The Strategic Housing Services Senior Manager introduced a report that sought approval to commence a procurement exercise to secure a contract for a range of lifting and other equipment to enable disabled and vulnerable residents to remain living independently in their homes. This would be a 5-year contract with an estimated value of £6.2m.

The report noted that the Council had a statutory duty to deliver Disabled Facilities Grants and over several years had delivered this assistance and also developed discretionary assistance to enable adults and children to remain living at home.

The existing contract for lifting solutions had been in place since 1^st July 2018 and would cease on 31^st May 2022. The Council had the option to extend this contract for 6 months to allow sufficient time to review contract options and re-tender which would require a minimum of 3-6 months.

Members asked questions on alternative options considered and using multiple contractors.

Resolved – That:

1.  The Director of Regeneration and Place be authorised to extend the current contract for lifting solutions and other equipment to enable disabled and vulnerable residents within Wirral to live independently within their homes (“the Services”) for a further 6 months from the current expiry date of 31 May 2022; and

2.  The proposed procurement process and strategy for the appointment of a tenderer to carry out the Services as set out at paragraph 3.7 of the report be approved; and

3.  Delegated authority be given to the Director of Regeneration and Place to award the contract for the Services within approved budget and to the highest scoring tenderer and in accordance with the Most Economically Advantageous Tender criteria.