The Cabinet Member Signing meeting on Tuesday 20 October 2026 approved additional expenditure and a final payment to Accora Limited for community equipment services. The meeting also noted information regarding filming at meetings.

Approval of Additional Expenditure and Final Payment to Accora Limited

Councillor Tehseen Khan, Cabinet Member for Health & Social Care, approved a variation of contract with Accora Ltd and regularised expenditure exceeding the previously approved aggregate value. This decision authorised a final payment of £163,179.94 to Accora Limited, bringing the total expenditure for short-term community equipment services to £663,178.94, which was £163,179.94 above the original approved maximum of £499,999. This payment is to settle an accrued liability for services already delivered and accepted by the Council, and does not constitute approval for any new service provision or further contractual commitment.

The decision was necessary because Accora Limited provided essential short-term community equipment services following the receivership of the previous provider, NRS Healthcare, in August 2025. This urgent intervention was crucial to ensure service continuity, supporting hospital discharges, preventing admissions, and enabling residents to remain independent at home. The service is a critical statutory provision, supporting over 36,000 equipment deliveries annually. The increased expenditure arose due to the high volume of services delivered during this emergency period, with invoices not being reconciled in real-time due to the complexity of the situation involving multiple boroughs.

The report highlighted that failing to settle the outstanding payment promptly could lead to legal action, additional costs, and reputational damage for the Council. Alternative options considered included taking no further action, which was not recommended due to the outstanding validated liability, and seeking a further delegated decision, which would have breached the Council's Standing Orders. The approved option ensures that sums properly due for services already delivered are settled. The report also noted that the additional expenditure was permissible under the Procurement Act 2023, as the circumstances were not reasonably foreseeable and the increase did not exceed 50% of the original contract value. The finance section confirmed that the outstanding liability would be met via the Disabled Facilities Grant.

The meeting also noted information regarding filming at meetings.