To approve the award of a contract for the provision of an independent adults advocacy service in Herefordshire, once the exisiting contract expires.

THAT:

(a)        a contract is awarded to Onside Independent Advocacy for the provision of an independent advocacy service for adults in Herefordshire for a maximum term of four years, to a total maximum value of £780,000.

To ensure the delivery of the service and award a contract in accordance with council contract procedure rules following a competitive tender process as required by the Cabinet member’s decision on 21 February 2017. A copy of the tender evaluation report is attached as appendix 1.

Not to award. This option is not recommended as a competitive tender process has been carried out and four bid submissions were received from providers to deliver the service.  The current contract with Onside Independent Advocacy will expire on 31 July 2017 and has no further recourse to be extended. Not recommissiong the advocacy service is not recommended as this would lead to a gap in advocacy provision, resulting in the council not being compliant with the Care Act 2014 or with  responsibility for advocacy under other legislation.