Issue - meetings

[To be Introduced by the Leader of the Council. Report of the Deputy Chief Executive.] This report details the outcome of an open tender process for the award of contracts to provide Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) Services.  New contracts will be awarded in 4 lots.

Councillor Morton remained absent for this item following his earlier declaration of interest.

The Leader introduced the report which detailed the outcome of an open tender process for the award of contracts to provide Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) Services. New contracts would be awarded in 4 lots.

Cabinet noted that effective IAG plays a vital role in prevention and early intervention and the reduction of health inequalities, as well as promoting self-help and empowerment, with a number of other benefits to residents of Haringey.

The Leader further referred to an addendum which had been tabled and set out the amended titles of the four lots of contracts which were being put forward. Cabinet were also asked to note at page 487, section 6.11, the Total scores out of 1000 points for Haringey Citizen’s Advice Bureau should read 883 instead of 888.

The Leader referred to a question from Councillor Vanier which had been put forward prior to the meeting. Cabinet noted that as part of this contract award, the Haringey Law Centre would no longer be commissioned by the Council to provide legal advice and representation to Haringey residents and Councillor Vanier was asking how these needs will be met under the new contract.

The Leader advised that the proposed new service, Haringey Citizens Advice Bureau had arrangements with legal firms to provide pro bono legal advice on a range of matters including education, housing, employment, litigation, immigration and family law.  This was an integral part of the new service which will ensure Haringey residents continue to receive high quality legal advice and support when they need it.

RESOLVED

1.    That, in accordance with CSO 9.06.1(d), to approve the award of contracts covering all 4 lots for Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) Services to Haringey Citizen’s Advice Bureau.

2.    That for each of the 4 lots, the contract be awarded for a  period of three years for a total value of £2,364,000 with the option to extend for a further one year for an additional value of £788,000.

Reasons for decision

The specification for the new IAG service has been significantly reshaped in order to ensure that it meets the Council’s strategic objectives, fits with other resident focused services and strengthens individual and community capacity to access information, advice and guidance directly. This decision is important to ensure continuity of the delivery of information, advice and guidance, albeit through a redesigned service, in Haringey and to ensure compliance with statutory requirements placed on the Council.

The recommendations as outlined above in 3.1 and 3.2 are based on the provider who scored the highest on a most economically advantageous (MEAT) basis and therefore would offer the best value to the Council in terms of quality and price.

As a result of the procurement exercise, which was carried out in accordance with the Procurement Code of Practice, it is now recommended that the successful tenderer be awarded a contract as outlined in 3.1 – 3.2 in accordance with CSO 9.06.1(d).

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