Decision

The Cabinet Member for Social Care and Healthier Communities has decided to approve a four-year contract for the maintenance, inspection, and repair of lifting equipment for disabled residents in Southend-on-Sea.

Analysis

outcome: The decision outcome is to approve the award of the contract with a total value of £579,024 over four years, funded through the Disabled Facilities Grant and associated adaptations budgets, expected to commence in July 2026.

summary: The decision at stake is the award of a four-year contract for the maintenance, inspection, and repair of lifting equipment used within the Occupational Therapy and Community Equipment Service in Southend-on-Sea.

topline: The Cabinet Member for Social Care and Healthier Communities has decided to approve a four-year contract for the maintenance, inspection, and repair of lifting equipment for disabled residents in Southend-on-Sea.

reason_contentious: This issue is not particularly contentious as it is related to meeting statutory responsibilities for the maintenance and safety of lifting equipment provided to disabled residents.

affected_stakeholders: ["Disabled residents", "Council", "Contractors"]

contentiousness_score: 2

political_party_relevance: There are no mentions or implications of political parties or political influence on the decision.

URL: https://democracy.southend.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1566

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Social Care and Healthier Communities

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: To approve the award of a four-year contract for the maintenance, inspection and repair of lifting equipment used within the Occupational Therapy and Community Equipment Service. The decision seeks approval to award a contract with a total value of £579,024 over four years for the inspection, maintenance and repair of lifting equipment provided to disabled children and adults within Southend-on-Sea. The contract is funded through the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) and associated adaptations budgets and is expected to commence in July 2026.

Content: To approve the award of a four-year contract for the maintenance, inspection and repair of lifting equipment used within the Occupational Therapy and Community Equipment Service. The decision seeks approval to award a contract with a total value of £579,024 over four years for the inspection, maintenance and repair of lifting equipment provided to disabled children and adults within Southend-on-Sea. The contract is funded through the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) and associated adaptations budgets and is expected to commence in July 2026. The Cabinet Member for Social Care & Healthier Communities agrees to:    (1) Approve the award of a four-year contract for the maintenance, inspection and repair of lifting equipment as detailed within the accompanying Part 2 exempt Tender Acceptance Report.   (2) Authorise the Executive Director for Adults and Communities to agree all necessary contractual documentation associated with the award.   The Council has a continuing requirement for a compliant maintenance, inspection and repair service for lifting equipment provided to disabled children and adults. Awarding the contract will ensure continuity of service provision from 10 July 2026 and enable the Council to continue meeting its statutory responsibilities relating to the maintenance and safety of lifting equipment.   Failure to award the contract would expose the Council to the risk of being unable to meet its statutory duties in respect of the provision and maintenance of equipment for disabled residents under the Care Act 2014, Children Act 1989 and the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970.   The option of extending the existing contractual arrangements was considered but was not available within the terms of the current contract.   The option of delivering the service in-house was considered but discounted due to the specialist nature of the service, the requirement for appropriately qualified engineers and inspectors, and the infrastructure required to deliver a compliant maintenance and inspection service.   The option of not awarding a contract was considered and rejected as this would leave the Council unable to meet its statutory responsibilities for the inspection, maintenance and repair of lifting equipment provided to disabled children and adults and would create significant operational, safety and compliance risks.   The recommended option is to award the contract following completion of a compliant procurement process as detailed within the accompanying Part 2 exempt Tender Acceptance Report.  

Date of Decision: July 6, 2026