55 Procurement of Handyperson & Affordable Warmth Assistance service
To receive and consider the report of the Director of Communities (enclosed).
Decision:
1. That Executive Cabinet approve the proposed arrangements for the procurement of the Handyperson and Affordable Warmth Service.
2. That Executive Cabinet approve the proposed assessment methodology and evaluation criteria outlined in this report: 65% Quality weighting and 35% Pricing weighting.
3. That Executive Cabinet approve the proposal to apply Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 11/20, published in December 2020 and effective from 1st January 2021, which allows Local Authorities to reserve this procurement for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs).
4. That approval for the contract award decision is to be delegated to the Executive Member (Homes and Housing) once a preferred Service Provider has been identified following a tendering exercise to be conducted by means of ‘The Chest’ procurement portal.
Minutes:
Councillor Peter Gabbott, Executive Member (Homes and Housing) presented the confidential report of the Director of Communities which outlines the proposed arrangements for the procurement of the Handyperson and Affordable Warmth Assistance service, to ensure that a new contract to deliver the service commences on 1 April 2022, and seeks Executive Cabinet approval to delegate the decision to appoint a Service Provider, following a procurement exercise, to the Executive Member (Homes and Housing).
Decision:
1. That Executive Cabinet approve the proposed arrangements for the procurement of the Handyperson and Affordable Warmth Service.
2. That Executive Cabinet approve the proposed assessment methodology and evaluation criteria outlined in this report: 65% Quality weighting and 35% Pricing weighting.
3. That Executive Cabinet approve the proposal to apply Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 11/20, published in December 2020 and effective from 1st January 2021, which allows Local Authorities to reserve this procurement for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs).
4. That approval for the contract award decision is to be delegated to the Executive Member (Homes and Housing) once a preferred Service Provider has been identified following a tendering exercise to be conducted by means of ‘The Chest’ procurement portal.
Reasons for recommendation(s):
1. At the meeting on 17th June 2021, Executive Cabinet gave in-principle approval to allow a procurement exercise during the current financial year, in order to appoint a Service Provider to deliver the Handyperson and Affordable Warmth Assistance service, on an initial two year contract, from 1st April 2022, with an option to extend for a further year. Therefore, the recommendation in this report is consistent with the previously agreed course of action.
2. The retention of Handyperson and Affordable Warmth Services will enable the Council to continue to offer a broad range of appropriate assistance to Chorley residents.
3. Longer term funding commitment will enable consistency in terms of service planning and service delivery as well as being a more attractive proposition for potential Service Providers, thereby making it more likely to create competition in the market.
Alternative options considered and rejected:
Alternative options were presented to Members in the 16th June Executive Cabinet report, including ending the funding of the service, but it was recognised that the service is valuable to customers and is an important part of the overall ‘offering’ from the Council’s Home Improvement Agency.