Decision

The Authority approves the procurement of a
60-month contract agreement for the provision of a North Yorkshire
Information and Advice Service.

It is recommended that the Council undertakes an open procurement
process in accordance with The Public Contracts Regulations 2015.
The unrestricted procedure will ensure maximum competition is
guaranteed.

NYC requires a second tier Welfare Benefits, Information and
Guidance Service, to provide advice and publications, training and
information to frontline workers, including our North Yorkshire
Council Benefits and Assessment Officers. The service is required
to also provide the same service to other charitable advice
organisations, for example, Carers Resource and Housing
Associations.

The Welfare Benefits, Information and Guidance Service is the
current enabler for the Benefits, Assessments and Charging (BAC)
teams supporting their on-going success in terms of welfare
benefits maximisation for people within North Yorkshire. Without
the provision of this service or equivalent, the maximisation of
income from welfare benefits for people within North Yorkshire
would be far more difficult to achieve.

The current agreement NYC has with the incumbent provider (Welfare
Benefits Unit) is due to terminate on the 31/03/2025.