Issue - meetings

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health Integration introduced a report on a contract for the provision of a new community equipment service, which the Council had a statutory duty to provide.

The current contract to provide the service with Medequip was due to end on 31 March 2023.  The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) had led on the retender of the new service for provision from 1 April 2023 onwards; however, that procurement was subject to a legal claim which triggered an automatic suspension preventing RBKC from entering into a contract with the successful bidder.

As a consequence, the Council had sought alternate provision to ensure continuity of service for vulnerable residents and resilience for the health and social care system.  Having considered the options available and given the background context and associated time constraints, a Direct Award to Medequip via Framework Agreement Y21006 let by KCS Procurement Services was considered the most appropriate course of action.

Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Agree that the Council proceeds with the direct award of a four-year contract, with the option to extend for a further two years, to Medequip via the KCS Framework Agreement Y2100 for a new Community Equipment service, in accordance with the strategy set out in the report; and

(ii)  Authorise the Strategic Director, Children and Adults, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health Integration, the Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care and Disabilities and the Chief Legal Officer, to award and enter into the contract and all other necessary or ancillary agreements, including extension options, with the chosen supplier.