A report by the Interim Director of Corporate Services sought Members’ endorsement of the decision of the Interim Director of Corporate Services to extend a number of Supporting People Contracts, which allowed for renegotiation/tendering in 2011/12, and the alignment where appropriate with the Department of Adult Social Services contracted supported-living services.

It was reported that at its meeting on 10 December 2008, the Cabinet approved the Supported and Special Needs Housing Strategy 2008/11, including a Procurement Methodology which sets out the framework for renegotiating/tendering of Supporting People Contracts.

It was noted that whilst the majority of contracts had been renegotiated or tendered within the timescales set out in the Strategy there remained a number of negotiations still to take place.  To date, the procurement exercise had realised significant savings to the Authority. The extension of the remaining contracts would allow sufficient time for the process to be concluded.  In doing so, this would achieve further efficiencies for the Council, whilst continuing to support a number of the Councils key corporate priorities and improving outcomes for the most vulnerable of Wirral residents.  As with previous negotiations, the outcomes would be reported to the Cabinet in due course.

RESOLVED:

That the decision of the Interim Director of Corporate Services to extend the Supporting People contracts for the periods set out in Appendix 1 to the report be endorsed.