Issue - meetings

Matter for Decision:

In preparation for the end of an existing contract, permission is sought to enter into a competitive process, awarding a contract to secure a supplier for the continued provision of a housing rent and service charge collection service from 25th January 2013.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Housing:

Delegated authority to the Director of Customer & Community Services to determine the most appropriate procurement route, to invite competitive tenders (or undertake a mini competition from an existing framework) in accordance with the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules and thereafter to award a three-year contract (with a one plus one year extension at the Council’s option) for the provision of an external cash collection service for payment of rent and service charges.

Reason for the Decision:

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations:

The Committee received a report from the Housing Finance & Business Manager regarding the tender for off-site housing cash collection services.

In response to Members’ questions the Director of Customer & Community Services plus Housing Finance & Business Manager confirmed the following:

(i)                As part of the tender process, service providers would be asked to provide alternative venues to Post Offices for off-site housing cash collection services. Suppliers may not be able to provide like for like collection services, but would be obliged to provide outlets they undertake to make available as part of the tender process.

(ii)              Service providers would be asked to make credit card and credit union payment facilities available. Debit card, credit card and direct debit payments did not make up the majority of payment methods currently, but there maybe greater take up when the collection service contract changes.

The Committee resolved unanimously to endorse the recommendation.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.

Conflicts of interest declared by the Executive Councillor (and any dispensations granted)

Not applicable.