The purpose of the report is to seek approval from the Director of Care and Health in respect of the Wirral Advocacy Hub following the undertaking of a procurement exercise.

Provider information is detailed at Appendix 1 (exempt).  This information is commercially sensitive and is restricted by virtue of paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

This matter affects all wards within the Borough as the services cover all residents in Wirral.

Resolved (8:1) (2 abstentions) – That:

1.  authorisation be given to the Director of Care and Health to proceed with the procurement for:

·  Mobile Night Service (5-year contract)

·  Beach Accessible wheelchairs (2-year contract)

·  Early Intervention and Prevention services (3-year contract)

·  Wirral Advocacy Hub (3-year contract)

·  Cardigan House (2-year contract)

2.  Delegated authority be given to the Director of Care and Health to award the tender to the successful bidders following the tender process.

These are current services that require either a review, a re-tender, or an award and financial approval is required. Beach Accessible wheelchairs is a new service offer, funding will be provided from the Adult Social Care Budget.

Officers intend to procure the care provision where possible from the established Liverpool City Region (LCR) Flexible Purchasing System, as per current regional agreements. This allows a wider choice of providers as the framework has recently been extended to attract service providers.

Officers could have chosen to do a standalone procurement exercise or to tender from the Wirral only Care and Support Framework for mobile nights.