URL: https://democracy.lbhf.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=5025

Decision Maker: Leader of the Council

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: The London Consortium Community Equipment Framework, managed by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster City Council, appointed Nottingham Rehab Services (NRS) to the framework in April 2023.   H&F is one of twenty-one Local Authorities across London who are part of the consortium agreement and ‘called off’ a contract with Nottingham Rehab Services (NRS) for the provision of services.   NRS went into insolvency on 1st August 2025. The report seeks approval to enter new contractual arrangements for the provision of this service.   Reasons for Urgency The Council’s Community Equipment Provider went into court ordered insolvency on 1st August 2025. The Council do not have the capacity or capability to deliver a like for like service in house. An urgent decision is required to allow the Council to move to a new provider and meet our statutory duties. Local authorities have a statutory duty under various legislation including the Care Act 2014, and the Children and Families Act 2014, to make arrangements for the provision of disability aids and community equipment, to meet the assessed eligible needs of individuals who are resident in their area. The provision of community equipment supports residents to remain as independent as possible for as long as possible and is both a statutory requirement and important in delivering key strategic system priorities to support hospital discharge and prevention.

Content: The London Consortium Community Equipment Framework, managed by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster City Council, appointed Nottingham Rehab Services (NRS) to the framework in April 2023.   H&F is one of twenty-one Local Authorities across London who are part of the consortium agreement and ‘called off’ a contract with Nottingham Rehab Services (NRS) for the provision of services.   NRS went into insolvency on 1st August 2025. The report seeks approval to enter new contractual arrangements for the provision of this service.   Reasons for Urgency The Council’s Community Equipment Provider went into court ordered insolvency on 1st August 2025. The Council do not have the capacity or capability to deliver a like for like service in house. An urgent decision is required to allow the Council to move to a new provider and meet our statutory duties. Local authorities have a statutory duty under various legislation including the Care Act 2014, and the Children and Families Act 2014, to make arrangements for the provision of disability aids and community equipment, to meet the assessed eligible needs of individuals who are resident in their area. The provision of community equipment supports residents to remain as independent as possible for as long as possible and is both a statutory requirement and important in delivering key strategic system priorities to support hospital discharge and prevention. The Leader approves   1.    Appendix A and B are not for publication on the basis that it contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) as set out in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).   2.    A direct award to the preferred provider for the provision of community equipment services from 19th September 2025 for two years with the option to extend by one year.   3.    To delegate further authority to the Executive Director of People’s Services in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Executive Director Finance and Corporate Services (Section 151 Officer) any subsequent decisions relating to the procurement of Community Equipment Services.   Local authorities have a statutory duty under various legislation including the Care Act 2014, and the Children and Families Act 2014, to make arrangements for the provision of disability aids and “community equipment”, to meet the assessed eligible needs of individuals who are resident in their area.   The provision of community equipment supports residents to remain as independent as possible for as long as possible and is both a statutory requirement and important in delivering key strategic system priorities to support hospital discharge and prevention.   The recommendations within this paper seek to sustain the delivery of this service, ensuring continuity of provision whilst a new service is mobilised. Please refer to the report.

Date of Decision: September 17, 2025