Issue - meetings

Report CS16027

The Portfolio Holder presented a report outlining three welfare benefits advice contracts from the voluntary sector commissioned by the Local Authority which would come to an end on 31^st March 2016, and seeking approval to extend the existing contracts for a period of three months from 1^st April 2016 to 30^th June 2016 to allow providers time to prepare for forthcoming changes and for commissioners to retender the service as a single contract.

In 2013/14, the Local Authority commissioned three benefits advice contracts delivered by Age UK Bromley & Greenwich, Bromley Mencap and Broadway to assist older people, people with learning disabilities and people with mental health needs to be aware of their benefits allowance and offer practical support to maximise benefit income, reduce dependence on statutory frontline services and support independence for a period of one year whilst significant changes were made to welfare benefits.  These contracts were extended for two further one year periods to continue to provide support to these vulnerable groups whilst benefit changes were working their way through the system. 

It was recommended that the Local Authority continue to commission a benefits advice service for a further year, with the option to extend for one year, but that this service be amalgamated into one contract to realise significant efficiencies.  It was therefore proposed to extend the existing benefits advice contracts for a period of three months from 1^st April 2016 to 30^th June 2016 to allow providers time to prepare for the forthcoming changes and for commissioners to retender the service as a single contract which continued to provide specialist support to these vulnerable groups.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to:

1)  Agree to the proposed extension for a period of three months from 1^st April 2016 to 30^th June 2016 to the three existing welfare benefits advice contracts under Contract Procurement Rule 3.7; and,

2)  Agree that an integrated benefits advice service be tendered for a period of one year from 1^st July 2016 to 30^th June 2017 with the option to extend for a further year subject to the approval of the Portfolio Holder for Care Services.