Purpose

The purpose of this report is to obtain
approval to tender for a works contract to private sector housing
for:
•the design, supply, installation, and servicing of Through
Floor Lifts and Step lifts
•the design, supply, installation, servicing, and recycling of
stairlifts.
The aim is to procure a sole supplier for each type of equipment
countywide, to ensure consistency and speed of delivery. At present
individual work orders are undertaken for each purchase and a wide
variety of products are being installed preventing any recycling of
stairlifts.
Due to the aggregate value of the works for each type of equipment
being supplied and installed across the area, a longer-term
contract is required. In respect of the stairlift lot, this would
then progress to the development of recycling of this equipment
subject to the appointed supplier successfully delivering on the
design, supply, installation and servicing countywide.
The annual budget allowance for this contract is approximately
£750,000.00 in total and this will be funded from the
Disabled Facilities Grant budget.
The contract will be an initial 2 years with the possibility of an
extension for a further 2 years.
If the contract was extended to run for the full 4 years, then the
value would be £3 million plus an additional vat amount due
to the recycling element of the stairlifts.

Decision

To approve the commencement of the procurement
and award contracts for stairlifts and through-floor lifts,
appointing one provider for each lot.

Reasons for the decision

The procurement will appoint one provider for
each lot: one for stairlifts and one for through-floor lifts. This
approach will eliminate service fragmentation, strengthen
resilience, and deliver improved outcomes for residents. It is
sustainable, fully compliant, and aligned with the Council’s
strategic priorities.

Alternative options considered

Maintaining the status quo was not considered
viable, as the Council has a statutory obligation to deliver
adaptations for residents and must comply with procurement
regulations. The option of appointing multiple providers was
explored but rejected due to the complexity it would introduce, the
increased administrative burden, and the heightened risk of
inconsistent standards across installations and ongoing
maintenance. Similarly, using a framework call-off was dismissed
because of the limited availability of suitable frameworks for this
specialist requirement, which would likely reduce competition and
result in higher costs.