Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

That:

Telecare Transition

1. the need to update the Council’s telecare and out-of-hours contracts to prepare for the national analogue-to-digital switchover by January 2027, be noted;

New Telecare Contract Award (Telecare Alarm Response Centre)

2. the award of a 12-month contract (from 1 January to 31 December 2026) to Appello Smart Living Solutions Ltd via a framework, valued at £235,364, be agreed, furthermore that this includes a one-off £34,500 setup fee funded by the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) as follows:
   • £19,500 to Appello for ~6,500 connections (£3 each)
   • £15,000 to BT for transferring phone line responsibilities from Anchor to the Council

an optional 1-year extension, with authority delegated to the Corporate Director of Adult Social Care & Health, allowing time for a full tender process, be approved.

Out-of-Hours Contact Centre

3. The Chief Operating Officer, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation, be given delegated authority to approve a new contract following market engagement and final proposals.

Extension of Current Anchor Contract

4. a single tender extension of the current contract with Anchor Hanover Group Ltd for both telecare and out-of-hours services from 4 September to 31 December 2025, with monthly extensions possible up to 31 March 2026, be approved, noting the estimated value: £91,620 to £160,545, depending on end date. Furthermore, delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Adult Social Care & Health, be approved, for any extensions as needed during the transition.

Equipment Purchasing Extensions

5. the current contracts for purchasing Technology Enabled Care (TEC) equipment be extended via framework until 31 December 2026, funded by DFG at £360,000 per year as follows:
   • LEGRAND ELECTRIC LTD – up to £50,000
   • CHIPTECH INTERNATIONAL – up to £270,000
   • APPELLO SMART LIVING SOLUTIONS LTD – up to £15,000
   • TUNSTALL HEALTHCARE (UK) LTD – up to £25,000

Furthermore, it should be noted that these extensions support the transition of the Alarm Response Centre, provide sufficient time for a competitive tender process, and reflect current operational requirements. They will be closely monitored to ensure they remain within budget, and that to ensure full transition takes place, authority be delegated for a further one-year extension, up to 31 December 2027, to the Corporate Director of Adult Social Care & Health, if needed, to complete the full tender process.

Reasons for decision

The Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care introduced a report and recommendations, which Cabinet agreed, on the various contractual decisions required to progress and future proof telecare monitoring and out-of-hours call answering services due to the expiry of the current contractual arrangements and the imperative to transition services in light of the national digital switchover by January 2027.

The Leader of the Council remarked how this would lead to exciting opportunities in supporting residents to live independent lives.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet considered a range of alternative contractual options as set out in the confidential report.