URL: https://northnorthants.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1672

Decision Maker: Executive

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: Seeking permission to enter Procurement for a digital alarm solution in the wake of National switchover from analogue to digital phonelines

Content: RESOLVED   KEY DECISION   That the Executive:   a)    Noted the risks associated with not completing the necessary work required to facilitate switchover from analogue to digital infrastructure in line with the Openreach planned deadline.   b)    Approved the preferred option, Option 2 - Procure a new fully digital system, replacing all peripheral, analogue sensors with digital equivalents with an in-house monitoring centre staffed by council staff.   c)    Approved the funding proposal as set out in this report (£1.8 million), noting the elements that will be used from Capital Housing Revenue Association (HRA) budget, and that which will be used from the Revenue budget.   d)    Noted that the service will be consulting on the current and future Housing Service charge with tenants with the intention to ensure all costs to deliver the Sheltered Alarm Service are covered. Any decisions on changes to fees and charges will be agreed in Consultation with the Executive Member for Housing and Communities in line with delegations set out in the Council’s constitution.   e)    Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Adults, Health Partnerships and housing, in consultation with the Executive Member for Housing and Communities, to conclude the procurement in line with the Council’s contract procedure rules.     Reasons for Recommendations –   ·     Seeking a digital solution will address the problem the service is currently facing with ageing technology infrastructure. ·     It will ensure people remain safe, with working alarms that allow them to maintain their independence. Not doing so will guarantee alarms will stop working when digital switchover occurs. ·     Digital solutions, as opposed to analogue hardwired solutions, reduce the number of failure points that arise from wiring, offering more affordable and manageable solutions if anything should go wrong ·     The procurement route via framework will be in line with the Council’s contract procedure rules. ·     Use of Cloud based technology, for the alarm monitoring, is a recommendation by IT, taking into account the limited resource to support with physical hardware. ·     The recommendation to update the Housing Service Charge will ensure the service remains affordable in the long-term. ·     Existing contracts for Alarm monitoring, and wider Housing out of hours call monitoring, have expired and require renewal in line with the Council’s contract procedure rules. ·     An in-house solution will yield cost efficiencies in the region of £22,000 due to consolidation of provision.     Alternative Options Considered – Option 1: Do nothing – allow the analogue system to be switched off without an alternative put in place (not recommended) Option 2: Procure a new fully digital system, replacing all peripheral, analogue sensors with digital equivalents with an in-house monitoring centre staffed by council staff. (recommended option) Option 3: Procure a new fully digital system, replacing all peripheral, analogue sensors with digital equivalents with an external monitoring centre. (not recommended) Option 4: Procure a new fully digital system, replacing all peripheral, analogue sensors with digital equivalents with the procurement process exploring both in-house and external monitoring systems to inform the final contract award. (not recommended) Option 5: Procure an analogue terminal adapter-based system that enables analogue equipment to be used as part of a digital system (not recommended)        

Date of Decision: December 19, 2024