Purpose

This report seeks approval to vary the term of Liverpool City Council’s existing contract (DN485411) with Housing 21 (Industrial and Provident Societies Registration number IP16791R) which commenced on 1 August 2020 for the provision of care and support services at Brookside House Extra Care Scheme. The contract term will be varied from 1 March 2026 until 31st August 2026, and the estimated value of the proposed variation is £0.4m. This figure has been calculated pro rata for 6 months service provision.

Decision

For the reasons set out in this report, Corporate Director approval is required to:

1. Extend, by variation, the Council’s contract (DN485411) with Housing 21 (H21) for the provision of care and support services at Brookside Extra Care Scheme for a period of six months from 01 March 2026 to 31st August 2026 on the existing terms and conditions of contract, with an estimated value of £0.4m.

Alternative options considered

The Council could opt to do nothing and allow the existing contract to expire. This option was considered and rejected as it would result in the Council being required to secure services beyond 28th February 2026 under individual contracting arrangements for each occupant with either H21 or alternative care at home providers.  This option would be inefficient and would represent a significant change in service provision.

The Council could have opted to vary the existing contract to move to a ‘spot purchasing’ arrangement on the terms and pricing proposed by H21 following negotiation. This option was considered but not pursued at it would not have been in the Council’s best commercial interests.