Issue - meetings

To consider a report on Avantage and the Authorities’ different interpretations of the PFI contract on Bank Holiday working and recommends a compromise to resolve the situation

Consideration was given to a report on Avantage and the Authorities’ different interpretations of the PFI contract on Bank Holiday working.

It had come to light that the Helpdesk and associated staff in the PFI Extra Care Housing Schemes had not been working on Bank Holidays.  Avantage believed that there was no requirement in the contract for the Helpdesks to be staffed, whilst the Authorities believed that the contract was clear that staff should be in place. 

A temporary arrangement had been put in place since Christmas 2009 whilst discussions about the contract were held so that no scheme was without a helpdesk for more than 2 consecutive days. 

The discussions had now resulted in stalemate between Avantage and the Authorities.  There were two options on the table: - to accept and move forward with the interim arrangements or invoke formal dispute procedures.

The preferred option was to accept the temporary arrangements and amend the contract to ensure that the level of service was maintained as the formal dispute resolution process was both lengthy and expensive.

RESOLVED:

That the interim arrangements for Bank Holidays be approved and Officers be authorised to make a contract amendment to ensure that the arrangements continued.