Decision details

Reason for urgency: The item was included on the published plan giving 28 days notice however due to the item containing ‘exempt’ information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the report should be restricted. The Chairman of Overview and Scrutiny Committee has been consulted and has agreed to the issue being considered in private, having had regard to the urgency and the financially sensitive nature of the report.

The Head of Regeneration and Housing and Interim Shared Community Partnerships and Recreation Manager submitted an exempt report which update the Executive on the delivery of services contracted to Banbury Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) and requested an extension of the contract for a further 2 years as per the original contract.

Resolved

(1)          That the extension of the current CAB contract by a further 2 years from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2017, such an extension being contained within the original contract award, be approved.

Reasons

It is anticipated based on contract performance to date that the CAB will have successfully delivered the required services for three years by 31 March 2015. They have complied with all the requirements of the contract offered by the Council and have worked in close contact and in partnership with Council officers. They have established bases in the three main centres of the District as well as offering home visits, telephone advice and an email service to ensure they are accessible to all clients both in employment and those with multiple needs. They are a well-known brand offering quality marked specialist advice which the general public trust.

A contract extension will provide further time for the Council to explore how it may wish to re-engineer advice services for the District. It will provide an opportunity to research how we may be able to work in closer partnership to commission services and give consideration to providing increased value for money in due course.

Alternative Options

Option: Not to extend the Contracts and for the services to be discontinued. This would lead to loss of these three vital services across the District.