To approve a competitive market tender for the provision of a sensory impairment contract due to the current contract cessation on 31 January 2022.

That:

a)    approval is given to go out to tender for a five year contract to deliver a sensory impairment service to commence from 1 February 2022 upon the cessation of the current contract on  31 January 2022.

b)   The director for adults and communities is authorised to take all operational decisions necessary to implement the recommendation

1.            Directly award a contract to the current provider. This option is not recommended due to the length and value of the proposed tender, it has been advised that a full competitive tender will be required.

2.            Fund through an annual Grant in Aid payment. This option is not recommended as it would not offer the service provider stability going forward due to the award being subject to annual renewals.

3.            Bring the service in-house. This option is not recommended as the costs of providing this service, in addition to probable TUPE costs, would offer a poorer level of value for money than an outsourced solution.