Purpose

To request authority to vary and extend a contract in respect of Supported Living Services for adults with physical disabilities at Peel Road with Westminster Homecare Limited.

Decision

That the Corporate Director of Care, Health and Wellbeing:

i)             Approves the variation of the contract for Supported Living Services for adults with physical and learning disabilities at Peel Road with Westminster Homecare Limited to permit an extension of the contract.

ii)            Approves the extension of the contract for Supported Living Services for adults with physical and learning disabilities at Peel Road with Westminster Homecare Limited for a period of seven months from 30 August 2023 until 2 April 2024.

Reasons for the decision

The Council entered into a contract for Supported Living Services for adults with physical disabilities at Peel Road with Westminster Homecare Limited on 31 August 2020 for two years, with a permitted extension of one year. Officers extended the contract pursuant to its terms and the contract is due to terminate on 30 August 2023.

Officers consider that extending the contract by a further seven months will achieve best value for the Council and is reasonable in all the circumstances. The contract does not contain a provision allowing for further extensions, therefore officers seek authority to vary the contract to allow for its extension and agreement to the extension of the contract by seven months. The variation and extension does not substantially alter the conditions of the contract and overall the contract has performed well. officers do not have any concerns with the service model. Extending the contract will allow officers time to review the current service and undertake engagement with stakeholders in how services are best delivered at Peel Road. Stakeholder engagement will define the future service delivery that will be reflected in the new contract and specification when the service is re-tendered.

Alternative options considered

Officers considered whether to re-procure the service but concluded that extending the existing contract provided the most appropriate means of continuing to deliver and ensure continuity of the service at the current time. Officers will be undergoing a procurement exercise that would not be accomplished before the current term expires, so this is the most effective option.