Adults) in consultation with the Section 151 Officer and the Lead Member for Health, Social Care and Wellbeing to enter into the contract with Handicare Accessibility Limited.

The Lead Member for Adult Social Care, Mental Health & Learning Disabilities introduced a report that sought approval to award a contract for the supply and installation of stairlifts.

The Cabinet had approved a new Housing Assistance Policy (HAP) in November 2022, which followed an upheld complaint to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) regarding the provision of a stairlift. The HAP detailed the Disabled Facilities Grant options that an individual could receive and the policy fast-tracked certain types of equipment such as stairlifts. 

The contract would be for a period of three years plus two optional extensions of one year each, subject to satisfactory performance. This would be via direct award to Handicare Accessibility Limited through the Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO) Framework Agreement and would commence in January 2024. The contract would be funded through the Disabled Facilities Grant with a total contract value of up to £1m over the potential 5-year contract term.  The proposal to have a sole provider to supply and install stairlifts to improve the service and decrease waiting times would therefore ensure compliance with the key actions to address the LGSCO public interest report.

The Cabinet agreed with the proposed approach and particularly welcomed the anticipated reduction in waiting times for eligible residents from 18 months to potentially as little as 30 days.  Lead Members discussed issues such as value for money and performance monitoring and were satisfied that appropriate arrangements were in place.  The recommendations were agreed.

Resolved –

(a)  That the award of the contract to Handicare Accessibility Limited for the supply and installation of stairlifts funded through the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) for a period of three years plus two optional extensions of one year, subject to satisfactory performance through the ESPO Framework be approved. The total value of this contract would be up to £1M over the potential 5-year contract term.

(b)  That delegated authority be given to the Executive Director for People (Adults) in consultation with the Section 151 Officer and the Lead Member for Health, Social Care and Wellbeing to enter into the contract with Handicare Accessibility Limited.