Decision details

Purpose of Report: To seek approval to tender as part of the Handyperson Service via Adult Services commissioning with slightly altered qualification criteria and deliver £46k of savings to contribute to the overall £1.5m savings needed on the Housing Revenue Account.

The Council aims to give the same 28 days’ clear notice of non key decisions as it does for key decisions, but in exceptional circumstances this may not be possible.  In this case, the item will not have been on the forward plan for 28 days before the decision is taken, as officers have advised that approval is required to enable the re-commissioning and provision of service before April 2018.

Resolved: That option B be approved:

Procuring a grass and hedge cutting service as part of the wider Handyperson Service to deliver savings of £46,000 whilst providing a similar service for customers on benefits and those allowed on to the scheme on a discretionary basis. Develop other options for customers unable to find other means to manage their gardens in the longer term who don’t qualify.

Reason:   Consultation suggests that over half of customers receiving this service are not prepared to pay for it and this proposal delivers a similar service for most existing customers at no cost to them.