Issue details

Summary

This report will seek Cabinet approval for the commencement of the procurement process for the provision of a localised Welfare Provision service from 1 July 2013.  An interim service arrangement with Caring Hands is in place for a 3 month period from 1 April 2013, to enable sufficient time for the procurement of the longer term contract.

Access to Information

The report together with any other documents being considered (unless they contain exempt information) will be available for inspection 5 clear days before the decision is taken by the Cabinet. Copies are available on the Council's website or requested from Democratic Services Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TR or email democratic.services@medway.gov.ukIf you wish to submit information to the Cabinet about the item please also contact Democratic Services.

Notice of Intention to Conduct Business in Private

This report will contain some information which the Cabinet may decide to consider in private. This is because, in the view of the Proper Officer, consideration of the information in public would give rise to the disclosure of exempt information as described in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 - information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Should you wish to make any representation for the discussion of this item to be held in public, you should contact: Democratic Services, Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TR or email democratic.services@medway.gov.uk 

It is noted that the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements)(Meetings and Access to Information)(England) Regulations 2012 requires 28 clear days’ notice of a Cabinet meeting to be held in private. On this occasion it has not been possible to provide this 28 clear days’ notice. The Chairman of the Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee has agreed, in accordance with the provisions of the 2012 Regulations, that this matter is both urgent and cannot be reasonably deferred. This is because the Council takes on the responsibility of part of the Discretionary Social fund from 1 April 2012. The interim arrangement of 3 months allows for sufficient time for the Council to procure the longer-term contract. The value of this longer-term procurement requirement is above the EU Procurement Threshold for Services of £173,934.00 and in order to procure the service for the required date of 1 July 2013, the procurement process must commence in April 2013. 

The Cabinet’s response to any representations will be published on 8 April 2013 within the Cabinet Agenda. A final decision on whether this item will be determined in private will be taken during the meeting.