Decision details

To consider the selection and acceptance of tenders for Voluntary Sector providers of day services to older people, services for people with sensory disability and services to carers.

The Cabinet accepted the tenders for the provision of Day Services to older people, on the terms set out in the exempt appendix, as follows:-
(i) Age Concern Chatham
(ii) Age Concern Gillingham
(iii) Age Concern Medway
(iv) St Nicholas Day Care Centre, Strood
(v) K Ying Chinese Elderly Association - Culturally sensitive day care for older people
(vi) Welcome Day Centre - Culturally sensitive day care for older people.

The Cabinet accepted the tenders for the provision of services to carers, on the terms set out in the exempt appendix, as follows:-
(i) Crossroads Rochester
(ii) Crossroads Gillingham and Chatham
(iii) Carers' Relief Service - Support to carers for people with learning disabilities
(iv) Medway Carers' Centre - Princess Royal Trust for Carers
(v) KCHT (Homes Service).

The Cabinet accepted the tenders for the provision of services for people with a sensory disability, on the terms set out in the exempt appendix, as follows:-
(i) Kent Association for the Blind - Visual assessment, rehabilitation and equipment
(ii) Hi Kent - Hearing impairment
(iii) Royal Association for the Deaf - Sign interpreting service.

The acceptance of these tenders offer the opportunity to provide services using established and well-regarded voluntary sector organisations that have the relevant experience. The Council will be working to redefine day care to older people throughout the term of these contracts, with the full involvement of current providers.The new contracts will provide a framework that will enable the Council to closely monitor, evaluate and help these organisations develop and generally improve the quality of the services they provide.