URL: https://councillors.knowsley.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=7428

Decision Maker: Executive Director Resources (Stephan Van Arendsen) and Executive Director Health & Social Care (Sarah Smith)

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: The purpose of this report is to seek permission, in accordance with Contract Procedure Rule 9.2.2 (e) for an exemption from Contract Procedure Rule 7, award contracts without competition to Stairlift Specialists Limited, Stannah Lifts Limited and Pollock Limited for the continued provision of maintenance, supply and installation of personal home stair lifts and through ceiling lifts within the Borough of Knowsley.   This exemption is justified as the requirements of Contract Procedure Rule 9.2.2 (e) are met as follows:   e.       Any other exceptional circumstances.   The following circumstances are considered exceptional justifying the awarding of the contracts without competition.  There is an opportunity for a collaborative procurement exercise to be pursued with other relevant Local Authorities (Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council and Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council) which would take advantage of pooled resource and knowledge.  In order for this opportunity to be explored properly, ongoing service provision in Knowsley needs to be put in place to provide the time and space for this to happen.  The award of short-term contracts (eight months) to the proposed providers will give this time and space.  It is recognised that a collaborative procurement exercise may deliver greater value for money/ efficiency in the provision of these services in the future.  

Content: The purpose of this report is to seek permission, in accordance with Contract Procedure Rule 9.2.2 (e) for an exemption from Contract Procedure Rule 7, award contracts without competition to Stairlift Specialists Limited, Stannah Lifts Limited and Pollock Limited for the continued provision of maintenance, supply and installation of personal home stair lifts and through ceiling lifts within the Borough of Knowsley.   This exemption is justified as the requirements of Contract Procedure Rule 9.2.2 (e) are met as follows:   e.       Any other exceptional circumstances.   The following circumstances are considered exceptional justifying the awarding of the contracts without competition.  There is an opportunity for a collaborative procurement exercise to be pursued with other relevant Local Authorities (Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council and Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council) which would take advantage of pooled resource and knowledge.  In order for this opportunity to be explored properly, ongoing service provision in Knowsley needs to be put in place to provide the time and space for this to happen.  The award of short-term contracts (eight months) to the proposed providers will give this time and space.  It is recognised that a collaborative procurement exercise may deliver greater value for money/ efficiency in the provision of these services in the future.   By Executive Director (Resources):   (i)       That an exemption from Contract Procedure Rule 7 be approved, in accordance with Contract Procedure Rule 9.2.2 (e), to permit the award of contracts without competition, for the provision of maintenance, supply and installation of personal home stair lifts and through ceiling lifts within the Borough of Knowsley.   By Executive Director (Health and Social Care):   (ii)            That contracts be awarded without competition to; Stairlift Specialists Limited, Stannah Lifts Limited and Pollock Limited for the provision of maintenance, supply and installation of personal home stair lifts and through ceiling lifts within the borough of Knowsley from 1 July 2025 to 28 February 2026.   (iii)          That the Procurement Team be authorised to make the necessary arrangements for the issue of the relevant contract documentation.   Do Nothing: This option was considered and rejected because the continuation of the services supplied complies with the local authority’s mandatory duty under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996. The continuation of works through contracted suppliers will ensure residents’ assessed needs are met and they are able to remain living independently in their own homes.   Deliver in-house:  This option was considered and rejected because the requirement cannot be undertaken within Council resources, due to the skills, expertise required to deliver these services.      Seek competition (without collaboration): This option to seek a competition for Knowsley Local Authority alone was considered and rejected, following advice from STAR Procurement that a collaboration would be the best option to pool resources and knowledge from other Local Authorities wishing to work together.  In addition to potentially have more bargaining power in the market if a supplier of lift maintenance and installation wishes to bid on multiple Local Authority opportunities to deliver these services.  

Date of Decision: June 25, 2025