Agenda item

Procurement and financial update (Cen.12.03.2018/3)

Minutes:

The item was briefly introduced by the Chair, before handing to Graham Harris to provide an update on the work of Royal Voluntary Service (RVS).  A number of key achievements over the past 6 months were mentioned: 245 service users had engaged with the service; 1,180 home visits had taken place and 160 befriending calls had been made.  Over 200 transport solutions had been arranged, and 84 people had been introduced to using new technology.  Members heard how 19 new volunteers had been engaged, and 4 more were part way through the volunteer recruitment and induction process.

 

Within the first 6 months of the contract, 10 users aged 50-60 had been engaged, though this was expected to increase as awareness of the ability of the contractor to engage with this age group improved.

 

Of the 245 users engaged, 37 were aged 61-70 and 198 were aged over 70.  Users were primarily women.  It was noted that 30 referrals had been made through My Best Life.  The Christmas party held at Priory Campus had been a great success, with 56 hampers distributed and 86 people attending.   Members also heard that a steering group had been convened, with representatives from the Council, My Best Life, volunteers, and service users.

 

A number of case studies were referred to. These highlighted the demand for the service, the varied support given and the impact on the service users. Members praised the project and the support given to individuals.  It was agreed that the Area Council Manager circulates statistics related to the service broken down by ward.

 

A question was raised as to whether RVS had established any new groups.  It was noted that RVS would try to refer to existing groups where possible to ensure their sustainability, but would help to establish new ones if the need arose.

 

The meeting then discussed the contract with RVS and were supportive of its extension for a further year.

 

The Area Council Manager then spoke to the report previously circulated.  The attention of Members was drawn to the table which gave details of the current situation of every contract.

 

Members were reminded of their previous decision to extend the contract with Twiggs Grounds Maintenance for a further 6 months, pending the outcome of the review of Neighbourhood Services within the Council.  Since this decision, it had become apparent that this would now not be long enough, and therefore it was recommended that this be extended for a further 3 months.

 

Members were reminded of the previous decision to extend the service level agreement (SLA) to provide enforcement and support, focused on private sector housing in the area.  As officers had moved to take up permanent roles within the Council’s core service, the extension would no longer be deliverable.    It was noted any existing open cases would be dealt with by the core team.

 

The Central Area Council Manager drew attention to a proposal for a revised SLA with the Safer Neighbourhood Service to provide support and enforcement within private rented sector housing.  Building on the success of the previous SLA, this would focus on early intervention with new tenants, supporting them and making them aware of their responsibilities and those of their landlord.  It was proposed to employ an officer, and provide finance to compile a pack of accessible information to assist.  It was hoped this service would complement the work of the core team and of the forthcoming selective licencing scheme, and that early intervention would reduce more intensive demand later on.

 

Questions were raised about how areas or households would be identified. Members heard how positive relationships had already been developed with residents and landlords in a number of areas, and this would help to identify new tenants, but that there were also a number of ways in which hotspots could be identified.

 

A suggestion was made regarding the support and enforcement activity undertaken by Berneslai Homes in relation to their properties, and it was suggested that this could be an area for future consideration by the Area Council.

 

Members were reminded of the previous decision to extend the Youth Resilience Fund projects in order that they continued to deliver throughout the summer months.  Members noted the final cost of this which was £10,676.

 

The Area Council Manager drew attention to part 8 of the report, and in light of the Ward Alliances within the area allocating their Ward Alliance Fund effectively; Members were asked to consider whether they supported devolving finance from the Area Council to each Ward Alliance for use in 2018/19. All were in support.

 

The attention of Members was then drawn to appendix 2, which provided an overview of the financial position of the Area Council.  It was expected that approximately £76,000 would be carried forward to 2018/19, which together with anticipated income from Fixed Penalty Notices would leave around £600,000 for allocation.

 

However, when taking into account expenditure planned, an amount of around £113,000 would remain for allocation in 2018/19.

 

RESOLVED:-

(i)            That thanks be given to Graham Harris for his presentation, and that the Area Council Manager circulates a breakdown of user statistics by ward for the service provided by RVS:

(ii)          That the overview of Central Area Council’s current contracts, contract extensions, and associated timescales, including the update on the Youth Resilience Fund extensions and associated costs be noted;

(iii)         That the Executive Director Communities be authorised to complete the necessary paperwork in order to waive the necessary paperwork in order to waive the relevant contract procedure rules to extend the Twiggs Clean and Green contract for 3 months, to 31st December, 2018, at an additional cost of £21,250;

(iv)         That the contract with RVS to ‘reduce loneliness and isolation in adults and older people aged 50+’ continue for a further year (1st July, 2018 to 30th June, 2019) at a cost of £100,000;

(v)          In the light of the review of Private Rented Sector Housing Management and Enforcement, a revised Service Level Agreement  be agreed for 1 year, with an option to extend for a further year, at a cost of £37,000 per annum, to provide an officer and associated costs;

(vi)         That, subject to the same budget being available to the Area Council, £10,000 per ward be devolved to each of the Ward Alliance Funds for 2018/19 to be utilised as per previously agreed process;

(vii)       That the current and projected financial position of the Area Council be noted.

Supporting documents:

 

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