Decision

The Executive Director Resources and Interim Assistant Executive Director Adult Social Care have decided to directly award contracts for sheltered accommodation to selected providers, bypassing the usual competitive process.

Analysis

outcome: The recommendations were approved, allowing contracts to be awarded without competition to Huyton Community Co-operative, LIVV Housing, and ForHousing for the provision of sheltered accommodation.

summary: The decision involves waiving standard contract procedures to directly award contracts for sheltered accommodation to specified providers without competition, due to the unique integration of support services with housing management.

topline: The Executive Director Resources and Interim Assistant Executive Director Adult Social Care have decided to directly award contracts for sheltered accommodation to selected providers, bypassing the usual competitive process.

reason_contentious: The issue may be contentious due to the waiving of standard competitive procedures, which could raise concerns about transparency and fairness among other potential providers and local stakeholders.

affected_stakeholders: Providers of sheltered accommodation, current and future residents of sheltered accommodation, other potential service providers, and local taxpayers.

contentiousness_score: 5

political_party_relevance: There is no direct mention of political parties or political influence on the decision within the provided text.

URL: https://councillors.knowsley.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=6264

Decision Maker: Executive Director Resources (James Duncan) & Interim Assistant Executive Director Adult Social Care (Paul Dalby)

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: The purpose of this report is to seek approval, in accordance with Contract Procedure Rule 12.1.4 and 12.1.5(d), to waive Contract Procedure Rule 8, and award contracts without competition to Providers of Sheltered Accommodation. The reasons for the decision are, as required by Contract Procedure Rule 12.1.4 and 12.1.5(d). (d): The Senior Officer can demonstrate that no genuine competition can be obtained in respect of the requirements (e.g. repairs and parts).

Content: The purpose of this report is to seek approval, in accordance with Contract Procedure Rule 12.1.4 and 12.1.5(d), to waive Contract Procedure Rule 8, and award contracts without competition to Providers of Sheltered Accommodation. The reasons for the decision are, as required by Contract Procedure Rule 12.1.4 and 12.1.5(d). (d): The Senior Officer can demonstrate that no genuine competition can be obtained in respect of the requirements (e.g. repairs and parts). By Executive Director (Resources): (i)  That Contract Procedure Rule 8 be waived, in accordance with Contract Procedure Rules 12.1.4 and 12.1.5(d), to permit the award of contracts without competition to Providers of Sheltered Accommodation.   By Interim Assistant Executive Director (Adult Social Care): (ii) That contracts be awarded without competition to the providers listed below for the provision of sheltered accommodation from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. Huyton Community Co-operative LIVV Housing ForHousing   (iii) That the Procurement / Legal 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 current contracts for these services will end on 31 March 2024. Without a contract to replace the existing services this will leave many households without support which could mean that they struggle to continue to live independently and therefore require more intensive, and expensive, adult social care services. Deliver in house: This option was considered and rejected because the type of support provided integrated into the landlords’ housing management offer. To disaggregate the service from the housing management offer would impact its effectiveness. The Council also does not have all the skills needed to provide this service or enough capacity to do it. Seek Competition (Tender): This option was considered and rejected because the type of support provided integrated into the landlords’ housing management offer. To disaggregate the service from the housing management offer would impact its effectiveness and is unattractive for other providers to deliver this service in a different landlord's accommodation.

Date of Decision: March 28, 2024