The Director of Finance has decided to award a contract with a term of 12 months to the Furniture Resource Centre Ltd in respect of the provision of emergency support by way of furniture and white goods provision by way of a direct award through the Procurement for Housing Framework Lot 1 to a value of £200,000

The Furniture Resource Centre Ltd is able to equally offer both value for money and quality in their provision, of unused goods, together with an assured delivery and instalment service (where appropriate).

This decision primarily supports the continued delivery of the authority's Emergency Financial Support' scheme. The scheme supports Wirral residents facing crisis, or other (financial hardship and is application based.

Recycled White Goods and furniture have previously been considered as an alternative prison. They would fail to sufficiently meet the specified need and appropriate levels of assurance.

Any alternative in meeting this need would be 'payment' based and again is not feasible.

There is not an alternative option to end the provision, whilst the scheme continues to operate and the service user need remains evident