Issue - meetings

Report of Chief Finance Officer and Head of Regeneration & Housing Services

Purpose of report

To seek approval for the contract award for the provision of Debt and Money Advice services across the Cherwell District.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended to:

 1.1        Approve the award of a contract for the provision of Debt and Money advice across all areas of the Cherwell District to North Oxfordshire and South Northants Citizens Advice (formerly known as Citizens Advice Bureau). The bid includes partnership working with Bicester Citizens Advice who will provide services in Bicester and Kidlington. The contract will operate for a period of two years from 1 April 2017 and includes an option to extend the contract for a further one year from 1 April 2019.

Resolved

(1)          That the award of a contract for the provision of Debt and Money advice across all areas of the Cherwell District to North Oxfordshire and South Northants Citizens Advice (formerly known as Citizens Advice Bureau) be approved.

(2)          That it be noted that the bid includes partnership working with Bicester Citizens Advice who will provide services in Bicester and Kidlington.

(3)          That it be noted that the contract will operate for a period of two years from 1 April 2017 and includes an option to extend the contract for a further one year from 1 April 2019.

The Chief Finance Officer and Head of Regeneration and Housing Services submitted a report to seek approval for the contract award for the provision of Debt and Money Advice services across the Cherwell District.

Resolved

(1)          That the award of a contract for the provision of Debt and Money advice across all areas of the Cherwell District to North Oxfordshire and South Northants Citizens Advice (formerly known as Citizens Advice Bureau) be approved.

(2)          That it be noted that the bid includes partnership working with Bicester Citizens Advice who will provide services in Bicester and Kidlington.

(3)          That it be noted that the contract will operate for a period of two years from 1 April 2017 and includes an option to extend the contract for a further one year from 1 April 2019.

Reasons

A full OJEU Compliant procurement exercise has been undertaken

This new contract will enable the Council to ensure that impartial debt and money advice is available to all residence within the district and support key strategic aims for the council.

Alternative options

Not to approve the award of this contract. This would result in Cherwell residents having limited access to services to support with Debt and Money issues within the district. This would also potentially result in an increase in the number of people approaching the council as homeless and the district being less financially inclusive.