Decision details

To seek approval from Cabinet to award a contract / contracts for Independent Advocacy Services in Surrey

The contract(s) will be for a 3 year period with the potential to extend for a further year.

The intention is to award to the organisation(s) evaluated to be the most suitable while offering value for money to the Council through a competitive procurement process. 

RESOLVED:

That the contract be awarded to the recommended provider for three years from 1 April 2017 with an option to extend for up to one year. Details of the award and the contract value were contained in the Part 2 report, considered later in the meeting.

Reasons for Decisions:

The current contractual agreements will expire on 31 March 2017. A full tender process, in compliance with the requirement of Public Contract Regulations and Procurement Standing Orders has been completed, and the recommendations provide best value for money for the Council following a thorough evaluation process.

The newly commissioned service represents a substantial change of direction for the Council moving towards a more focussed advocacy service in Surrey.

The service will be delivered in Surrey from local bases and will provide apprenticeship opportunities to Surrey Young People whilst delivering efficiencies for the Council.

Re-focussing the way that advocacy is delivered under the new contract will allow a 50% reduction in spend, meeting the Councils need to make savings.

[The decision on this item may be called in by either the Council Overview Board or the Social Care Services Scrutiny Board]