Issue - meetings

To consider the report which seeks approval to recommission the Council’s Housing Related Support Services contracts.

The Committee considered a report on the recommissioning of the Housing Related Support Contracts.

The current contracts expired on 31 March 2024. Although there was an opportunity to extend these contracts for a further year, changes had taken place in the housing related support market environment due to the challenging financial pressures.  A review had been undertaken of commissioned and non-commissioned services which had concluded that recommissioning would provide more targeted services to meet the current and future needs of the residents of Cheshire East. 

There was discussion on the provision of services and the engagement of those residents with experience of homelessness in the commissioning process. It was also asked if handy persons services was provided and if housing related support for those with learning or physical disabilities was available, and also for women experiencing homelessness.    It was reported that as part of review by Homeless Link consultation had taken place with organisations and individuals who worked with homeless people, and with people with experience of accessing housing related support in Cheshire East.  It was confirmed that a handypersons service was provided by Orbitas, and that Adult Social Care were responsible for commissioning services for people with learning or physical disabilities and also provided support for those experiencing domestic violence.

Having previously declared an interest Cllr C O’Leary took not part in the vote on the recommendations.

RESOLVED (unanimously):

That the Committee

1          approve the recommissioning of the services as outlined within this report from 1^st April 2024 using an open procurement process for an initial term of 5 years, with the option to extend for up to a further 2 years at a total contract value of £5,831,000

2          delegate authority to the Director of Growth and Enterprise to award the contracts following the procurement process in line with financial delegations.