Decision

For the reasons set out in this
report, the Corporate Director has decided to extend the
Council’s contract with Comfort Call Ltd (company
registration number 05763279) for the provision of Care at
Night Home Care services for a period of six months (DN633031) from
01 December 2025 to 31 May 2026 on the existing terms and
conditions of the contract.

Alternative options considered

The Council could choose to allow the contract
to end and not put in place arrangements to secure future supply.
This option was not recommended as it would have resulted in the
cessation of ongoing services commissioned by the Council to meet
Care Act assessed needs. These services support people to remain
living at home, preventing admission to residential care. Ending of
the services would also limit the ability of the Council to
commission services to support hospital discharge.
 
The Council could have opted to re-procure the
contract. This option was considered but not pursued as the future
model is being considered as part of the wider Care at Home
procurement.
 
The Council could choose to extend the
contract for a period of up to 16 months. The option of extending
for more than six months at this point in
time was not recommended as it would have limited the
Council’s ability to consider different options to meet needs
for the supply of these services within its future care and support
at home commissioning model.