Agenda and minutes

            The Minutes of the meeting held on 20^th March 2008 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

            The Sub-Committee was advised that in order to overcome previously identified capacity issues, budget provision had been made to appoint, temporarily, an officer to deal with the applications in connection with the Mersey Gateway Scheme.

 

            Although traditional recruitment processes were followed, no appointment was made due to a lack of suitable candidates. Furthermore, it was recognised that the appointment of an officer, with the required level of experience would not be possible by the time the Transport & Works Act application (the principal application for the Gateway) was submitted to the planning authority for consideration.

 

            Due to the extremely tight timescales and urgent need to have an experienced officer available and in place to process these applications, a decision to recruit a temporary consultant from Urban Vision Partnerships was made. Prior to appointing Urban Vision several other agencies were contacted to ascertain whether it would be possible to recruit via a tender process. In practice not all agencies could provide an officer with the level of experience required, nor could they do so at a competitive rate.

 

            A fixed fee of £16,000 had been agreed with Urban Vision Partnership Limited which represented very good value for money. It was still hoped that the appointment of an appropriately skilled officer could be made later in the year, to assist with the next stage of the application/inquiry process.

 

            RESOLVED: That the actions taken by the Strategic Director – Environment, to appoint Urban Vision Partnership Limited be approved.

            The Sub-Committee was advised of four tenders received for the award of the Silver Jubilee Bridge, Runcorn Spandrel (Y5 to L4) – preparation and repainting of steelwork contract.

 

            The lowest tender was submitted by Roy Hankinson Limited for the sum of £1,066,221.35. Following a detailed review of the returned tenders and the satisfactory completion of a pre-contract meeting the contract had been let to Roy Hankinson Limited.

 

            RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

            The Sub-Committee considered a request to waive Procurement Standing Orders 3.1 to 3.8 to expand a Supported Living Contract. The provision of suitable accommodation for people with mental health problems in Halton had been a local priority for development for some time and had been included as one of the key targets for the Halton Supporting People Programme.

 

            Of equal importance was the range of needs that the accommodation meets. Currently only eight of the units catered for people with the more complex conditions, and none of the units were set up specifically as ‘move on’ accommodation.

 

            One supported scheme had been successfully developed in Pickerings Close in Runcorn. This accommodated two people with more severe mental health conditions in a house in which they were tenants, but with 24-hour support for resident staff. This scheme had now been open for over 2 years and both current residents had now improved so much that they were ready to live more independently.

 

            The Scheme at Pickerings Close was managed, following a detailed tendering process, by an organisation called Creative Support. Creative Support had worked positively with both the Council and the local community, and the successful outcomes for the two residents at this address demonstrated their commitment to achieving greater social inclusion for the people they work with.

 

            It was reported that Creative Support had worked with the Council to develop a new scheme in Widnes, as an extension to its Pickerings Close Scheme. Four new build semi-detached houses had been purchased by Creative Support in Liverpool Road, Widnes, each of which were ready to move into. Each house could take two tenants, who it was proposed would be supported by staff at a level which suited their needs. It was proposed that this would be funded at an hourly rate of support, tailored to the needs of each individual in the scheme. The funding proposals would allow around 28 hours of direct support per person per week. There was likely to be a substantial cost saving to the authority arising from this scheme.

 

            The revenue cost for housing related support within this scheme could be met within the Supporting People Budget.

 

            RESOLVED: That

 

(1)       in the exceptional circumstances set out in the report, for the purpose of Standing Order 1.6, Procurement Standing Orders 3.1 – 3.8 be waived on this occasion on the basis that the market was tested two years ago to secure the current provider who offers value for money and is performing well in meeting the needs of service users with severe and ensuring mental health problems; and

 

(2)            delegated powers be approved to enable the Strategic Director, Health and Community in conjunction with the Portfolio holder for Community, to expand an existing two year contract with Creative Support, for the provision of Supported Living Services to include the new services referenced in the report.

            The Sub-Committee considered a report which reviewed activities undertaken on the money market as required by the Treasury Management policy for the 4^th Quarter 2007/08.

 

            It was noted that all policy guidelines, including the prudential indicators had been complied with.

 

            RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

MINUTES ISSUED: 16^th May 2008

CALL IN:  23^rd May 2008

Any matter decided by the Executive Board Sub Committee may be called in no later than 23^rd May 2008